Algebra 2 Honors Day 20 Lesson 

Friday, March 20th, F Block (9:20-10:35) and E Block (1:30-2:45) 

 
Lesson objectives: Solving Exponential/Log Equations 
 
Lesson plan at a Glance:  
1. Attendance/check in (5 min) - ZOOM 
2. HW Review (15 min) - ZOOM 
3. Log Properties - Change of Base, Inverse (10 min) - ZOOM 
4. Log Mad Minute #31-60 (10 min) - INDEPENDENT / ZOOM 
5. Solving exponential/log equations (30 min) - ZOOM / BREAKOUT ROOMS 
6. Exit Ticket (5 min) - INDEPENDENT 
 
Homework:  
1. Complete the attached worksheet Solving Exponential & Log Equations. 
2. Prepare for a quiz on Exponential Functions. This assessment will be given through Desmos and your 
answers will be submitted online, but you will use paper and pencil to do the work that supports your 
answers. The quiz is designed to be taken individually, but you will be allowed to use your notes, online 
resources, and classmates if you are stuck. 
 
 
 
1. Attendance/check in (5 min) - ZOOM 
● Thank you all for your participation last class! I felt like I learned a lot about how to use the 
technology we have available in order to keep the class moving. I was especially appreciative of 
your feedback about how class went and how to make it better. Today, I’m going to incorporate 
using breakout rooms for some small group work. 
● One note about minimizing distractions - I ask you to consider which other windows you have 
open in the background (group chat, other video chat, etc.) that may be keeping you from being 
fully present in our class. I also ask you, if you are using the Zoom feature that lets you green 
screen your own background, to choose something that does not distract others. We are all still 
here to learn, and I appreciate your willingness to help create a virtual environment that 
supports everyone. 
 
2. HW Review (15 min) - ZOOM 
● Before we start HW review, I’m going to address some of the questions you asked in your exit 
ticket from last class. 
○ What’s the deal with natural log - what’s “natural” about it? And what is e? 
○ How can I get better at mental math with logs? 
○ How do I use the TI-84 calculator to calculate logs that I can’t do with mental math? 
● I have posted my key to the HW below. Are there any problems that you all would like me to go 
over with the whole class? If so, let me know in the chat window or by asking your question 
now! 
● Please take a photo of your HW (front and back side) and send it to me via email now. If you 
have individual questions that you would like addressed, or you feel you need more practice 
with a particular concept, please let me know. 
 
 
 
3. Log Properties - Change of Base, Inverse (10 min) - ZOOM 
● Last class, you learned three important properties of logarithms. There are a few more 
properties of logarithms that you should be familiar with. One is called the Change of Base 
formula. You won’t end up using this formula TOO much, because your calculators are capable 
of evaluating logs with different bases. However, it can come in handy when you need to 
manipulate log expressions. I’ll explain it on Zoom, and you can also visit this link later if you 
want some additional explanation with examples: Logarithm change of base rule intro - Khan 
Academy 

 
 
● Another pair of helpful properties demonstrate the inverse relationship between logarithms and 
exponentials. I’ll explain on Zoom, and you can see them below. 

 
 
4. Log Mad Minute #31-60 (10 min) - INDEPENDENT / ZOOM 
● It’s time to get some more mad minute practice! I’m going to ask you all to mute your 
microphones, but please stay on the Zoom while you work independently for about 5 minutes. 
During this time, I want you to work truly independently - no side conversations or group chats. 
Please complete #31-60 on the Log Mad Minute sheet (posted on MyMA and linked here). 
● After about 5 minutes, I will check in with you all to go over a few select problems. If you aren’t 
able to get to every problem, that is okay - but please revisit this sheet as good practice to 
continue to build fluency and develop your mental math skills with logs. 
 
  
 
5. Solving exponential/log equations (30 min) - ZOOM / BREAKOUT ROOMS 
● It’s time! You all have been waiting so long to be able to solve equations with variables in the 
exponent. Now that you know a little about logs, you’re ready. 
● I’m going to give you 4 exponential equations and 4 log equations to solve (below). I’m not 
going to teach you how to approach these - for each of these equations, there are many 
different approaches that are all valid. I’m going to put you into 4 breakout groups - each group 
should share their work and ideas on the problems as you go. I’ll pop into the groups and see 
how things are going. If I need to, I might call us back together to check in about a problem. I’m 
not totally sure how this will work, but we’ll give it a go! 
● At the end, I will pull everyone together to go over a few strategies and make sure you feel 
ready to tackle your homework. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 6. Exit Ticket (5 min) - INDEPENDENT 
● Please click on the following link with today’s exit ticket and submit your responses: Algebra 2 
Honors Day 20 Exit Ticket. 
● You must submit your exit ticket by the end of class today. 
 
Homework:  
1. Complete the worksheet on Solving Exponential & Log Equations (attached on MyMA and linked here). 
2. Prepare for a quiz on Exponential Functions. This assessment will be given through Desmos and your 
answers will be submitted online, but you will use paper and pencil to do the work that supports your 
answers. The quiz is designed to be taken individually, but you will be allowed to use your notes, online 
resources, and classmates if you are stuck.