Equations with Exponents

Things one must know:

• Equations that involve variables with even exponents can have two solutions: both a positive and a negative solution.
• If exponential expressions appear on both sides of the equation, rewrite the bases so that either the same base or the same exponent appears on both sides of the exponential equation. You can then eliminate the identical bases and rewrite the exponents as an equation. Be careful if 0, 1, or -1 is the base.
  
• Square both sides of the equation to solve problems that involve variables underneath radical symbols. Be sure to check the solution in the original equation.