Exponential Equations

The link above will take you to the Pre-Calculus site on Logarithms. Logaritms is a tool we use to solve exponential equations. As with all of our other studies, we will begin with graphing exponential equations, then we will move to solving them for particular values.

Graphing an exponential equation will be just like graphing any other equation we have studied so far. You can start with a table of values. Eventually we will notice some patterns and be able to graph by inspection of the equation. Let's start with a few characteristics of all exponential equations.

1.They pass through the point (0,1).
2.D: {all real numbers}
3.R: (0, ∞)
4.They have y=0 as an asymptote.

Of course we can apply other translations to exponential functions just as we have with every other function we have studied. I strongly recommend completing example 2 in the module to get a feel for the other types of translations.

Once we have developed some comfort with these equations we will begin to solve for x. We have already seen this type of question (take a look at example 1) by finding a common base. Try the following one if you like.



After we are familiar with exponential equations and their graphs we will solve equations that do not have a common base.