An exponential equation has one or more terms that has a variable exponent. In this lesson, you will explore both algebraic and graphical methods for solving this type of equation.
To solve an exponential equation algebraically, use the following property. For b > 0 and b ≠1, if bx = by, then x = y. In other words, if the terms in the equation have the same base, the exponents can be set to equal each other. To do this, you must be able to write both sides of an exponential equation with a common base. Example 1 demonstrates how to do this using some of the exponential properties reviewed in Highlights.
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