Answer
$x=5$
Work Step by Step
$\bf{\text{Solution Outline:}}$
To solve the given equation, $
\log x+\log(x+15)=2
,$ use the properties of logarithms to simplify the left-hand expression. Then change to exponential form. Express the resulting equation in the form $ax^2+bx+c=0$ and use concepts of solving quadratic equations. Then do checking of the solutions with the original equation.
$\bf{\text{Solution Details:}}$
Using the Product Rule of Logarithms, which is given by $\log_b (xy)=\log_bx+\log_by,$ the expression above is equivalent \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \log x(x+15)=2 .\end{array}
Since $y=b^x$ is equivalent to $\log_b y=x,$ the exponential form of the equation above is \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \log_{10} x(x+15)=2 \\\\ x(x+15)=10^2 \\\\ x^2+15x=100 \\\\ x^2+15x-100=0 .\end{array}
Using the FOIL Method which is given by $(a+b)(c+d)=ac+ad+bc+bd,$ the factored form of the equation above is
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
(x+20)(x-5)=0
.\end{array}
Equating each factor to zero (Zero Product Property), then the solutions are
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
x+20=0
\\\\\text{OR}\\\\
x=5
.\end{array}
Solving each equation results to
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
x+20=0
\\\\
x=-20
\\\\\text{OR}\\\\
x-5=0
\\\\
x=5
.\end{array}
If $
x=-20
,$ the part of the given expression, $
\log x
,$ becomes $
\log (-20)
.$ This is not allowed since $
\log x$ is defined only for positive values of $x.$ Hence, only $
x=5
$ satisfies the original equation.