SOLUTION: Solve the given exponential equation. 5^(|x| − 1) = 125

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Question 958316: Solve the given exponential equation.
5^(|x| − 1) = 125
Answer by LinnW(1048) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
take the log of each side
log(5^|x|-1) = log(125)
(|x-1|)*log(5) = log(5^3)
(|x-1|)*log(5) = 3*log(5)
divide each side by log(5)
(|x-1|) = 3
x-1 = 3 or x-1 = -3
x-1 = 3
add 1 to each side
x = 4
x-1 = -3
add 1 to each side
x = -2