Solving Equations with e and ln x

We know that the natural log function ln(x) is defined so that if ln(a) = b then
eb = a. The common log function log(x) has the property that if log(c) = d then
10d = c. It’s possible to define a logarithmic function logb (x) for any positive
base b so that logb (e) = f implies bf = e. In practice, we rarely see bases other
than 2, 10 and e.
Solve for y:

1. ln(y + 1) + ln(y − 1) = 2x + ln x
2. log(y + 1) = x2 + log(y − 1)
3. 2 ln y = ln(y + 1) + x

Solve for x (hint: put u = ex , solve first for u):

Solutions
1. ln(y + 1) + ln(y − 1) = 2x + ln x.
This equation involves natural logs. We apply the inverse ex of the func-
tion ln(x) to both sides to “undo” the natural logs.

ln(y + 1) + ln(y − 1) = 2x + ln x
ln(y+1)+ln(y−1)
e = e2x+ln x
ln(y+1) ln(y−1)
e ·e = e2x · eln x
(y + 1) · (y − 1) = e2x · x
y2 − 1 = xe2x
2
y = xe2x + 1
p
y = ± xe2x + 1

We know that we cannot take the natural log of a negative number (or
equation contains the expression ln(y − 1). Therefore, the
of 0), and our √
solution y = − xe2x + 1 is not valid. Our final solution is:
p
y = xe2x + 1.

2. log(y + 1) = x2 + log(y − 1).

1
 log(y + 1) = x2 + log(y − 1)
2
10log(y+1) = 10x +log(y−1)
2
y+1 = 10x · 10log(y−1)
2
y+1 = 10x · (y − 1)
2 2
y+1 = 10x y − 10x
2 2
y − 10x y = −1 − 10x
2 2
y(1 − 10x ) = −1 − 10x
2
−1 − 10x −1
y = ·
1 − 10x2 −1
2
10x + 1
y =
10x2 − 1
2
10x +1
It’s a good idea to check our work by plugging y = 10x2 −1
back into the
original equation.
3. 2 ln y = ln(y + 1) + x.
Once again, we apply the inverse function ex to both sides. We could
use the identity e2 ln y = (eln y )2 or we could handle the coefficient of 2 as
shown below.

2 ln y = ln(y + 1) + x
ln y 2 = ln(y + 1) + x
2
eln y = eln(y+1) · ex
2
y = (y + 1) · ex
y 2 − ex · y − ex = 0

This is a second degree polynomial in y; the fact that some of the coeffi-
cients are functions of x should not slow us down. Applying the quadratic
formula we get:
p
ex ± (−ex )2 − 4 · 1 · (−ex )
y =
√ 2·1
ex ± e2x + 4ex
y = .
2
√ √
Our original equation is valid only for y > 0, and e2x + 4ex > e2x = ex ,
so our final answer is:
√
ex + e2x + 4ex
y= .
2

2
 The best way to check our work here might be to choose some simple values
for x and evaluate both sides of the original equation using a calculator.
ex + e−x
4. = y.
ex − e−x
We start by applying the hint, letting u = ex .

ex + e−x
= y
ex − e−x
ex + e1x
= y
ex − e1x
1
u+ u
1 = y
u− u
1
u+ u u
1 · = y
u− u
u
2
u +1
= y
u2 − 1
u2 + 1 = y(u2 − 1)
u2 − yu2 = −y − 1
u2 (1 − y) −(y + 1)
=
y+1
u2 =
y−1
r
y+1
u = ±
y−1

Because u = ex is always positive, we now have:

In the previous problems, the variable we were solving for was part of the
input to a logarithmic function; we isolated it by using the exponential
inverse of that logarithmic function. In this problem our variable is the
input to an exponential function and we isolate it by using the logarithmic
function with the same base.
r
x y+1
e =
y−1
r 
x y+1
ln(e ) = ln
y−1
" 1 #
y+1 2
x = ln
y−1

3
  
1 y+1
x = ln
2 y−1
1
x = (ln(y + 1) − ln(y − 1))
2
There are many equivalent correct answers to this question. The best
answer is the one that is easiest for you to use and understand.
q
y+1
It is relatively simple to check that ex = y−1 is correct by plugging in
to the original equation. We might check our final answer by plugging it
into this equation rather than the original.
Note that our solution only works for y > 1. If y < −1 we can substitute
v = −x to see that:
ev + e−v
= −y > 1.
ev − e−v
An identical calculation then yields:
1
v = (ln((−y) + 1) − ln((−y) − 1))
2
1
x = − (ln(−y + 1) − ln(−y − 1)).
2
5. y = ex + e−x .
Again we begin by applying the hint u = ex . We solve for u either by
completing the square or by using the quadratic formula.
y = ex + e−x
1
y = u+
u
y · u = u2 + 1
u2 − yu + 1 = 0
p
y± (−y)2 − 4 · 1 · 1
u =
p 2·1
y ± y2 − 4
u =
2
We now replace u by ex and use the inverse function ln x to complete the
calculation.
p
y ± y2 − 4
u =
p2
y ± y2 − 4
ex =
2 !
p
y ± y2 − 4
x = ln
2
p
x = ln(y ± y 2 − 4) − ln(2)