Solving Logarithmic Equations

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Solving Logarithmic Equations

Deciding How to Solve Logarithmic Equation

When asked to solve a logarithmic equation such as log2 (5x +7) = 5 or log3(7x +3) = log3 (5x + 9), the first
thing we need to decide is how to solve the problem. Some logarithmic problems are solved by simply
dropping the logarithms while others are solved by rewriting the logarithmic problem in exponential form.
How do we decide what is the correct way to solve a logarithmic problem? The key is to look at the problem
and decide if the problem contains only logarithms or if the problem has terms without logarithms.

If we consider the problem log2 (5x +7) = 5, this problem contains a term, 5, that does not have a logarithm.
So, the correct way to solve these types of logarithmic problems is to rewrite the logarithmic problem in
exponential form. If we consider the example log3(7x +3) = log3 (5x +9), this problem contains only
logarithms. So, the correct way to solve these types of logarithmic problems is to simply drop the
logarithms.

Properties of Logarithms Revisited

When solving logarithmic equation, we may need to use the properties of logarithms to simplify the problem
first. The properties of logarithms are listed below as a reminder.
Properties for Condensing Logarithms
Property 1: 0 = loga 1 – ZeroExponent Rule

Property 2: 1= loga a

Property 3: loga x +loga y = loga (xy) – Product Rule

x
Property 4: loga x -loga y = log a – Quotient Rule
Łył

Property 5: yloga x = loga x y – Power Rule


Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Only Logarithms

After observing that the logarithmic equation contains only logarithms, what is the next step?

OneToOne Property of Logarithms

If logb M = logb N, then M = N.

This statement says that if an equation contains only two logarithms, on opposite sides of the equal sign,
with the same base then the problem can be solved by simply dropping the logarithms.
Let’s finish solving the problem log3(7x +3) = log3 (5x + 9).
log3(7x +3) = log3 (5x + 9). Since the problem has only two logarithms on opposite
sides of the equal sign, the problem can be solved by
dropping the logarithms.

7x +3 = 5x + 9 Drop the logarithms.

x=3 Finish solving by subtracting 5x from each side, subtracting


3 from each side, and finally dividing each side by 2.

Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we


x=3
get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
Therefore, the solution to the problem log3(7x +3) = log3 (5x + 9) is x = 3.

Here is another example, solve log7 (x -2)+log7 (x +3) = log7 14.

log7 ((x -2)(x +3)) = log7 14 This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.

(x - 2)(x +3) = Drop the logarithms.


14 x2 -x -6 = 14
x2 - x -20 = 0 (x Simplify the problem by distributing or FOILing and
combining like terms.
+ 4)(x -5) = 0 x
= -4 or x = 5 x = Solve the problem by subtracting 14 from each to get it
5 equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic
formula to find the values of x.

Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable


because the other answer produces a negative number
when it is plugged back in.
Therefore, the solution to the problem log7 (x -2)+log7(x +3) = log7 14 is x = 5.

Now that we have looked at a couple of examples of solving logarithmic equations containing only
logarithms, let’s list the steps for solving logarithmic equations containing only logarithms.
Steps for Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Only Logarithms

Step 1: Determine if the problem contains only logarithms. If so, go to Step 2. If not, stop and use
the Steps for Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Terms without Logarithms.

Step 2: Use the properties of logarithms to simplify the problem if needed. If the problem has
more than one logarithm on either side of the equal sign then the problem can be
simplified.

Step 3: Rewrite the problem without the logarithms.

Step 4: Simplify the problem.

Step 5: Solve for x.

Step 6: Check your answer(s). Remember we cannot take the logarithm of a negative number, so
we need to make sure that when we plug our answer(s) back into the original equation
we get a positive number. Otherwise, we must drop that answer(s).
Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Terms without Logarithms

After observing that the logarithmic equation contains terms without logarithms, what is the next step? The
next step is to simplify the problem using the properties of logarithms and then to rewrite the logarithmic
problem in exponential form. After rewriting the problem in exponential form we will be able to solve the
resulting problem.

Let’s finish solving the problem log2 (5x +7) = 5 from earlier.

log2 (5x +7) = 5 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

5x +7 = 25 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the


base of the logarithm to the other side.

5x +7 = 32 Simplify the problem by raising 2 to the fifth power.

Solve for x by subtracting 7 from each side and then


x=5
dividing each side by 5.

Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we


x=5
get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
Therefore, the solution to the problem log2 (5x +7) = 5 is x = 5.
Here is another example, solveln(4x -1) = 3.
ln(4x -1) = 3 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

4x -1= e 3 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving


the base of the logarithm to the other side. For natural
logarithms the base is e.
4x -1» 20.085537 Simplify the problem by cubing e. Round the answer as
appropriate, these answers will use 6 decimal places.
x » 5.271384 Solve for x by adding 1 to each side and then dividing each
side by 4.
x » 5.271384 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we
get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
Therefore, the solution to the problemln(4x -1) = 3 is x ≈ 5.271384.

Now that we have looked at a couple of examples of solving logarithmic equations containing terms without
logarithms, let’s list the steps for solving logarithmic equations containing terms without logarithms.
Steps for Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Terms without Logarithms

Step 1: Determine if the problem contains only logarithms. If so, stop and use Steps for Solving
Logarithmic Equations Containing Only Logarithms. If not, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Use the properties of logarithms to simplify the problem if needed. If the problem has
more than one logarithm on either side of the equal sign then the problem can be
simplified.

