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91Ó°ÊÓ

Why can't we determine a logarithm of 0? (Hint: Think of the definition of logarithm.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
We can't determine \(\text{log}_b(0)\) because no power of a positive base can give 0.

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Definition of Logarithm

A logarithm is the power to which a number (the base) must be raised to produce a given number. Mathematically, for a base \(b\) and a number \(x\), the logarithm of \(x\) is defined as \(\text{log}_b(x) = y\) if and only if \(b^y = x\).
02

- Consider a Logarithm with Argument 0

Applying the definition, consider \(\text{log}_b(0)\). According to the definition, this would mean we need to find a \(y\) such that \(b^y = 0\).
03

- Analyze the Exponential Function

For any positive base \(b > 0\), the exponential function \(b^y\) is always positive for all real \(y\). This means \(b^y > 0\) for all real \(y\).
04

- Conclude the Impossibility

Because the exponential function \(b^y\) never reaches 0 for any real number \(y\), there is no real number \(y\) that satisfies \(b^y = 0\). Therefore, \(\text{log}_b(0)\) is undefined.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

logarithm definition
A logarithm helps us understand magnitudes by answering the question:

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