2log(x-1) + logx = logx + log4

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The equation 2log(x-1) + logx = logx + log4 simplifies by canceling logx from both sides, leading to log((x-1)^2) = log4. This allows the equation to be further reduced to (x-1)^2 = 4, which can be solved by taking the square root of both sides. The solutions derived from this step are x = 3 and x = -1, but x must be greater than 1 to satisfy the logarithmic condition. Thus, the valid solution is x = 3.
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Homework Statement



2log(x-1) + logx = logx + log4


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


log(x-1)^2 + logx = logx (4)
 
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Hey there,

ok it looks like you have some exact same term on both sides to begin with, so those can just cancel out right? This leaves you with a log of something = a log of something else, that should simplify it down nice for ya.
 


i don't get it
 


Omega_Prime said:
Hey there,

ok it looks like you have some exact same term on both sides to begin with, so those can just cancel out right? This leaves you with a log of something = a log of something else, that should simplify it down nice for ya.

so are u saying it should be:
log (2x - x)^2 = 4x
 


Well the first step is just an algebra step, you have log (x) on both sides of the = sign, so the equation can be reduced. When that happens you are left with a log (of something) = log (of something else) when this happens you can sort of drop the log and just solve for x.
 


nae99 said:
so are u saying it should be:
log (2x - x)^2 = 4x

Noooooo, :)
What you need to do here is just first cancel out the terms \log x on both sides.
Then shift \log 4 to the left side remaining 0 at the right side.
Now using these two identities, try to figure out the answer:-
p(\log_a b)=log_a b^p
and
\log_a u-\log_a v=\log_a \frac{u}{v}
 


Omega_Prime said:
Well the first step is just an algebra step, you have log (x) on both sides of the = sign, so the equation can be reduced. When that happens you are left with a log (of something) = log (of something else) when this happens you can sort of drop the log and just solve for x.

log (x-1) = log4

i don't think i understand that
 


Pranav-Arora said:
Noooooo, :)
What you need to do here is just first cancel out the terms \log x on both sides.
Then shift \log 4 to the left side remaining 0 at the right side.
Now using these two identities, try to figure out the answer:-
p(\log_a b)=log_a b^p
and
\log_a u-\log_a v=\log_a \frac{u}{v}

2log (x-1) - log 4 = 0
 


nae99 said:
2log (x-1) - log 4 = 0

There you go! I'd have kept log(4) on the right side and then just solve for x.
 
  • #10


nae99 said:
2log (x-1) - log 4 = 0

Yep, that's what i meant to say. Now try converting 2log (x-1) using the identities i gave. :smile:
 
  • #11


Pranav-Arora said:
Yep, that's what i meant to say. Now try converting 2log (x-1) using the identities i gave. :smile:

log (x-1)^2 - log 4 = 0
 
  • #12


nae99 said:
log (x-1)^2 - log 4 = 0

Now use the second identity. :wink:
 
  • #13


Pranav-Arora said:
Now use the second identity. :wink:

log (x^2-1) /4 = 0
 
  • #14


nae99 said:
log (x^2-1) /4 = 0

It would be
\log \frac{(x-1)^2}{4}=0

Whatever the base would be, when you use the antilog method here, the right hand side would become 1. So what you get is:-
\frac {(x-1)^2}{4}=1

Now solve it further. :wink:
 
  • #15


Pranav-Arora said:
It would be
\log \frac{(x-1)^2}{4}=0

Whatever the base would be, when you use the antilog method here, the right hand side would become 1. So what you get is:-
\frac {(x-1)^2}{4}=1

Now solve it further. :wink:

ok so i would do this next but i don't think its right

(x^2-1) /4 = 1
 
  • #16


nae99 said:
ok so i would do this next but i don't think its right

(x^2-1) /4 = 1

I don't understand how you convert (x-1)2 to (x2-1)? :confused:
That's wrong!

Solving this equation:-
\frac {(x-1)^2}{4}=1
we get,
(x-1)^2=4
Now try to do it.
 
  • #17


ok, but i thought (x-1) meant (x-1) (x-1)
 
  • #18


nae99 said:
ok, but i thought (x-1) meant (x-1) (x-1)

I still didn't get you :confused:
(x-1)^2=(x-1)(x-1)=x^2-2x+1
 
  • #19


Pranav-Arora said:
I still didn't get you :confused:
(x-1)^2=(x-1)(x-1)=x^2-2x+1

so i would end up with:

x^2-2x+1 = 4
 
  • #20


and then i would have to do the quadratic equation, right
 
  • #21


nae99 said:
so i would end up with:

x^2-2x+1 = 4

Yes, now proceeding further you get
x^2-2x-3=0
Now this is quadratic equation, try to solve it. :)
 
  • #22


Pranav-Arora said:
Yes, now proceeding further you get
x^2-2x-3=0
Now this is quadratic equation, try to solve it. :)

x = -(-2) \pm \sqrt{} (-2)^2 - 4*1*(-3)/ 2*1

x= -(-2) \pm \sqrt{} -4+12/ 2

how is that
 
  • #23


nae99 said:
x = -(-2) \pm \sqrt{} (-2)^2 - 4*1*(-3)/ 2*1

x= -(-2) \pm \sqrt{} -4+12/ 2

how is that

What is the square of (-2)? :smile:
 
  • #24


:confused:i don't know
 
  • #25


Pranav-Arora said:
What is the square of (-2)? :smile:

is it -4
 
  • #26


nae99 said:
is it -4

Nooo, it's 4.
(-2)2=(-2)(-2)=4
 
  • #27


oh ok
 
  • #28


nae99 said:
oh ok

Now what's the answer?
 
  • #29


Pranav-Arora said:
Now what's the answer?

x= -(-2) ± √ 4+12/ 2

x = -(2) \pm\sqrt{} 16 / 2

x = -(-2) \pm 4 / 2

x = -(-2) + 4 / 2

x = 6/ 2

x= 4
OR

x = -(-2) - 2 / 2

x = -2/ 2

x = -1
 
  • #30


nae99 said:
x= -(-2) ± √ 4+12/ 2

x = -(2) \pm\sqrt{} 16 / 2

x = -(-2) \pm 4 / 2

x = -(-2) + 4 / 2

x = 6/ 2

x= 4
OR

x = -(-2) - 2 / 2

x = -2/ 2

x = -1

What are you doing?
6/2=3 and 2-2=0.
Your both the answers are wrong. Correct them.
 
  • #31


Pranav-Arora said:
What are you doing?
6/2=3 and 2-2=0.
Your both the answers are wrong. Correct them.

OMG, such simple mistakes huh, ok

x= 6/2 = 3

x= -(-2) - 2/ 2 = 0/2 x= 0
 
  • #32


That's too much unnecessary work. From,

(x-1)^2=4

Take the square root of both sides (remember the \pm).
 
  • #33


Mentallic said:
That's too much unnecessary work. From,

(x-1)^2=4

Take the square root of both sides (remember the \pm).

You're right Mentallic but nae99 is doing such silly mistakes here in this thread.

@nae99- take care, since you need to consider this case:- x-1>0
 
  • #34


thanks much
 
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