To Solve an Exponential Equation:

I. Use the 1-1 Property if both sides of the equation are powers that

have the same base (or if you can rewrite the powers so they do

have the same base).

1. If both sides of the equation have the same base, or you can

rewrite the powers so they do have the same base, then to

solve the equation, set the exponents equal to each other.

Example:

II. If the equation is in the form (a power equal a number(

(for example: ), then change the equation from exponential form to logarithmic form. Then solve for x.

Example:

(this is the answer)

III. If the equation is in the form of , (a power equals a power)

(for example: ), take the log or ln of both sides of the equation, use the properties of logarithms and perform the algebraic simplifying techniques to solve for the variable.

Example: