College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 6 - Section 6.5 - Properties of Logarithms - 6.5 Assess Your Understanding - Page 459: 32

Answer

$-a$

Work Step by Step

$\bf{\text{Solution Outline:}}$ To write the given expression, $ \ln0.5 ,$ in terms of $a$ and $b,$ where $a=\ln2$ and $b=\ln3,$ use the laws of logarithms and substitution. $\bf{\text{Solution Details:}}$ The given expression is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \ln\dfrac{1}{2} .\end{array} Using the Quotient Rule of Logarithms, which is given by $\log_b \dfrac{x}{y}=\log_bx-\log_by,$ the expression above is equivalent to: \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \ln1-\ln2 .\end{array} Since $\ln1=0,$ the expression above is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} 0-\ln2 \\\\= -\ln2 .\end{array} By substitution, since $a=\ln2,$ the expression above is equivalent to: \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} -a .\end{array}
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