Section 5.

6
Logarithmic and
Exponential Equations
Recall:
 Solve: log 3 4 2 log 3 x
log 3 4 log 3 x 2

4 x2

x 2 or x 2

Reminder: The domain of logarithmic functions is positive

numbers only so check for extraneous solutions.
Solve: log 2 x 2 log 2 1 x 1
log 2 x 2 1 x 1

2 x 2 1 x

2 x2 x 2

x2 x 0

x x 1 0
Both solutions are in the
x 0 or x 1 domain of the log functions.
Recall:
Solve: 3 7
x

ln 3 ln 7
x

x ln 3 ln 7

ln 7
x 1.771
ln 3
Solve: 5 2 x 3
3
2
x

5
3
ln 2 ln
x

3
x ln 2 ln
5
3
ln
x 5
0.737
ln 2
Solve: 2 x 1 52 x 3
x 1 2 x 3
ln 2 ln 5

x 1 ln 2 2 x 3 ln 5
x ln 2 ln 2 2 x ln 5 3ln 5
x ln 2 2 x ln 5 3ln 5 ln 2
x ln 2 2 ln 5 3ln 5 ln 2
3ln 5 ln 2
x 2.186
ln 2 2 ln 5
Solve: 9 x 3x 6 0

Note that 9 = 3
2
x x
so the equation is quadratic in form.

u2 u 6 0 u 3x and u 2 = 9 x
u 3 u 2 0
u 3 or u 2

3x 3 or 3x 2 3x 0 for all x

x 1
Homework:

#s 5, 6, 7, 33, 34, 35, 61, 62, 63

Quiz on 5.6 next class!!!