solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
Solving Exponential Equations:
solving the EXPONENT
Lesson Objectives:
• students will learn how to solve the exponent using 3 methods
trial and error
graphical method
algebraic method -- common base
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solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
What is an EXPONENTIAL EQUATION:
• the exponent is the VARIABLE
• has an equal sign
• SOLVING the value of the exponent that makes the equation true
Examples of Exponential Equations
2x = 32
9x+1 = 27x
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solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
METHOD 1:
Finding a COMMON BASE to solve for an exponent
Rewrite the following as POWERS with a base of 2
Rewrite the following as POWERS with a base of 3
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solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
METHOD 1: Finding a COMMON BASE to solve for an exponent
• some exponential equations can be solved by writing both sides of
the equation as POWERS with the SAME BASE
to use this method:
• set both sides of the equation to powers with same base
• equate the exponents -- set the exponents equal to each other
• solve as required
Example:
Always check your answers by
SUBSTITUTING solution back into original
equation -- correct if LS = RS
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solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
Solve the following equations.
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solving exponential equations grade 12.notebook
December 02, 2011
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