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Logarithmic equations: variable in the base

Sal solves the equation 4=log_b(81). Created by Monterey Institute for Technology and Education.

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  • mr pink red style avatar for user NIDHISH SAGAR
    I am not very sure whether this question is right but is :
    log99 = log11 + 3log3
    (5 votes)
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  • male robot hal style avatar for user Griffen Eastwood
    I know that I need to use a log function to solve this equation but I am continuing to run into trouble in understanding this problem: Solve for X
    2^(5-x)=3^(4+7x)
    If you could help me with this/direct me to a video/a similar example it would be much appreciated.
    (5 votes)
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    • spunky sam blue style avatar for user James Pearson
      As you say yourself the logarithmic function is the key,
      2^(5-x) = 3^(4+7x)
      (5-x)*log2 = (4+7x)*log3 #Log both sides
      5log2 - xlog2 = 4log3 + 7xlog3 #Multiplied out for convenience
      5log2 - 4log3 = 7xlog3 - xlog2 #Rearrangement
      5log2 - 4log3 = x(7log3-log2) #Isolate x by factorization
      (5log2 - 4log3)/(7log3-log2) = x = ?

      Afraid I don't have a calculator, but that would seem the logical route to me.

      Edit: Abdul below has pointed out an error on my part. Following through what he has said you come to the following -
      (5log2 - 4log3)/(7log3+log2) = x = ?
      (7 votes)
  • blobby green style avatar for user mitch stillwell
    log9x+log7x=1
    (4 votes)
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    • male robot hal style avatar for user Pianoth Shaveck
      log9x + log7x is equal to log(9x*7x) so:

      log(63x^2) = 1

      1 = log10 (because 10^1 = 10, and that can be written as log base 10 of 10, or log10), so the equation is:

      log(63x^2)=log(10)

      Now, if you now that the logarithm base 10 of something equals the logarithm base 10 of something else, you know that that something is equal to that something else:
      63x^2 = 10
      now you can easily solve for x:

      x^2 = 10/63
      x = Sqrt(10/63) = 1/3 * Sqrt[10/7] ≈ 0.398409536444798...
      (6 votes)
  • leaf green style avatar for user wannabeDoc
    This is a question of Half- Life.
    "How old is this ancient artifact if it still retains 92% of its original Carbon-14?" The equation is A = Noe^-0.00012t . The No represents the original and e is the base for Ln
    (3 votes)
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    • leaf green style avatar for user Steven
      They don't give you the exact amounts, but you should still be able to solve for t. Let's look at what we know. The artifact retains 92% of its original amount of Carbon-14. So, since No is the original, we now know that A is 0.92No. Now we can substitute that in.
      A = No*e^(-0.00012t)
      0.92No = No*e^(-0.00012t)
      0.92 = e^2(-0.00012t) We eliminated the No term by dividing it on both sides.
      Now you should be able to solve it using logarithms.
      (4 votes)
  • blobby green style avatar for user Kiyana Sagarang
    I don't understand how to solve log(3x+2)=2
    (3 votes)
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    • hopper cool style avatar for user Chuck Towle
      Kiyana,
      Logᵦ(c) = a Where ᵦ is the base can be rewritten as
      ᵦ^a = c That is ᵦ rasied to the power of a = c
      Your expression is
      log(3x+2)=2 and the base ᵦ is not shown.
      When log is used without the base shown, a base 10 is implied,
      So your equation is
      log(base10) of (3x+2) = 2
      You need to convert to the exponential form.
      using Logᵦ(c) = a can be rewritten as ᵦ^a = c
      log(base10) of (3x+2) = 2 can be rewritten as
      10^2 = 3x+2
      100 = 3x+2
      98 = 3x
      98/3 = x

      I hope that helps make it click for you.
      (4 votes)
  • blobby green style avatar for user Takeiteasy Hombre
    How do you solve log3X + log4X= log432
    (3 votes)
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  • leaf orange style avatar for user Bangers
    Express Log((x^2-9)(x-3)(x+3)^2) in terms of log(x-3) and log (x+3). How do you solve this problem?
    (4 votes)
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  • piceratops sapling style avatar for user Denise
    How would you solve a problem like:
    5(2^(x-1))=7(3^(2x+2)) for x?

    do you take the natural log of (2^x-1) and multiply the whole equation, (x-1)ln2 by 5?

