Some tricky exponentioal equations

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Homework Statement


e^(4x-5)=9e^(x+5)

Homework Equations



log rules

The Attempt at a Solution



I have tried this one a few times using slightly different methods and getting 2 answers and neither of them seem to be working when i plug them back into the equation.

Here is my first method...

1. Divide out the e^(x+5) so i get e^(4x-5)/e^(x+5) = 9

2. Take the natural log of everything so i end up with

(4x-5)lne/(x+5)lne = ln 9

3. After doing the algebra i got the answer to be 8.87 (rounded to 3 sig figs), but it wasnt checking out when i plugged it back into the equation

Here is my second method...

1. I just started going crazy with the natural logs getting

(4x-5)lne - (x+5) ln 9e

The ln9e don't quite sit right with me tho, however after doing the algebra i get x=-10, this doesn't seem to check out either...please help!

Homework Statement



(3^7x)(27^x)=9

Homework Equations



logs

The Attempt at a Solution



Alright well since i know that they are all powers of 3 i changed the bases so the equation became

(3^7x)((3^3)x)=3^2

Then i just looked at the exponents and ended up with

21x^2 = 2

Did the algebra and this one isn't working in the orignal equation either >.<
 
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xortan said:

Homework Statement


e^(4x-5)=9e^(x+5)


Homework Equations



log rules

The Attempt at a Solution



I have tried this one a few times using slightly different methods and getting 2 answers and neither of them seem to be working when i plug them back into the equation.

Here is my first method...

1. Divide out the e^(x+5) so i get e^(4x-5)/e^(x+5) = 9

2. Take the natural log of everything so i end up with

(4x-5)lne/(x+5)lne = ln 9
This part is incorrect. The natural log doesn't quite work like that. Before you take natural logs, you'll want to simplify:
[tex] \frac{e^{4x-5}}{e^{x+5}} = e^{(4x - 5) - (x + 5)} = e^{3x - 10}[/tex]
Then you have e^(3x-10) = 9, and you can take the ln of both sides there.

3. After doing the algebra i got the answer to be 8.87 (rounded to 3 sig figs), but it wasnt checking out when i plugged it back into the equation

Here is my second method...

1. I just started going crazy with the natural logs getting

(4x-5)lne - (x+5) ln 9e

The ln9e don't quite sit right with me tho, however after doing the algebra i get x=-10, this doesn't seem to check out either...please help!

Homework Statement



(3^7x)(27^x)=9

Homework Equations



logs


The Attempt at a Solution



Alright well since i know that they are all powers of 3 i changed the bases so the equation became

(3^7x)((3^3)x)=3^2

Then i just looked at the exponents and ended up with

21x^2 = 2
Seems a little fishy here. You changed everything to base 3 right, but then you should get:
[tex] 3^{7x} \cdot (3^3)^x = 3^{7x} \cdot 3^{3x} = 3^{7x + 3x} = 3^{10x}[/tex]

So then 3^(10x) = 3^2, which means x = ...

Did the algebra and this one isn't working in the orignal equation either >.<
 
Thank you so much it just clicked..

I LOVE this site, got my finals right around the corner and this was only problem i was having with exponentioals, thank you i should be able to complete the rest of my assignment with ease :D
 
aye, no problem.. good luck!