Solve: Complex Logarithmic Fraction with log₄7 and log₄₉a Terms

Logarithmic Expressions with Change-of-Base Applications

log⁡47×log⁡149aclog⁡4b= \frac{\log_47\times\log_{\frac{1}{49}}a}{c\log_4b}=

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:05 We'll use the formula for log multiplication, we'll switch between the numbers
00:21 We'll use this formula in our exercise
00:34 We'll use the power rule for logarithms, we'll put the coefficient in the log
00:44 We'll use this formula in our exercise
00:59 We'll solve the log and substitute in the exercise
01:21 We'll break down 49 to 7 squared
02:07 We'll use the formula for log subtraction, we'll get their log quotient
02:23 We'll use this formula in our exercise
02:48 Again we'll use the power rule for logarithms
03:08 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

log⁡47×log⁡149aclog⁡4b= \frac{\log_47\times\log_{\frac{1}{49}}a}{c\log_4b}=

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Express log⁡47\log_4{7} and log⁡149a\log_{\frac{1}{49}}{a} using the change-of-base formula.
  • Step 2: Simplify the product log⁡47×log⁡149a\log_4{7} \times \log_{\frac{1}{49}}{a}.
  • Step 3: Simplify the entire expression by using logarithmic identities.

Let's work through each step:
Step 1: Using the change-of-base formula, log⁡47=log⁡k7log⁡k4\log_4{7} = \frac{\log_k{7}}{\log_k{4}} and log⁡149a=log⁡kalog⁡k149\log_{\frac{1}{49}}{a} = \frac{\log_k{a}}{\log_k{\frac{1}{49}}}. Choose k=10k = 10 (common log) for simplicity.
Note that log⁡k149=log⁡k49−1=−log⁡k49\log_k{\frac{1}{49}} = \log_k{49^{-1}} = -\log_k{49}. Also, 49=7249 = 7^2, so log⁡k49=2log⁡k7\log_k{49} = 2\log_k{7}. Therefore, log⁡149a=log⁡ka−2log⁡k7\log_{\frac{1}{49}}{a} = \frac{\log_k{a}}{-2\log_k{7}}.

Step 2: The product log⁡47×log⁡149a=(log⁡k7log⁡k4)(log⁡ka−2log⁡k7)\log_4{7} \times \log_{\frac{1}{49}}{a} = \left(\frac{\log_k{7}}{\log_k{4}}\right)\left(\frac{\log_k{a}}{-2\log_k{7}}\right) simplifies to log⁡ka−2log⁡k4\frac{\log_k{a}}{-2\log_k{4}} after canceling log⁡k7\log_k{7}.

Step 3: The expression becomes log⁡ka−2log⁡k4clog⁡4b\frac{\frac{\log_k{a}}{-2\log_k{4}}}{c\log_4{b}}, which simplifies to log⁡ka−2clog⁡k4log⁡4b\frac{\log_k{a}}{-2c\log_k{4}\log_4{b}}. Convert log⁡4b\log_4{b} into log⁡kblog⁡k4\frac{\log_k{b}}{\log_k{4}}, leading to log⁡ka−2clog⁡kb\frac{\log_k{a}}{-2c\log_k{b}}. Using the change-of-base formula again, this gives −12log⁡bca-\frac{1}{2}\log_{b^c}{a}.

This can be rewritten using inverse log properties as log⁡bc(1a)\log_{b^c}{\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}\right)}.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is log⁡bc1a\log_{b^c}\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}.

3

Final Answer

log⁡bc1a \log_{b^c}\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Change-of-Base: Convert different bases to simplify complex logarithmic products
  • Technique: Use log⁡149a=log⁡a−2log⁡7 \log_{\frac{1}{49}}a = \frac{\log a}{-2\log 7} since 49 = 7²
  • Check: Verify log⁡bc1a=−12clog⁡ba \log_{b^c}\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}} = -\frac{1}{2c}\log_b a using properties ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting negative sign when converting log base 1/49
    Don't treat log⁡149a \log_{\frac{1}{49}}a as positive = wrong final answer! Since 1/49 = 49⁻¹, this creates a negative in the denominator. Always remember that log⁡1nx=−log⁡nx \log_{\frac{1}{n}}x = -\log_n x .

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( \log_75-\log_72= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does the log⁡47 \log_4 7 cancel out in the multiplication?

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When you multiply log⁡7log⁡4×log⁡a−2log⁡7 \frac{\log 7}{\log 4} \times \frac{\log a}{-2\log 7} , the log 7 terms appear in both numerator and denominator, so they cancel each other out completely!

How do I handle the base 1/49 in logarithms?

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Remember that 149=49−1=(72)−1=7−2 \frac{1}{49} = 49^{-1} = (7^2)^{-1} = 7^{-2} . So log⁡149a=log⁡alog⁡(7−2)=log⁡a−2log⁡7 \log_{\frac{1}{49}}a = \frac{\log a}{\log(7^{-2})} = \frac{\log a}{-2\log 7} .

Why is the final answer written as log⁡bc1a \log_{b^c}\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}} ?

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This uses the inverse property of logarithms. Since −12clog⁡ba=log⁡ba−12c -\frac{1}{2c}\log_b a = \log_b a^{-\frac{1}{2c}} , and we can rewrite the base as bc b^c , it becomes log⁡bca−12=log⁡bc1a \log_{b^c}a^{-\frac{1}{2}} = \log_{b^c}\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}} .

Can I use any base for the change-of-base formula?

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Yes! You can use any base (like base 10, base e, or even base 2). The key is using the same base throughout your calculation so terms can cancel properly.

What if I get confused with all the logarithm properties?

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Focus on these core properties: log⁡abn=nlog⁡ab \log_a b^n = n\log_a b , log⁡anb=1nlog⁡ab \log_{a^n} b = \frac{1}{n}\log_a b , and log⁡1ab=−log⁡ab \log_{\frac{1}{a}} b = -\log_a b . Practice with simple numbers first!

How do I check if my final answer is correct?

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Convert both your answer and the original expression to the same form using logarithm properties. If they simplify to identical expressions, you're correct! Also verify with specific number substitutions.

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