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Solving Logarithmic Equations: Example 1

This document provides examples of solving logarithmic equations. It begins by writing logarithmic equations in exponential form and vice versa. It then evaluates logarithmic expressions, solves logarithmic equations, and graphs logarithmic functions and inequalities. Key steps include rewriting logarithmic equations as exponential equations, using the properties of logarithms, and testing points to determine the region to shade for inequalities.

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117 views

Solving Logarithmic Equations: Example 1

This document provides examples of solving logarithmic equations. It begins by writing logarithmic equations in exponential form and vice versa. It then evaluates logarithmic expressions, solves logarithmic equations, and graphs logarithmic functions and inequalities. Key steps include rewriting logarithmic equations as exponential equations, using the properties of logarithms, and testing points to determine the region to shade for inequalities.

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Logarithmic Equations

Example 1
Write each equation in exponential form.

3 1
a. log32 8 = b. log81 3 =
5 4
2 1
The base is 32, and the exponent is 3. The base is 81, and the exponent is 4.
3 1
8 = 325 3 = 814

Example 2
Write each equation in logarithmic form.

a. 64 = 1296 1
The base is 6, and the exponent, or b. 2-8 =
256
logarithm, is 4. The base is 2, and the exponent, or
log6 1296 = 4 logarithm, is -8.
1
log2 256 = -8

Example 3
1
Evaluate the expression log3 .
27

1
Let x = log3 27.
1
x = log3 27
1
3x = Definition of logarithm
27
1
3x = (27)-1 a-m =
am
3x = (33)-1 33 = 27
3x = 3-3 (am)n = amn
x = -3 If au = av, then u = v.
Example 4
CHEMISTRY Refer to the application at the beginning of Lesson 11-4 in your book. How long
would it take for 640,000 grams of Polonium-194, with a half-life of 0.5 second, to decay to 5000
grams?

t
1
N = N0 1 N = N0(1 + r)t for r = -2
2
t
5000 = 640,000 1 N = 5000, N0 = 640,000
2
t
1 1
128 = 2 Divide each side by 640,000.

log 1 1 = t Write the equation in logarithmic form.


2 128

log 1 17 = t 128 = 27
2 2
7 n
log 1 1 =t 1 1
2 2 bn b
7 t
1 = 1 Definition of logarithm
2 2
7 =t

It will take 7 half-lives or 3.5 seconds.


Example 5
Solve each equation.

1 1
a. logp 65614 = b. log5 -(5x - 3) = log5 -(10x + 2)
2
1 1 log5 -(5x - 3) = log5 -(10x + 2)
logp 65614 = 2 -(5x - 3) = -(10x + 2)
1 1 5x = -5
p 2 = 65614 x = -1
p = 4 6561
( p)2 = (9)2
p = 81

c. log8 (x + 1) + log8 (x + 3) = log8 24


log8 (x + 1) + log8 (x + 3) = log8 24
log8 [(x + 1)(x + 3)] = log8 24
x2 + 4x + 3 = 24
x2 + 4x - 21 = 0
(x + 7)(x - 3) = 0
x+7 =0 or x-3 =0
x = -7 x =3

By substituting x = -7 and x = 3 into the equation, we find that x = -7 is undefined for the equation
log8 (x + 1) + log8 (x + 3) = log8 24. When x = -7 we get an extraneous solution.
So, x = 3 is the correct solution.

Example 6
Graph y = log4 (x + 2).

The equation y = log4 (x + 2) can be written as 4y = x + 2. Choose values for y and then find the
corresponding values of x.

y x+2 x (x, y)
-3 0.016 -1.984 (-1.984, -3)
-2 0.063 -1.937 (-1.937, -2)
-1 0.25 -1.75 (-1.75, -1)
0 1 -1 (-1, 0)
1 4 2 (2, 1)
2 16 14 (14, 2)
3 64 62 (62, 3)
Example 7
Graph y ≥ log3 x - 4.

The boundary for the inequality y ≥ log3 x - 4 can be written as y = log3 x - 4. Rewrite this equation in
exponential form.

y = log3 x - 4
y+4 = log3 x
3y + 4 =x

Use a table of values to graph the boundary.

y y+4 x (x, y)
-7 -3 0.037 (0.037, -7)
-6 -2 0.111 (0.111, -6)
-5 -1 0.333 (0.333, -5)
-4 0 1 (1, -4)
-3 1 3 (3, -3)
-2 2 9 (9, -2)
-1 3 27 (27, -1)

Test a point, for example (0, 0), to determine which region to shade.

3y + 4 ≥ 0 30 + 4 ≥ 0 True

Shade the region that contains the point at (0, 0). However, since values of x ≤ 0 yield extraneous
solutions, only shade above the curve in quadrants I and IV.

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