Question
Question: If \(\log x-5 \log 3=-2\) then x equals? a) 1.25 b) 0.81 c) 2.43 d) 0.8 e) Either 0.8 or 1...
If logx−5log3=−2 then x equals?
a) 1.25
b) 0.81
c) 2.43
d) 0.8
e) Either 0.8 or 1.25
Solution
Hint: First convert the term in the right hand side also to logarithm. Now every term of the equation is a logarithm. Apply basic properties of logarithm, try to keep the variable on the left hand side and remaining all terms on the right hand side. Now remove the log and write the equation of x, by this find the value of x. This value of x is the required result.
Complete step-by-step answer:
Given equation in the question is written in form of:
logx−5log3=−2
By basic logarithmic properties we can say that:
a=log10a
By applying this to term on the right hand side, we get it as:
logx−5log3=log10−2
By basic properties of logarithm we can say that:
alogb=logba
By applying this to the middle term, we can say it as:
logx−log35=log10−2
By basic knowledge of power of 3, we can say that:
35=243
By substituting this into our equation, we can write as;
logx−log243=log10−2
By basic knowledge of power of 10, we can say that:
10−2=1001
By substituting this value into our equation, we get it as:
logx−log243=log1001
By adding term log243 on both sides, we get it as:
logx−log243+log243=log1001+log243
By cancelling the common terms, we can write it as:
logx=log1001+log243
By basic properties of logarithm, we know the formula:
loga+logb=logab
By applying this to our equation we get it as:
logx=log100243
By comparing, we can say the values of x in form of
x=100243
By simplifying, we get it as, x = 2.43. Therefore option (c) is correct.
Note: Alternate method is apply difference formula of left side get log35x and compare to get 35x=10−2 . By solving this you will get the same result. Be careful while applying the log on the right side, if you forget that “-“ you will get it as 100 and the answer will be 24300 which is absolutely wrong.