How do you simplify a logarithm expression with multiple terms?

  • Thread starter Shawn Garsed
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    Logarithm
So, in summary, the expression x^(3logx2 - logx5) simplifies to 8/5 and for this to be true, x must be greater than 0 and not equal to 1.
  • #1
Shawn Garsed
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Homework Statement


Simplify x^(3logx2 - logx5) to find an exact numerical value.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


3logx2=logx2^3 or logx8,
(logx8 - logx5)=logx8/5
the inverse would be x^y=8/5 (y is unknown)
therefore logx8/5=y and x^(logx8/5)=x^y=8/5
and the inverse of that would be logx8/5=logx8/5

(logx8/5)-(logx8/5)=0
rewriting it you get logx(8/5)/(8/5) or just logx1=0
once again the inverse would be 1=x^0 which tells me that x can be any given number.
Is this correct?
 
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  • #2


Shawn Garsed said:

Homework Statement


Simplify x^(3logx2 - logx5) to find an exact numerical value.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


3logx2=logx2^3 or logx8,
(logx8 - logx5)=logx8/5
the inverse would be x^y=8/5 (y is unknown)
therefore logx8/5=y and x^(logx8/5)=x^y=8/5
and the inverse of that would be logx8/5=logx8/5

(logx8/5)-(logx8/5)=0
rewriting it you get logx(8/5)/(8/5) or just logx1=0
once again the inverse would be 1=x^0 which tells me that x can be any given number.
Is this correct?

Your question asked you to just simplify the expression. You have shown that the expression given reduces to 8/5, which is correct, and you could stop there. And you are also correct that it doesn't matter what x is, although you would want x > 0.
 
  • #3


Sorry for the late response, for some reason I couldn't login to my account yesterday.

Your question asked you to just simplify the expression. You have shown that the expression given reduces to 8/5, which is correct, and you could stop there.

Your right, I was trying to find an exact numerical value for x.

And you are also correct that it doesn't matter what x is, although you would want x > 0.

Shouldn't it be x>1, since 1^y always equals 1.
 
Last edited:
  • #4


Right, the base shouldn't be 1 either. So the conditions are x > 0 and x [itex]\neq[/itex] 1.
 

1. What is a logarithm?

A logarithm is the inverse operation of exponentiation. It is a mathematical function that helps us solve equations involving exponential expressions.

2. Why do we need to simplify logarithms?

Logarithm simplification allows us to manipulate and solve equations involving exponential expressions more easily. It also helps us to express complex numbers in a simpler form.

3. What are the rules for simplifying logarithms?

There are several rules for simplifying logarithms, including the product rule, quotient rule, power rule, and change of base rule. These rules help us to combine and manipulate logarithmic expressions to make them easier to solve.

4. How do you simplify a logarithm with a coefficient?

To simplify a logarithm with a coefficient, we can use the power rule which states that logb(xn) = n*logb(x). This means we can move the coefficient as an exponent of the argument inside the logarithm.

5. Can all logarithms be simplified?

No, not all logarithms can be simplified. Some logarithms, such as log2(2), are already in their simplest form and cannot be further simplified.

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