    What are the operations when an equation looks like: a * b^(x - y) = c * d^(x + y)
    (2 votes)
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    • piceratops ultimate style avatar for user Just Keith
      There are infinitely many solutions to that problem. But if we limit it to only real solutions, ignoring the complex solutions, there is only one solution. Here is how to do it:
      5(2^(x-1))=7(3^(2x+2))
      ln {5(2^(x-1))} =ln {7(3^(2x+2))}
      ln5 + (x-1)ln2 = ln7 + (2x+2)(ln3)
      x ln2 - ln2 + ln5 = 2x ln3 + 2ln3 + ln7
      x ln2 - 2x ln3 = 2ln3 + ln7 + ln2 - ln5
      x (ln2 - 2ln3) = 2ln3 + ln7 + ln2 - ln5
      x (ln2 - ln9) = ln9 + ln7 + ln2 - ln5
      x ln(2/9) = ln(126/5)
      x = ln(126/5) ÷ ln(2/9)
      This is an irrational number approximately equal to -2.14539757
      (2 votes)
  • blobby green style avatar for user Sandhya Ganesh
    When solving these types of equation for example 2x-4^x=62 can you put log into the equation or Ln?
    (2 votes)
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    • piceratops ultimate style avatar for user Just Keith
      No, that will not work.

      You cannot solve a problem of the type 2x-4^x=62 using any of the techniques taught in Algebra II. That requires advanced-level calculus and is about 5 years more advanced mathematics than what you are learning now. (You have to use something called the Lambert W function).

      The only way to get any kind of solution at your current level of study is by getting estimates from graphing.

      So, if you have a problem that has x as both a base and an exponent, then know it is impossible to solve (unless one of the x's can be eliminated which is not likely) by elementary algebraic means.

      Note: the particular example you mentioned has no real solutions.
      (1 vote)
  • male robot hal style avatar for user King E
    Can't b equal 3 or -3
    (2 votes)
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    • leaf blue style avatar for user ivanthomson
      When you solve the problem, the algebra will lead to two solutions; +3 and -3. However, only +3 works in the original log function to give you the answer of 4. If you use -3 as the base, b, in the original log expression you will not get 4 as an answer. Instead you will get a very large complex number expression as an answer. Sal could have shown both answers then explained why we disregard the -3 just to be totally clear on it. But, always check your answers by plugging them back into the original expression to verify they actually make sense.
      (1 vote)

Video transcript

Solve 4 is equal to log base b of 81 for b. So let's just remind ourselves what this equation is saying. This is saying, if I raise b to the fourth power, then I'm going to get 81. Let me rewrite that. So if I raise b, that's our base, so if I raise our base, b-- I guess that's why they picked b. b for base. If I raise b to the fourth power-- I'll do the fourth power in orange. If I raise b to the fourth power, that is going to be equal to 81. I've just rewritten this equation, this logarithmic equation, I've rewritten it as an exponential equation. So it says b to the fourth power is equal to 81, and we need to still solve for b. So you just have to think, what number do I have to multiply by itself four times in order to get 81. And 81 might jump out of you, it is a perfect square. We know that 9 times 9 is equal to 81. Or we know that another way to say that is, nine squared is equal to 81. But we have to raise something to the fourth power. But 9 itself is 3 times 3. So one 9 is 3 times 3, and then you multiply it by another 9. That's another 3 times 3. That will also be equal to 81. And we can verify it. 3 times 3 is 9, 9 times 3 is 27, 27 times 3 is 81. So this is 3 to the fourth power. 9 squared is the same thing as 3 to the fourth power. So there we've done it. We've said, well, some number to the fourth power is equal to 81. We know that 3 to the fourth power is equal to 81. So we know that b is equal to 3. 3 to the fourth power is 81. Or we could say, log base three of 81, this is saying what power do I have to raise 3 to, to get 81? Well, we know. You have to raise 3 to the fourth power to get to 81. And if you know about fractional exponents, and don't worry about this if this confuses you a little bit, you could raise both of these, if you know about fractional exponents and exponent properties, you could do it this way as well. You could take, so you have b to the fourth power is equal to 81. You could raise both of these to the 1/4 power. Anything you do to one side of equation, you have to do to the other side. And from our exponent properties, you know that if you raise something to a power, then raise that to a power, that's like raising it to the 4 times 1/4 power. Or this is, essentially, just raising it to the first power. So on the left hand side, you're just left with b, and on the right hand side, you're left-- is equal to 81 to the 1/4 power. But figuring out what 81 to the 1/4 power, you really have to go through this exercise anyway. Because when you raise something to the 1/4 power, you're really saying, well, what do I have to multiply? What do I have to raise to the fourth power to get to 81? And then you get what 81 is to the 1/4 power. So actually, this is another way of realizing that 81 to the 1/4 power is equal to 3. 3 to the fourth power is equal to 81. 81 to the 1/4 power is equal to 3. But if this is confusing to you, don't worry about it for now. The important thing is you understand what the logarithm is actually saying. If I raise b to the fourth power I get 81.