Question

Solve the equation.\(e^{2 x}=e^{3 x-1}\)

Short answer

The solution to the equation \(e^{2x} = e^{3x - 1}\) is \(x = 1\).

Step-by-step solution

Set the Exponents Equal

Since both sides of the equation have the same base (\(e\) - Euler's number), we set the exponents equal to each other. Thus, we get: \(2x = 3x - 1\).

Simplify the Equation

Next, we simplify the equation to solve for \(x\). We get \(x\) by itself by subtracting \(3x\) from both sides, which gives: \(-x = -1\).

Solve for x

Finally, we find the value of \(x\) by multiplying both sides by \(-1\). This gives the solution: \(x = 1\).

Key concepts

Euler's Number

Euler's number, often symbolized as \(e\), is a fundamental constant in mathematics, approximately equal to 2.71828. It's the base of natural logarithms and is pivotal in the field of calculus, specifically in the context of continuous compounding interest and the growth of processes. When dealing with equations involving \(e\), it's important to understand that like any base with equal exponents on both sides of an equation, certain rules apply - which leads us seamlessly into how to solve exponential equations utilizing this unique number.

In the context of the textbook exercise, \(e^{2x} = e^{3x-1}\), Euler's number is the common base. Hence, the solution involves comparing the exponents of \(e\) because of the property that if \(e^a = e^b\), then \(a = b\). Recognizing this can simplify the process of solving equations dramatically.

Exponents

Exponents represent the power to which a number is raised. In algebra, they are used to express repeated multiplication of a base by itself. For example, \(5^3\) means \(5 \times 5 \times 5\). When solving exponential equations, one key principle is that if the bases are the same, you can set the exponents equal to each other to solve for the unknown variable.

This principle is directly applied in the provided exercise. Since the equation is in the form \(e^{2x} = e^{3x-1}\), we can safely equate \(2x\) to \(3x-1\) without considering the actual value of \(e\). Equating exponents is an essential technique for simplifying and solving equations in algebra.

Algebraic Manipulation

Algebraic manipulation involves rearranging and simplifying equations to solve for unknown variables. The goal is to isolate the variable of interest, often using operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division applied uniformly to both sides of the equation.

In our example equation, we begin with subtracting \(3x\) from both sides to move all terms containing \(x\) to one side. By performing \(2x - 3x = 3x - 1 - 3x\), we get \( -x = -1\). Then, to isolate \(x\), we multiply by \( -1\), yielding \(x = 1\) as the final solution. Proper algebraic manipulation is essential to solve a wide array of mathematical problems, from simple linear equations to more complex polynomial expressions.