5-3 Exponential and

Logarithmic Equations
Unit 5 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Concepts and Objectives

Exponential and Logarithmic Equations (Obj. #17)

Identify e and ln x.

Use the Change-of-Base Theorem to find

approximations of logarithms in other bases.

Set up and solve exponential and logarithmic
equations.
e

Suppose that $1 is invested at 100% interest per year,
compounded n times per year.

According to the formula, the compound amount at
the end of 1 year will be n
 1 
A = 1 + 
 n

As n increases, the value of A gets closer to some fixed
number, which is called e.

e is approximately 2.718281828.

Blind Date
Natural Logarithms

Logarithms with base e are called natural logarithms,
since they occur in the life sciences and economics in
natural situations that involve growth and decay.

The base e logarithm of x is written ln x.

Therefore, e and ln x are inverse functions.
e ln x = ln e x = x
Change-of-Base Theorem

For any positive real numbers x, a, and b,

where a ≠ 1 and b ≠ 1:
log b x
log a x =
log b a

Example: Find an approximation to four decimal places

for the logarithm log2 .7
log10 .7
log 2 .7 = ≈ −0.5146
log10 2
Exponential Equations

If x > 0, y > 0, a > 0, and a ≠ 1, then

x = y if and only if logax = logay

Example: Solve 32 x −1 = .4 x +2 . Round to the nearest

thousandth.
log32 x −1 = log.4 x +2
(2x − 1) log3 = ( x + 2) log.4
2x log3 − log3 = x log.4 + 2log.4
2x log3 − x log.4 = 2log.4 + log3
x ( 2log3 − log.4 ) = 2log.4 + log3
2log.4 + log3
x= ≈ −0.236
2log3 − log.4
Properties of Logs, Revisited

You could also solve this as
2log.4 + log3
x=
2log3 − log.4
log.42 + log3
=
log32 − log.4
log ( .16 i 3)
=
9 This is an
log  
 .4  exact answer.
log.48
=
log22.5
Solving a Logarithmic Equation

Example: Solve log ( x + 6 ) − log ( x + 2) = log x
x +6
log = log x
x +2
x +6
=x
x +2
x + 6 = x ( x + 2)
x + 6 = x 2 + 2x
0 = x2 + x − 6
x2 + x − 6 = 0
( x + 3)( x − 2) = 0
x = −3, 2
Solving a Base e Equation
x2

Example: Solve e = 200 and round your answer to the
nearest thousandth.
x2
ln e = ln200
x 2 = ln200
x = ± ln200
x ≈ ±2.302
Solving a Base e Equation

Example: Solve ln e ln x − ln ( x − 3) = ln2
ln e ln x − ln ( x − 3) = ln2
ln x − ln ( x − 3) = ln2
x
ln = ln2
x −3
x
=2
x −3
x = 2x − 6
6=x
Homework

College Algebra

Page 457: 62-72 (even), 78, 80

Turn in: 66, 68

Page 464: 6-54 (×3s), 72-83 (×3s)

Turn in: 12, 18, 36, 48, 75, 81