Solving Exponential

Equations and
Inequalities
 Ask students which of the following are
exponential equations.
a) 49 = 7
𝑥+1

b) 7 = 2x + 3

c) 3 = 3
𝑥 2𝑥 −1

d) 5
𝑥 −1 = 125

e) 8x = 𝑥 - 9
2

f) 𝑥 = 3𝑥 + 2x -1
2 3

g) 2x + 3 > x – 1

h) 2
𝑥 −2 > 8
Some exponential equations can be solved by using
the fact that exponential functions are one-to-one.

One-to-one Property of Exponential Functions

If X1 ≠ X2, then 𝑏 x1 ≠ 𝑏x2 . Conversely, if 𝑏 x1 = 𝑏x2
then X1 = X2.
Teaching Tip:

One strategy to solve exponential equations is to write both sides of the

equation as powers of the same base.
Example # 1: Solve the equation 4𝑥−1 = 16.

Example # 2: Solve the equation 125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3

𝑥2
Example # 3: Solve the equation 9 = 3𝑥+3
Exponential inequalities can be solved using the
following property.
Property of Exponential Inequalities
If b > 1, then the exponential function y = 𝑏 𝑥 is increasing for all x. This
means that 𝑏 𝑥 < 𝑏 𝑦 if and only if x < y.

If 0 < b < 1, then the exponential function y = 𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing for all x.

This means that 𝑏 𝑥 < 𝑏 𝑦 if and only if x < y.

Teaching Tip:

Be careful when solving exponential inequalities such as 𝑏𝑚 < 𝑏𝑛 . The

resulting direction of the inequality (m < n or m > n) is based on whether
the base b is greater than 1 or less than 1.
Example # 1: Solve the inequality 3𝑥 < 9𝑥 −2 .

1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
Example # 2: Solve the inequality ( ) ≥ ( )
10 100
Seatwork:
John and Peter are solving (0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.36)−𝑥 −1 .
Did anyone get the correct solution? If not, spot the
error or errors.
John Peter
(0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.36)−𝑥 −1 (0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.36)−𝑥 −1
(0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.62 ) −𝑥 −1 (0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.62 ) −𝑥 −1
(0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.6)2 (−𝑥 −1) (0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.6)2 (−𝑥 −1)
(0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.6)−2𝑥 −2 (0.6)𝑥 −3 >(0.6)−2𝑥 −2
X – 3 > -2x -2 X – 3 < -2x -2
3x > 1 3x < 1
1 1
x> x<
3 3
Activity: Solve for x .
1). 162𝑥 −3 = 4𝑥+2

Hint: Write as 2−1

1 2𝑥 1
2). ( ) =2 3 −𝑥
2 2

3). 42𝑥+7 ≤ 322𝑥−3

Hint: Write
2 5𝑥 −1 25 25 2 −2
4). ( ) ≥ as ( )
5 4 4 5
Evaluation: Solve for x.
a) 7
𝑥+4
= 492𝑥−1

b) 4𝑥+2 = 82𝑥

2 3
c) ( )5𝑥+2 = ( )2𝑥
3 2