What is the relationship between logarithms and simplifying expressions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between logarithms and simplifying expressions, focusing on the manipulation of logarithmic expressions and the process of changing logarithms to a common base. Participants explore various mathematical transformations and simplifications related to logarithmic identities and operations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants present logarithmic expressions involving different bases and inquire about the implications of changing to a common base.
  • There are multiple expressions proposed for simplification, with participants suggesting various forms and transformations of logarithmic identities.
  • One participant proposes changing logarithms to base \( p \) and provides a specific transformation for \( \log_n(p) \).
  • Participants discuss the process of finding a common denominator for fractions involving logarithms, with examples provided for clarity.
  • There is a back-and-forth regarding the correct application of logarithmic properties, with some participants correcting each other's expressions and clarifying misunderstandings.
  • Some participants express confusion about the simplification process and seek further clarification on applying logarithmic rules.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the simplification methods or the correctness of certain expressions. There are competing views on how to approach the transformations and simplifications of logarithmic expressions.

Contextual Notes

Some expressions and transformations are presented without full derivations or justifications, leading to potential misunderstandings. The discussion includes various assumptions about logarithmic properties that may not be universally accepted by all participants.

Elena1
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$$(\sqrt{{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right) +2} *(\log_{n}\left({p}\right)-\log_{np}\left({p}\right)) \sqrt{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)}$$
 
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Elena said:
$$(\sqrt{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right) +2) *(\log_{n}\left({p}\right)-\log_{np}\left({p}\right)) \sqrt{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)}$$

What do you get if you change everything to the same base? (Wondering)
 
under the radical is the second expresion, also
 
Elena said:
under the radical is the second expresion, also

Please post it as it should be.
 
i did it
 
Elena said:
i did it

Good! ;)

Can you change the logarithms to the same base now?
Let's say to base $p$?

For instance:
$$\log_n(p) = \frac{\log_p(p)}{\log_p(n)}$$
 
$$\sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}+2} * \frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)-\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({np}\right)}* \sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}}$$
 
Elena said:
$$(\sqrt{{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right) +2} *(\log_{n}\left({p}\right)-\log_{np}\left({p}\right)) \sqrt{\log_{n}\left({p}\right)}$$

Elena said:
$$\sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}+2} * \frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)-\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({np}\right)}* \sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}}$$

I guess you mean:
$$\sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)} +\log_{p}\left({n}\right) + 2}
\cdot \left(\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}-\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({np}\right)}\right)
\cdot \sqrt{\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}}$$
:rolleyes:

How about simplifying a little? (Wondering)
 
what ?
 
  • #10
Elena said:
what ?

Well... $\log_p(np)=\log_p(n) + \log_p(p)=\log_p(n) + 1$.
 
  • #11
how to bring the same denominator? what should I receive at the top(numerator)
 
  • #12
Elena said:
how to bring the same denominator? what should I receive at the top(numerator)

Suppose you want to calculate $\frac 1 2 - \frac 1 5$.
What does the top become? (Wondering)
 
  • #13
I like Serena said:
Suppose you want to calculate $\frac 1 2 - \frac 1 5$.
What does the top become? (Wondering)

3/10

- - - Updated - - -

can you help me please to solve thoroughly?
 
  • #14
Elena said:
3/10

- - - Updated - - -

can you help me please to solve thoroughly?

Yes.

How did you find 3/10 exactly?

That's what we want to do with $$\frac{1}{\log_{p}({n})}-\frac{1}{\log_{p}({n}) + 1}$$ as well...
 
  • #15
I like Serena said:
Yes.

How did you find 3/10 exactly?

That's what we want to do with $$\frac{1}{\log_{p}({n})}-\frac{1}{\log_{p}({n}) + 1}$$ as well...

i know but i don`t understand it with logariths can you show/
 
  • #16
Elena said:
i know but i don`t understand it with logariths can you show/

Making it explicit, we have:
$$\frac 1 2 - \frac 1 5
= \frac {1\cdot 5} {2\cdot 5} - \frac {1\cdot 2} {2\cdot 5}
= \frac {1\cdot 5 - 1\cdot 2} {2\cdot 5}
=\frac{3}{10}
$$
First we make the denominators equal, then we subtract.

More generally:
$$\frac a b - \frac c d
= \frac {a\cdot d - b\cdot c} {b\cdot d}
$$

Can you apply it to the fractions with the logarithms? (Wondering)
 
  • #17
I like Serena said:
Making it explicit, we have:
$$\frac 1 2 - \frac 1 5
= \frac {1\cdot 5} {2\cdot 5} - \frac {1\cdot 2} {2\cdot 5}
= \frac {1\cdot 5 - 1\cdot 2} {2\cdot 5}
=\frac{3}{10}
$$
First we make the denominators equal, then we subtract.

More generally:
$$\frac a b - \frac c d
= \frac {a\cdot d - b\cdot c} {b\cdot d}
$$

Can you apply it to the fractions with the logarithms? (Wondering)

$$\frac{\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)-\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)}$$

- - - Updated - - -

Elena said:
$$\frac{\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)-\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)}$$

$$\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)}$$
 
  • #18
Elena said:
$$\frac{\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)-\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)}$$

- - - Updated - - -

$$\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n+1}\right)}$$

Close!

But your parentheses are not quite right.
It should be:
$$\frac 1{\log_p(n)} - \frac 1{\log_p(n) + 1}
=\frac{(\log_p(n) + 1)-\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)\cdot(\log_p(n) + 1)}
=\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)\cdot(\log_p(n) + 1)}
$$
 
  • #19
I like Serena said:
Close!

But your parentheses are not quite right.
It should be:
$$\frac 1{\log_p(n)} - \frac 1{\log_p(n) + 1}
=\frac{(\log_p(n) + 1)-\log_{p}\left({n}\right)}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)\cdot(\log_p(n) + 1)}
=\frac{1}{\log_{p}\left({n}\right)\cdot(\log_p(n) + 1)}
$$
and $$\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n}\right)= 2\log_{p}\left({n}\right)$$
 
  • #20
Elena said:
and $$\log_{p}\left({n}\right)*\log_{p}\left({n}\right)= 2\log_{p}\left({n}\right)$$

Sorry, but no.
It should be:
$$\log_{p}\left({n}\right)\cdot\log_{p}\left({n}\right)= (\log_{p}(n))^2$$

I suspect you were thinking of:
$$\log_{p}(n\cdot n) = 2\log_{p}({n})$$
But that is something different.
 

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