SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

Note:

• To solve an exponential equation, isolate the exponential term, take the logarithm of both sides and solve.

If you would like an in-depth review of exponents, the rules of exponents, exponential functions and exponential equations, click on exponential function.

Solve for x in the following equation.

Example 3:

The first step is to isolate the expression .

Subtract 100 from both sides of the equation.

Divide both sides of the equation by 100.

There is no values of x where the expression can equal zero. Therefore, this equation has no real solution.

You can also check your answer by graphing (formed by subtracting the right side of the original equation from the left side). Look to see where the graph crosses the x-axis; that will be the real solution. Note that the graph never crosses the x-axis. This means that there are no real solutions.

If you would like to work another example, click on Example

If you would like to test yourself by working some problems similar to this example, click on Problem

If you would like to go back to the equation table of contents, click on Contents

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