# Solving logarithm problem for Y

1. Aug 23, 2008

### fr33pl4gu3

(For those values of x for which a solution exists), solve the following equation for y

3e3y-6 = 2x2-1

What does it mean by the values of x exists??

Last edited: Aug 23, 2008
2. Aug 23, 2008

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
Re: logarithm

Because of the nature of the domain of the logarithm one can not evaluate $y=\ln x$ for all x. Specifically the domain of the logarithm is all positive numbers. Therefore, we say that no solution exists for $y=\ln x$ in the domain $x\in\left(-\infty, 0\right]$.

So the question is asking you to solve the equation for y, for all values of x which exist. I hope that makes sense.

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2008
3. Aug 23, 2008

### Swerting

Re: logarithm

Say you have $$ln(x)=y$$.
This could be seen as $$e^y=x$$
It is impossible to raise any real number to any power and have it equal 0 or any number below that (feel free to try, in fact, I encourage it). Since it can't exist as $$x\in(-\infty,0)$$, there are only certain numbers it can exist as.

4. Aug 23, 2008

### tiny-tim

Hi fr33pl4gu3!