Chapter 4: Problem 7
Solve each exponential equation. Express irrational solutions as decimals correct to the nearest thousandth. $$\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{x}=5$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
x ≈ -2.321
Step by step solution
01
Rewrite the equation
Rewrite the given equation \(\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)^x = 5\) in logarithmic form to make it easier to solve for \(x\).
02
Apply logarithms
Take the natural logarithm (ln) on both sides of the equation:\( \text{ln}\bigg(\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)^x\bigg) = \text{ln}(5) \)
03
Use logarithm properties
Use the power rule of logarithms, which states \( \text{ln}(a^b) = b \text{ln}(a) \), to move \(x\) in front of the natural logarithm:\( x \text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) = \text{ln}(5) \)
04
Solve for x
Isolate \(x\) by dividing both sides of the equation by \( \text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) \):\( x = \frac{\text{ln}(5)}{\text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)} \)
05
Calculate the logarithms
Use a calculator to find the approximate values of the logarithms:\(\text{ln}(5) \approx 1.609 \) and \(\text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) \approx -0.693 \)
06
Find the value of x
Divide the values to find \(x\):\( x \approx \frac{1.609}{-0.693} \approx -2.321 \)
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
logarithmic form
To effectively solve exponential equations, converting them into logarithmic form is a helpful strategy. Logarithmic form is another way to write an equation and makes certain kinds of mathematical operations easier. For the equation \(\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)^x = 5\), we can rewrite it in logarithmic form as \(\text{log}_{\frac{1}{2}}(5) = x\). This says that \(\frac{1}{2}\) raised to the power of \(x\) equals \(5\). Rewriting the equation in this form is essential for further simplifications.
natural logarithm
A natural logarithm, denoted as \( \text{ln} \), is a logarithm with the base \( e\), where \( e \) is an irrational and transcendental number approximately equal to 2.71828. We often use the natural logarithm because it has many convenient mathematical properties. For our equation, \( \text{ln}\bigg(\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)^x\bigg) = \text{ln}(5) \), applying the natural logarithm simplifies handling the exponential part.
power rule of logarithms
The power rule of logarithms is a key property that helps to solve equations involving exponents. It states that \( \text{ln}(a^b) = b \text{ln}(a) \). It allows us to bring the exponent to the front of the logarithm. In our problem, we get \( x \text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) = \text{ln}(5) \), making it easier to solve for \( x \) by isolating it.
irrational solutions
When solving logarithmic or exponential equations, we sometimes get irrational solutions. These solutions can't be expressed as exact fractions but instead as non-repeating and non-terminating decimals. For our given problem, \( x = \frac{\text{ln}(5)}{\text{ln}\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg)} \), results in an approximate value: \( x \) roughly equals -2.321 when the logarithms are calculated and divided. This is an irrational solution, which we must often approximate to a certain decimal place for practical use.