Precalculus (6th Edition) Blitzer

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13446-914-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-13446-914-0

Chapter 3 - Section 3.4 - Exponential and Logarithmic Equations - Exercise Set - Page 489: 72

Answer

Solution set = $\{2\}$

Work Step by Step

For the equation to be defined, logarithms must have positive arguments $\left[\begin{array}{lll} x+2 \gt 0, & and & x-1 \gt 0\\ x \gt -2 & & x \gt 1 \end{array}\right]$ $ x \gt 1 \qquad (*)$ This is the condition eventual solutions must satisfy. $\log_{4}(x+2)-\log_{4}(x-1)=1$ LHS: apply the quotient rule; RHS: write $1$ as $\log_{4}4$ $\displaystyle \log_{4}\frac{(x+2)}{(x-1)}=\log_{4}4\qquad $ (if $\log_{b}M=\log_{b}N,$ then M=N) $\displaystyle \frac{x+2}{x-1}=4\qquad $ ... multiply with $(x-1)$ $ x+2=4(x-1)$ $ x+2=4x-4\qquad $ ... add $4-x $ $6=3x $ $ x=2\qquad $... satisfies (*) Solution set = $\{2\}$
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