Step 3: Rewrite the problem in exponential form.

Step 4: Simplify the problem.

Step 5: Solve for x.

Step 6: Check your answer(s). Remember we cannot take the logarithm of a negative number, so
we need to make sure that when we plug our answer(s) back into the original equation
we get a positive number. Otherwise, we must drop that answer(s).
Examples – Now let’s use the steps shown above to work through some examples. These examples will be a
mixture of logarithmic equations containing only logarithms and logarithmic equations containing terms
without logarithms.

Example 1: Solve log3 (9x +2) = 4


log3 (9x + 2) = 4 This problem contains terms without logarithms.

log3 (9x + 2) = 4 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the


9x + 2 = 34 base of the logarithm to the other side.
9x + 2 = 81 Simplify the problem by raising 3 to the fourth power.

79 Solve for x by subtracting 2 from each side and then


x= dividing each side by 9.
9
Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we
79 get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
x=
9
79
Therefore, the solution to the problem log3 (9x +2) = 4 is x = .
9
Example 2: Solve log4 x +log4 (x -
12) = 3 log4 x +log4 (x -12) = 3 This problem contains terms without logarithms.
log4 (x(x -12)) = 3 This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.

x(x -12) = 43 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the


base of the logarithm to the other side.

x2 -12x = 64 Simplify the problem by distributing and cubing the 4.

x2 -12x - 64 = 0 Solve the problem by subtracting 64 from each to get it


equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic

(x + 4)(x -16) = 0 formula to find the values of x.

x = -4 or x = 16

x = 16 Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable because


the other answer produces a negative number when it is
plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log4 x +log4 (x -12) = 3 is x = 16.


Example 3: Solve log4(2x +1) = log4(x + 2)- log4 3 log4(2x +1) = log4(x + 2)- log4 3

This problem contains only logarithms.

log4(2x +1) = log 4 Ł x +3 2 ł This problemchanges the subtractioncan be simplified by using


Property 4 which of logarithms to division.
x 2 Drop the logarithms.
2x +1 =

3(2x +1) = x + 2 Simplify the problem by crossmultiplying to get rid of the


fractions.

Solve the problem by distributing the 3, subtracting x from


6x +3 = x + 2
each side, subtracting 3 from each side, and finally
1 dividing by 5.
x=-
5
Check the answers, this problem has “No Solution”
No Solution because the only answer produces a negative number and
we can’t take the logarithm of a negative number.

Therefore, the problem log4(2x +1) = log4(x + 2)- log4 3 has no solution.

Example 4: Solve log(5x -11) = 2


log(5x -11) = This problem contains terms without logarithms.

This problem does not need to be simplified because there


2 log(5x -11) is only one logarithm in the problem.

Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving


= 2 5x -2 = 10 the base of the logarithm to the other side. For common
logarithms the base is 10.
2

Simplify the problem by squaring the 10.

Solve for x by adding 2 to each side and then dividing each


5x - 2 = 100 side by 5.
102 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we
x= get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
5
102
x=
5
102
Therefore, the solution to the problemlog(5x -11) = 2 is x = .
5
Example 5: Solve log2(x +1)-log2 (x -4) = 3
log2(x +1)-log2 (x -4) = 3 This problem contains terms without logarithms.
log2 +1 This problem can be simplified by using Property 4 which
changes the subtraction of logarithms to division.
=3x Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the
Łx-4ł base of the logarithm to the other side.

Simplify the problem by cubing the 2.


x + 1 23
=
x-4 Solve for x by crossmultiplying, distributing, subtracting
8x from each side, subtracting 1 from each side, and
x+1 finally dividing each side by –7.
=8
x - 4 x +1=

8(x - 4) x Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we


get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
+1= 8x - 32

33
x=
7
33
x=
7
33
Therefore, the solution to the problem log2(x +1)-log2 (x -4) = 3 is x = .
7 Example 6:

Solve log6(x + 4)+log6(x -2) = log6 (4x) log6(x + 4)+log6(x -2) = log6 (4x) This

problem contains only logarithms.

log6((x +4)(x -2)) = log6 (4x) This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.
(x + 4)(x - 2) = 4x Drop the logarithms.

x2 + 2x -8 = 4x Simplify the problem by distributing or FOILing and


combining like terms.

x2 - 2x -8 = 0 Solve the problem by subtracting 4x from each to get it


equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic

(x + 2)(x - 4) = 0 formula to find the values of x.

x = -2 or x = 4

x=4 Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable because


the other answer produces a negative number when it is
plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log6(x + 4)+log6(x -2) = log6 (4x) is x = 4.
Addition Examples

If you would like to see more examples of solving logarithmic equations, just click on the link below.

Additional Examples

Practice Problems

Now it is your turn to try a few practice problems on your own. Work on each of the problems below and
then click on the link at the end to check your answers.

Problem 1: Solve: log5 (4x +11) = 2

Problem 2: Solve: log2(x +5)-log2 (2x -1) = 5

Problem 3: Solve: log8 x +log8(x +6) = log8 (5x + 12)

Problem 4: Solve: log6 x +log6 (x -9) = 2

Problem 5: Solve: ln(6x -5) = 3

Problem 6: Solve: log4(3x -2) -log4 (4x +1) = 2

Problem 7: Solve: log3 (x2 -6x) = 3

Problem 8: Solve: log(x -2)-log(2x -3) = log2

Solutions to Practice Problems


ABC.

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