Solve the Logarithmic Equation: Base-8 and Base-4 Logs with Quadratic Terms

Logarithmic Equations with Mixed Bases

log89log83+log4x2=log81.5+log82+log4(x211x9) \log_89-\log_83+\log_4x^2=\log_81.5+\log_82+\log_4(-x^2-11x-9)

?=x

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

log89log83+log4x2=log81.5+log82+log4(x211x9) \log_89-\log_83+\log_4x^2=\log_81.5+\log_82+\log_4(-x^2-11x-9)

?=x

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the equation: log89log83+log4x2=log81.5+log82+log4(x211x9) \log_8 9 - \log_8 3 + \log_4 x^2 = \log_8 1.5 + \log_8 2 + \log_4 (-x^2 - 11x - 9) , we proceed as follows:

Step 1: Simplify Both Sides
On the left-hand side (LHS), apply logarithmic subtraction: log8(93)+log4x2=log83+log4x2 \log_8 \left(\frac{9}{3}\right) + \log_4 x^2 = \log_8 3 + \log_4 x^2 .
Note log83\log_8 3 remains and convert log4x2\log_4 x^2 using the base switch to 88:
log4x2=2log4x=2×log8xlog822=log8xlog82 \log_4 x^2 = 2\log_4 x = 2 \times \frac{\log_8 x}{\log_8 2^2} = \frac{\log_8 x}{\log_8 2} .
Thus, the LHS combines into:
log83+2log8xlog84 \log_8 3 + \frac{2\log_8 x}{\log_8 4} (because log4x2=2log4x\log_4 x^2 = 2 \log_4 x).

On the right-hand side (RHS):
Combine: log8(1.5×2)=log83 \log_8 (1.5 \times 2) = \log_8 3 .
Also apply for log4 \log_4 term:
log4(x211x9)=log8(x211x9)log84 \log_4 (-x^2 - 11x - 9) = \frac{\log_8 (-x^2 - 11x - 9)}{\log_8 4} .

Step 2: Equalize Both Sides
Equate LHS and RHS logarithmic expressions:
log83+2log8xlog84=log83+log8(x211x9)log84 \log_8 3 + \frac{2\log_8 x}{\log_8 4} = \log_8 3 + \frac{\log_8 (-x^2 - 11x - 9)}{\log_8 4} .
The log83\log_8 3 cancels out on both sides, leaving:
2log8xlog84=log8(x211x9)log84 \frac{2\log_8 x}{\log_8 4} = \frac{\log_8 (-x^2 - 11x - 9)}{\log_8 4} .

Step 3: Solve for xx
Since the denominators are equal, set the numerators equal:
2log8x=log8(x211x9) 2\log_8 x = \log_8 (-x^2 - 11x - 9) .
Translate this into an exponential equation:
(x2)2=x211x9 (x^2)^2 = -x^2 - 11x - 9 or
82log8x=x211x9 8^{2\log_8 x} = -x^2 - 11x - 9 .
Let y=xy = x, solve the resulting quadratic equation:
x2=x211x9 x^2 = -x^2 - 11x - 9 .
Then, finding valid x x by allowing roots of polynomial calculations should yield laws consistency:
x211x9=0 -x^2 - 11x - 9 = 0 or rather substituting potential values. After appropriate checks:

The valid xx that satisfies the problem is thus x=4.5x = -4.5.

3

Final Answer

4.5 -4.5

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Use logarithm properties to combine and simplify terms
  • Technique: Convert bases using log4x=log8xlog84 \log_4 x = \frac{\log_8 x}{\log_8 4}
  • Check: Verify domain restrictions and substitute back into original equation ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Ignoring domain restrictions for logarithmic expressions
    Don't forget that arguments of logarithms must be positive = negative values cause undefined expressions! Students often solve algebraically but get invalid solutions. Always check that all arguments like x² and (-x²-11x-9) are positive for your final answer.

Practice Quiz

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\( \log_{10}3+\log_{10}4= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just ignore the different bases and solve directly?

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Different bases make direct combination impossible! You must convert to a common base first using the change of base formula: logax=logbxlogba \log_a x = \frac{\log_b x}{\log_b a}

How do I know which base to convert everything to?

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Choose the base that appears most frequently or is easiest to work with. In this problem, converting base-4 logs to base-8 using log84=32 \log_8 4 = \frac{3}{2} simplifies the work.

What if I get multiple solutions from the quadratic?

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Always check both solutions in the original equation! Logarithmic equations often produce extraneous solutions that don't satisfy domain restrictions (arguments must be positive).

Why does x² appear in the logarithm instead of just x?

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The x2 x^2 ensures the argument is always positive (when x ≠ 0), which is required for logarithms to be defined. This affects both the algebra and domain considerations.

How do I handle the negative expression (-x²-11x-9)?

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This expression must be positive for the logarithm to exist! Factor or complete the square to find when x211x9>0 -x^2-11x-9 > 0 , which restricts your possible solutions.

Can I use properties like log(a) - log(b) = log(a/b) with different bases?

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No! Logarithm properties only work when all logs have the same base. Convert to a common base first, then apply the properties.

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