Intermediate Algebra: Connecting Concepts through Application

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 0-53449-636-9
ISBN 13: 978-0-53449-636-4

Chapter 6 - Logarithmic Functions - 6.6 Solving Logarithmic Equations - 6.6 Exercises - Page 535: 52

Answer

$x \approx 22.627$

Work Step by Step

$\log_4 (6x^{3}) - \log_4 (3x) = 5$ $\log_4 \frac{6x^{3}}{3x} = 5$ $\log_4 \frac{6x^{2}}{3} = 5$ $\log_4 2x^{2} = 5$ $4^{5} = 2x^{2}$ $1024 = 2x^{2}$ $512 = x^{2}$ $x = ±\sqrt {512}$ $x \approx 22.627$ Since we can't take the log of a negative number, $x = \sqrt {512}$ is the only possible solution. Check: $\log_4 (6(\sqrt {512})^{3}) - \log_4 (3(\sqrt {512})) \overset{?}{=}5$ $\log_4 (69511.42504) - \log_4 (67.8822...) \overset{?}{=}5$ $\log_4 \frac{(69511.42504)}{(67.8822...) } \overset{?}{=}5$ $\log_4 (1024)\overset{?}{=}5$ $\log_4 (4^{5})\overset{?}{=}5$ $5\log_4 (4)\overset{?}{=}5$ $5(1)\overset{?}{=}5$ $5 = 5$
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