Solve Logarithmic Equation: 2 Log to Base x of 5 + Log to Base 5 of x = Log 1000

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a logarithmic equation: 2 log to base x of 5 + log to base 5 of x = log 1000. Participants explore the properties of logarithms and the change of base formula in the context of this equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the challenge of adding logarithms with different bases and explore the change of base formula. There are attempts to manipulate the equation and express logarithms in terms of a single base.

Discussion Status

The discussion has progressed through various attempts to simplify and solve the equation. Some participants have provided guidance on using the change of base formula, while others are working through algebraic manipulations. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of their algebraic steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about their algebraic manipulations and seek clarification on the correctness of their steps. There is a recognition of the need for practice in basic algebra to improve understanding of the problem.

ll-Angel-ll
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Hi

I really need ur help

I was sick in the days that the teacher gave us the lesson

and I really really need ur help



this is the equation :


2 log{to base x} of 5 + log{to base 5} of x = log 1000


i know that log 1000 = 3


and 2 log{to base x} of 5 = log{to base x} of 25


so

log{to base x} of 25 + log{to base 5} of x = 3

and now I don't know how to continue :confused:

cause I don't know how to add different bases



please someone helps me

how can I continue and how can I add different bases ?!

HELP ME :cry: ..



 
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Don't add different bases. Convert the base. Do you know:

log{base a}b=log{base c}b/log{base c}a.

Where c is anything. Use this to convert log{base x}25 to an expression involving log{base 5} only. I.e. put c=5 in the above.
 
ll-Angel-ll said:



Hi

I really need ur help

I was sick in the days that the teacher gave us the lesson

and I really really need ur help



this is the equation :


2 log{to base x} of 5 + log{to base 5} of x = log 1000


i know that log 1000 = 3​

Yup, so far, so good. :)

...
cause I don't know how to add different bases



please someone helps me

how can I continue and how can I add different bases ?!

HELP ME :cry: ..




Since you cannot add different bases. You need to convert it to only one base. The Change of Base Formula would did it:

[tex]\log_{a}b = \frac{\log_c b}{\log_c a}[/tex]

This is what Dick told you.

From the above Formula, we can derive another 2 pretty nice, and also important Formulae:
1. [tex]\log_a b \times \log_b c = \log_a c[/tex]

2. [tex]\log_a b = \frac{\log_b b}{\log_b a} = \frac{1}{\log_b a}[/tex]

Remember the three formulae above, you may need it in Logarithmic Problems. :)
 


ok i think i got it

but don't laugh if it's wrong

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

1/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) + ( log {base 5} of x )/1 = 3

1/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) + (( log {base 5} of x )( 2 log {base 5} of x ))/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) = 3

so

( log {base 5} of x )/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) + 1 = 3

( log {base 5} of x )/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) = 3 -1

( log {base 5} of x )/( 2 log {base 5} of x ) =2

1/x = 2

so

x=1/2


am i right ?!

:shy:

 
Nope. Not quite. Let's call L=log{base 5}x, then yes, log{base x}5=1/L. But compare your first and second equations. How did the 2 move from the numerator to the denominator?
 


ok so u'r saying that what i did was correct

that 1/x = 2

but x doesn't equal 1/2

right ?!

 
No, I'm saying there are problems near the start. Your second equation is 1/(2L)+L=3 (again, let L=log{base 5}x). I'm trying to convince you that it should be 2/L+L=3.
 



ok so

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

2 / 2 log {base 5} of x + log {base 5} of x = 3

2 / log {base 5} of x^2 = 3

2 / 2 log {base 5} of x = 3

1 / log {base 5} of x = 3

log {base x} of 5 = 3

right ?!

:biggrin:


 
Still wrong. You are doing some really funny looking algebra. How does

2 log{base x}5 become 2/(2 log{base 5}x)? It should be just

2/(log{base 5}x). Where is the extra 2 coming from?
 
  • #10


ok i think i got it

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

[2/ log {base 5} of x] + log {base 5} of x = 3

ok then i should

ummm ..

[2 (log {base 5} of x) (log {base 5} of x)] / log {base 5} of x =3

2 (log {base 5} of x) =3

so

(log {base 5} of x^2) = 3

am i right this time ?!

:biggrin:

 
  • #11
Not right yet, but making progress. You now have 2/L+L=3. (Where L is your log{base 5}x. Can you solve 2/L+L=3 for L? I think the wordiness of your notation may be confusing you. Solve 2/L+L=3. It's the same equation. What's the first step?
 
  • #12


cool I'm making progress

ok

2/L+L=3

first we multiply both sides by 1/2

so it will be

L+L = 3/2

2L = 3/2

so

L = 3/4


am i right ?!

:shy:

 
  • #13
Sorry, but I think you need some serious practice on basic algebra.

(1/2)*(2/L+L)=(1/2)*(2/L)+(1/2)*L=1/L+L/2. That's the correct result - but it didn't simplify things much. What you really want to do is multiply both sides by L (to get rid of the L in the denominator). You are going to get a quadratic equation. Can you handle those?
 
  • #14



:frown:

i think the teacher was telling me the truth when she said I'm stupid

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

[2/ log {base 5} of x] + log {base 5} of x = 3

L = log {base 5} of x

2/L + L = 3

2+L^2 = 3L

L^2 - 3L + 2 = 0

( L-2 ) ( L -1 ) = 0

L = 2 or L = 1

----------------

what do i do now ?!


 
  • #15
Now you are ready to collect your prize. L=log{base 5}x=1 or 2. Can you solve for x in each of those two cases?
 
  • #16


ok

if

log {base 5} of x =1

then x = 5

and if

log {base 5} of x = 2

then x = 25

am i right ?!

:shy:

 
  • #17
You win! Yes. Can you check that they both work in the original equation? I was serious about doing some algebra practice if you want to tackle these questions on your own.
 
  • #18


thank u

thank u

thank u

i can't believe that i solved it

actually i couldn't solve it without u

thank u

thank u

thank u


ok and now i'll check

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

2 log {base 5} of 5 + log {base 5} of 5 = 3

2 * 1 + 1 = 3

2 + 1 = 3

:biggrin:

========

2 log {base x} of 5 + log {base 5} of x = log 1000

2 log {base 25} of 5 + log {base 5} of 25 = 3

2 * 0.5 + 2 = 3

1 + 2 = 3

:biggrin:

========

i'm so happy :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

and again

thank u

thank u

thank u

 

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