Not rewriting the equation in terms of a common base

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 66 views

Introduction

Exponential equations are a fundamental concept in mathematics, and solving them requires a deep understanding of algebraic manipulations and properties of exponents. In this article, we will focus on solving the equation $$49^{3x} = 343^{2x+1}$$ by rewriting each side of the equation in terms of a common base. This will allow us to use the properties of exponents to simplify the equation and solve for the variable x.

Understanding Exponents

Before we dive into solving the equation, let's take a moment to review the basics of exponents. An exponent is a small number that is raised to a power, indicating how many times the base is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression $$a^b$$, a is the base and b is the exponent. The value of the expression is equal to the base raised to the power of the exponent, i.e., $$a^b = a \times a \times a \times ... \times a$$ (b times).

Rewriting the Equation

To solve the equation $$49^{3x} = 343^{2x+1}$$, we need to rewrite each side of the equation in terms of a common base. Let's start by factoring the bases on each side of the equation.

The base 49 can be factored as $$7^2$$.
The base 343 can be factored as $$7^3$$.

Now, let's rewrite the equation using these factored bases:

\left(7^2\right)^{3x} = \left(7^3\right)^{2x+1}

Using the property of exponents that states $$(a^b)c = a^{bc}$$, we can simplify the equation as follows:

7^{6x} = 7^{6x+3}

Simplifying the Equation

Now that we have rewritten the equation in terms of a common base, we can use the properties of exponents to simplify it further. Let's start by equating the exponents on each side of the equation:

6x = 6x+3

Subtracting 6x from both sides of the equation gives us:

0 = 3

This is a contradiction, as the left-hand side of the equation is equal to 0 and the right-hand side is equal to 3. Therefore, the original equation $$49^{3x} = 343^{2x+1}$$ has no solution.

Conclusion

In this article, we solved the equation $$49^{3x} = 343^{2x+1}$$ by rewriting each side of the equation in terms of a common base. We used the properties of exponents to simplify the equation and ultimately found that the original equation has no solution. This demonstrates the importance of carefully rewriting and simplifying exponential equations before attempting to solve them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When solving exponential equations, there are several common mistakes to avoid. Here are a few:

Not rewriting the equation in terms of a common base: This can make it difficult to use the properties of exponents to simplify the equation.
Not using the properties of exponents correctly: For example, not using the property $$(a^b)c = a^{bc}$$ can lead to incorrect simplifications.
Not checking for contradictions: In the example above, we found that the equation had no solution because it led to a contradiction. It's essential to check for contradictions when solving exponential equations.

Real-World Applications

Exponential equations have numerous real-world applications in fields such as finance, science, and engineering. For example:

Compound interest: Exponential equations can be used to model the growth of investments over time, taking into account the effects of compound interest.
Population growth: Exponential equations can be used to model the growth of populations, taking into account factors such as birth rates and death rates.
Chemical reactions: Exponential equations can be used to model the rates of chemical reactions, taking into account factors such as the concentrations of reactants and products.

Final Thoughts

Q: What is an exponential equation?

A: An exponential equation is an equation that contains an exponent, which is a small number that is raised to a power, indicating how many times the base is multiplied by itself.

Q: How do I solve an exponential equation?

A: To solve an exponential equation, you need to rewrite each side of the equation in terms of a common base. Then, use the properties of exponents to simplify the equation and solve for the variable x.

Q: What are some common properties of exponents that I should know?

A: Here are some common properties of exponents that you should know:

Product of powers: $a^b \times a^c = a^{b+c}$
Power of a power: $(a^b)^c = a^{bc}$
Power of a product: $(ab)^c = a^c \times b^c$
Zero exponent: $a^0 = 1$

Q: How do I rewrite an exponential equation in terms of a common base?

A: To rewrite an exponential equation in terms of a common base, you need to factor the bases on each side of the equation. Then, use the factored bases to rewrite the equation.

Q: What is a common base?

A: A common base is a base that is shared by both sides of the equation. For example, in the equation $49^{3x} = 343^{2x+1}$ , the common base is 7.

Q: How do I use the properties of exponents to simplify an exponential equation?

A: To use the properties of exponents to simplify an exponential equation, you need to apply the properties in the correct order. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Rewrite the equation in terms of a common base.
Use the product of powers property to combine like terms.
Use the power of a power property to simplify the equation.
Use the power of a product property to simplify the equation.
Use the zero exponent property to simplify the equation.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving exponential equations?

A: Here are some common mistakes to avoid when solving exponential equations:

Not rewriting the equation in terms of a common base: This can make it difficult to use the properties of exponents to simplify the equation.
Not using the properties of exponents correctly: For example, not using the property $$(a^b)c = a^{bc}$$ can lead to incorrect simplifications.
Not checking for contradictions: In the example above, we found that the equation had no solution because it led to a contradiction. It's essential to check for contradictions when solving exponential equations.

Q: How do I check for contradictions when solving exponential equations?

A: To check for contradictions when solving exponential equations, you need to look for equations that are impossible to solve. For example, if you have an equation that states that 0 equals a non-zero number, then the equation has no solution.

Q: What are some real-world applications of exponential equations?

A: Exponential equations have numerous real-world applications in fields such as finance, science, and engineering. For example:

Compound interest: Exponential equations can be used to model the growth of investments over time, taking into account the effects of compound interest.
Population growth: Exponential equations can be used to model the growth of populations, taking into account factors such as birth rates and death rates.
Chemical reactions: Exponential equations can be used to model the rates of chemical reactions, taking into account factors such as the concentrations of reactants and products.

Q: How do I practice solving exponential equations?

A: To practice solving exponential equations, you can try the following:

Work through practice problems: Try solving exponential equations with different bases and exponents.
Use online resources: There are many online resources available that can help you practice solving exponential equations, such as video tutorials and practice problems.
Join a study group: Joining a study group can be a great way to practice solving exponential equations with others.

Q: What are some tips for solving exponential equations?

A: Here are some tips for solving exponential equations:

Read the problem carefully: Make sure you understand what the problem is asking for.
Use the properties of exponents correctly: Make sure you apply the properties of exponents in the correct order.
Check for contradictions: Make sure you check for contradictions when solving exponential equations.
Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice solving exponential equations, the more comfortable you will become with the process.