Logarithmic Equations
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In this lesson, we will look into how to solve logarithmic equations using the Properties of Logarithms.
An equation that contains a logarithm of a variable quantity is called a logarithmic equation. Logarithmic equations can generally be solved using the properties of logarithm and the following property.
For two logarithms of the same base,
Log a M = log a N ↔ M = N
Example:
Solve the logarithmic equation
log 2 (x – 1) + log 2 (x – 4) = log 2 (2x – 6)
Solution:
log 2 (x – 1) + log 2 (x – 4) = log 2 (2x – 6)
log 2 (x – 1)(x – 4) = log 2 (2x – 6)
(x – 1)(x – 4) = (2x – 6)
x2 – 5x + 4 = 2x – 6
x2 – 7 x + 10 = 0
(x – 2)(x – 5) = 0
x = 2 or 5
We need to check whether each logarithm is defined for these values of x.
When x = 2,
log 2 (x – 1) = log 2 1
log 2 (x – 4) = log 2 (– 2) , whuch is undefined
log 2 (2x – 6) = log 2 (– 2) , whuch is undefined
So, x = 2 is rejected
When x = 5,
log 2 (x – 1) = log 2 4
log 2 (x – 4) = log 2 1
log 2 (2x – 6) = log 2 4
So, x = 5 is the answer
Example:
Solve the logarithmic equation
log 3 2 + log 3 (x + 4) = 2log 3 x
Solution:
log 3 2 + log 3 (x + 4) = 2log 3 x
log 3 2(x + 4) = log 3 x2
2(x + 4) = x2
x2 – 2x – 8 = 0
(x – 4)(x + 2) =0
x = 4 or –2
x = –2 is rejected because log 3 (–2) is undefined
So the answer is x = 4
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