1. Lesson 2

Mathematics 30-2 Module 7

Module 7: Exponents and Logarithms

 

Lesson 2: Solving Exponential Equations

 

Focus

 

This is a photo of E. coli bacteria in a Petri dish.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that can live almost anywhere. Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the lower intestine of people. Most strains of E. coli are helpful, but some strains can cause food poisoning. In ideal conditions, in a Petri dish, E. coli will double in number approximately every 20 minutes. Exponential equations can be used to predict when the E. coli population will reach a given number.

 

In Lesson 1 you examined graphing exponential functions. In this lesson you will explore solving exponential equations.

 

Lesson Outcomes

 

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to

  • determine the solution of an exponential equation in which the bases are powers of one another
  • solve problems that involve loans and investments
Lesson Question


You will investigate the following question: How can exponential equations be used to solve problems involving growth and decay?

 

Assessment


Your assessment may be based on a combination of the following tasks:

  • completion of the Lesson 2 Assignment (Download the Lesson 2 Assignment and save it in your course folder now.)
  • course folder submissions from Try This and Share activities
  • additions to Glossary Terms and Formula Sheet
  • work under Project Connection