Chapter 10: Problem 201
In the following exercises, solve each logarithmic equation. \(\log _{4}(3 x-2)=2\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \(x = 6\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Equation
The given equation is \(\text{log}_{4}(3x-2)=2\). The goal is to find the value of \(x\).
02
Convert the Logarithmic Equation to Exponential Form
Recall that \(\log_{b}(a) = c\ is equivalent to \ b^c = a\). Using this property, convert \(\log_{4}(3x-2)=2\) to the exponential form: \(4^2 = 3x-2\).
03
Simplify the Exponential Equation
Calculate \(4^2\): \(4^2 = 16\). Now the equation is \(16 = 3x - 2\).
04
Solve for x
Solve for \(x\) by isolating it on one side of the equation. Add 2 to both sides: \(16 + 2 = 3x\), which simplifies to \(18 = 3x\). Next, divide both sides by 3: \(x = \frac{18}{3}\), which simplifies to \(x = 6\).
05
Verify the Solution
Substitute \(x = 6\) back into the original equation to verify the solution: \(\log_{4}(3 \cdot 6 - 2) = \log_{4}(18 - 2) = \log_{4}(16) = 2\). Since both sides of the equation are equal, the solution is correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Form Conversion
To solve a logarithmic equation, a key step is often converting it into its exponential form. This helps simplify the equation and makes it easier to solve. When you see \(\text{log}_{b}(a) = c\), you can rewrite it in the exponential form as \(b^c = a\). This means you're using the base of the logarithm raised to the power of the result to get the original argument. For instance, in the equation \(\text{log}_{4}(3x-2)=2\), we convert it to the exponential form as \(4^2 = 3x-2\). This conversion is crucial because it transforms the logarithmic equation into a more familiar format that is easier to solve.
Logarithmic Functions
Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions. Understanding their properties is essential for solving logarithmic equations. For example:
- \( \text{log}_{b}(xy) = \text{log}_{b}(x) + \text{log}_{b}(y) \)
- \( \text{log}_{b}(x/y) = \text{log}_{b}(x) - \text{log}_{b}(y) \)
- \( \text{log}_{b}(x^y) = y\text{log}_{b}(x) \)
Solving Equations
Once we've converted the logarithmic equation to an exponential form, solving it is straightforward. Here’s a simple step-by-step strategy:
- First, isolate the exponential term if it’s not already alone. For example, in \(4^2 = 3x-2\), the term is already isolated.
- Next, compute the value of the exponential expression. Here, \(4^2 = 16\).
- Then, solve the resulting linear equation. Add or subtract terms to isolate the variable. In our example: \(16 = 3x - 2\) translates to \(18 = 3x\) after adding 2 to both sides.
- Finally, solve for the variable by dividing or multiplying as necessary. Here, divide both sides by 3: \(x = 6\).