Solving Logs Notes

Reminders: For any base 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1

+,-4 5
log $ 𝑏 = 1 log $ 1 = 0 log $ 𝑏 ) = 𝑥 𝑏+,-. ) = 𝑥 (𝑥 > 0) log $ 𝑀 =
+,-4 $

5
log $ (𝑀𝑁) = log $ 𝑀 + log $ 𝑁 log $ 8 : = log $ 𝑀 − log $ 𝑁 log $ 𝑀< = plog $ 𝑀
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Case 1: Only exponents with the same bases.

(Get the same bases and use the uniqueness property to solve.)

'(!" % !
) ( ) .
1. )'!"#$
= 4, 2. 16&. ∙ 64. = 012 ∙ 032

Case 2: Only one exponent and constants.

(Since you can’t get the same bases you must take the log of both sides. Remember to isolate the
base with the exponents and then use the log with same base as the exponential term.)

1. 7. = 12.3 2. 17 − 53.;< = 9
Case 3: Only one log and constants.
(Take the log and turn it into an exponential equation. Then solve.)
1. log A(4𝑥 + 11) = 2 2. ln(6𝑥 − 5) = 3

Case 4: Only logs on one side of the equation.

(Use the log properties to combine the logs (remember same bases required!), then you are at
Case #3…change to an exponential equation.)
1. log 3(𝑥 + 5) − log 3(2𝑥 − 1) = 5 2. log' 𝑥 + log '(𝑥 − 9) = 2

Case 5: Only one log on both sides of the equation.

(This is just like Case #1, but with logs. If the two logs have the equal bases, then the arguments
must be equal. Set the arguments equal to each other and then solve.)
1. ln(𝑥 3 − 𝑥 ) = ln 4𝑥 2. log)3 (𝑥 3 + 35) = log)3 (−12𝑥 − 1)
 Case 6: Simplify one and/or both sides (including moving expressions within the equation)
of the equation and then solve.
(If there are constants in the problem, get all logs to one side and then you are back to Case #4.
If there are no constants, then get logs on only sides. Now you are back to Case #5.)
1. 2 log G 𝑥 = log G 2 + log G(3𝑥 − 4) 2. log <(𝑥 + 25) = 3 + log <(𝑥 − 1)

Case 7: Different bases that can't be made into the same base.
(Get one exponential on each side and then take the log of both sides (the most common log is
the natural log, but any could be used). Then solve for x by using Algebra techniques.)
1. 3);. = 2 2. 33.H) = 2.;3

Reminders: For any base 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1

+,-4 5
log $ 𝑏 = 1 log $ 1 = 0 log $ 𝑏 ) = 𝑥 𝑏+,-. ) = 𝑥 (𝑥 > 0) log $ 𝑀 =
+,-4 $

5
log $ (𝑀𝑁) = log $ 𝑀 + log $ 𝑁 log $ 8 : = log $ 𝑀 − log $ 𝑁 log $ 𝑀< = plog $ 𝑀
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