If (log2 3 + log2 (6x - 4) = log2 (5 + 2x) + 3) what is the value of x
If \log_2 3 + \log_2 (6x - 4) = \log_2 (5 + 2x) + 3, what is the value of x?
Solving Logarithmic Equations
To find the value of x, let’s solve the given logarithmic equation step by step.
Step 1: Combine Logarithms on the Left Side
Using the logarithmic property that states \log_b (A) + \log_b (B) = \log_b (A \cdot B), we can combine the terms on the left side of the equation:
Thus the equation becomes:
Step 2: Eliminate the Logarithms
We want to isolate the terms involving x. First, let’s handle the constant term +3 on the right side:
We can write +3 as \log_2 8 because 2^3 = 8, leading to:
Again, use the logarithmic property to combine these logarithms on the right side:
So the equation becomes:
Since the logarithms are equal, we can set the arguments equal to each other because the logarithmic function is one-to-one:
Step 3: Simplify the Expression
Expand both sides of the equation:
- Left side: 3(6x - 4) = 18x - 12
- Right side: 8(5 + 2x) = 40 + 16x
Equate and simplify:
Step 4: Solve for x
Move all x terms to one side and constant terms to the other:
Now, divide by 2:
Verification
To verify the solution, substitute x = 26 back into the original equation:
Original expression:
Substitute x = 26:
- \log_2 3 + \log_2 (156 - 4) = \log_2 (5 + 52) + 3
- \log_2 3 + \log_2 152 = \log_2 57 + 3
Convert +3 into logarithmic form:
- \log_2 8 = 3, so \log_2 3 + \log_2 152 = \log_2 57 + \log_2 8
Combine:
- \log_2 (3 \times 152) = \log_2 (57 \times 8)
Calculate:
- 3 \times 152 = 456 and 57 \times 8 = 456
Since both sides equal \log_2 456, the solution is correct.
Therefore, the value of x is indeed 26.