Find x for x^(log 5)+5^(log x)=50

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The discussion revolves around solving the equation x^(log 5) + 5^(log x) = 50. Participants explore various substitutions and manipulations, ultimately leading to confusion regarding the logarithm's base. A key point highlighted is that x = 100 is derived from the equation, but it is later clarified that the solution depends on the logarithm's base, affecting the outcome. The conversation emphasizes the importance of specifying the logarithm base, as it influences the final answer significantly. Ultimately, the correct numerical value of x is contingent upon this clarification.
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Homework Statement



Find ##x## if ##x^{log 5}+5^{log x}=50##

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried ##x^{log 5}=50-5^{log x}##

and vice versa. Then substituting the value of x in another equation, I end up with irritating results like
##50=50, 0=0, 1=1, x^{log 5}=x^{log 5} ## etc.

Can anyone give me a hint?
 
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Use the identity ##a= e^{\log(a)}##

ehild
 
Govind_Balaji said:
Then substituting the value of x in another equation, I end up with irritating results like
##50=50, 0=0, 1=1, x^{log 5}=x^{log 5} ## etc.

Can anyone give me a hint?

When you end up with a result like that it means that your substitution was a solution to the equality. If you end up with 1=0 or any other variation then your substitution wasn't a solution. The problem you have however is that this hasn't gotten you anywhere closer to finding what x on its own is.

Do what ehild suggested to try solve for x, and then when you have x=... (where it's a number on the right side and hence has no x value in it), try plugging that value into your equation again and see if you can get it down to 1=1 or 0=0 etc. If you do, you've found a correct value of x.
 
Govind_Balaji said:

Homework Statement



Find ##x## if ##x^{log 5}+5^{log x}=50##

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried ##x^{log 5}=50-5^{log x}##

and vice versa. Then substituting the value of x in another equation, I end up with irritating results like
##50=50, 0=0, 1=1, x^{log 5}=x^{log 5} ## etc.

Can anyone give me a hint?

Write ##x = e^{\, \log \, x}, \; 5 = e^{\, \log \, 5}##.
 
Thanks I got it ##x=50## also ##x^{\log 5}=5^{\log x}##.
 
What is the base of the logarithm?

ehild
 
Govind_Balaji said:
Thanks I got it ##x=50## also ##x^{\log 5}=5^{\log x}##.
Do you mean to say your answer is that x = 50?
 
Govind_Balaji said:
Thanks I got it ##x=50## also ##x^{\log 5}=5^{\log x}##.

That's wrong.##x \neq 50## Try substituting it into the equation and see if it shows correct
 
##\\x^{\log 5}+5^{\log x}=50\\\\##

\left(10^{\log x }\right )^{\log 5}+\left(10^{\log 5 }\right )^{\log x} =50\\\\

10^{\log x \log 5}+10^{\log 5 \log x}=50

##\text{Since both are same, } x^{log 5}=5^{log x}\\\\##

##5^{log x}+5^{log x}=50\\\\##

##10^{log_{10} x}=50\Rightarrow x=50##They are common logarithms with base 10. I think you misunderstood it as base=e.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Govind_Balaji said:
##\\x^{\log 5}+5^{\log x}=50\\\\##

\left(10^{\log x }\right )^{\log 5}+\left(10^{\log 5 }\right )^{\log x} =50\\\\

10^{\log x \log 5}+10^{\log 5 \log x}=50


##\text{Since both are same, } x^{log 5}=5^{log x}\\\\##

##5^{log x}+5^{log x}=50\\\\##

Correct so far.
Govind_Balaji said:
##10^{log_{10} x}=50\Rightarrow x=50##

That is wrong.

##2(5^{log x})≠10^{log x}##.

From 10^{\log x \log 5}+10^{\log 5 \log x}=50, 10^{\log x \log 5}=25=5^2. Take the logarithm of both sides.

Govind_Balaji said:
They are common logarithms with base 10. I think you misunderstood it as base=e.

Some people use "log" for natural logarithm, others use it for base-10 logarithm. You need to clarify.

ehild
 
  • #11
<br /> <br /> \log x \log 5=2 \log 5\\<br /> <br /> \log x=2 \Rightarrow x=100\\<br />
Am I right?
 
  • #12
Govind_Balaji said:
<br /> <br /> \log x \log 5=2 \log 5\\<br /> <br /> \log x=2 \Rightarrow x=100\\<br />
Am I right?

Yes! But check it. Plug-in x=100 into the original equation.

ehild
 
  • #13
Govind_Balaji said:
<br /> <br /> \log x \log 5=2 \log 5\\<br /> <br /> \log x=2 \Rightarrow x=100\\<br />
Am I right?
Not quite. If
$$ \log x\ \log 5 = 2\ \log 5\ \log x$$
then if you divide both sides by ##\log x\ \log 5## you get
$$ 1 = 2. $$
And if you plug ##x = 100## into the original equation, you get something much larger than 50, or even 100.

The right-hand side of
$$ \log x\ \log 5 = 2\ \log 5\ \log x$$
is right, but you need something else on the left-hand side.
 
Last edited:
  • #14
tms said:
Not quite. If
$$ \log x\ \log 5 = 2\ \log 5\ \log x$$


Nobody said that equation was true. The original equation was

##x^{log 5}+5^{log x}=50## . log means base-10 logarithm. It came out that

##\log x \log 5 = 2\log 5##


Substitute back x=100: log(5)≈0.699, 100log(5)=25, 5log100=25...


ehild
 
  • #15
Actually as long as you are looking for a symbolic representation of x what is the logarithm base doesn't matter.
 
  • #16
Borek,

the problem has been solved correctly (Post #11). And the numerical value of x was needed. tms is wrong.

ehild
 
  • #17
Borek said:
Actually as long as you are looking for a symbolic representation of x what is the logarithm base doesn't matter.
It certainly does matter. The solution to ##x^{\log_b 5} + 5^{\log_b x} = 50## is x=4 if the base is 2, x=100 if the base is 10, and x=10000 if the base is 100.

It is true that ##5^{\log_b x} = x^{\log_b 5}##, regardless of the base.
 
  • #18
Borek said:
Actually as long as you are looking for a symbolic representation of x what is the logarithm base doesn't matter.

Actually numerical value was needed. My teacher gave me four options a)25 b)50 c)75 d)100.


He told me that simply ##\log x## means ##\log_{10} x##.

And ##\ln x ## is used for ##\log_e x##.
 
  • #19
ehild said:
Nobody said that equation was true. The original equation was

##x^{log 5}+5^{log x}=50## . log means base-10 logarithm. It came out that

##\log x \log 5 = 2\log 5##


Substitute back x=100: log(5)≈0.699, 100log(5)=25, 5log100=25...
It certainly seemed that you said it was correct when the OP asked if it was correct and you said yes. In retrospect you were saying the numerical answer was correct. I took the unadorned log to be a natural log and so got a very different answer.
 

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