UNIT 6- OBJECTIVE 6 - EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
When solving for an unknown which is an exponent, the general procedure is to take the log of both sides, then use the log properties to bring the exponent down where you can solve for the unknown. You may take either the common log of both sides or the natural log of both sides of the equation. If the equation involves powers of 10, use the common log. If the equation involves powers of e, then the natural log. Example 1Example 2
If all the terms in the equation are log terms, compress the log terms on each side of the equation to get a single log. When solving equations that involve logarithms, you must cross out any answer that would have the equation taking the log of a negative number. Logarithms are only distinct for positive values. Example 3
If some of the terms in the equation are log terms and some are not, then get all the log terms on one side of the equation and compress to a single logarithm. Rewrite in exponential form. Example 4
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