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A logarithmic equation is an equation that contains logarithms. Similarly, a logarithmic inequality is an inequality that contains logarithms. This lesson will discuss how to solve logarithmic equations and inequalities.

Catch-Up and Review

Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.

Challenge

Solving Equations With the Variable in the Exponent

If both sides of an exponential equation can be written as powers with the same base, then the equation can be solved algebraically by using the Property of Equality for Exponential Equations. What happens if the sides of an exponential equation cannot be written as powers with the same base?
How could this type of equation be solved? Round the answer to two decimal places.
Discussion

Exponential Equation

An exponential equation is an equation where variable expressions occur as exponents. As with any kind of equation, there are different types of exponential equations.

Example Equation
With One Variable
With the Same Variable on Both Sides
With the Same Base
With Unlike Bases
With a Rational Base
Method

Solving an Exponential Equation Using Logarithms

An exponential equation can be solved by using the definition of a logarithm. Consider the following example.
To solve this equation, three steps must be followed.
1
Use the Definition of a Logarithm
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First, the definition of a logarithm will be used to isolate the variable term.
2
Solve the Resulting Equation
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Now that the variable is not in an exponent any more, the obtained equation can be solved.
Solve for

3
Check the Solution
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The solution will be checked to make sure it is not an extraneous solution. To do so, will be substituted in the original equation.

Since a true statement was obtained, is a solution to the equation.

Alternative Solution

Both sides of the original equation are positive. Therefore, instead of using the definition of a logarithm to rewrite the equation, common logarithms can be taken on both sides. Then, the Power Property of Logarithms can be used.

Example

Eat the Chapati Before Fungi Grows!

Emily and her friends went to the beach on a cloudy afternoon and cooked some chapati.

Chapati.jpeg

Since they did not smoke the chapati and did not use salt in the cooking process, Emily knows that it will not be too long before the food spoils. Food spoilage is generally caused due to the action of microorganisms like fungi. Fungal growth is exponential and given by the following exponential function.
Here, is the amount of fungi in the chapati hours after it has been baked. Emily knows that they cannot eat the chapati once the amount of fungi is
a Write an exponential equation that must be solved to find out after how many hours the amount of fungi in the chapati is
b Solve the equation from Part A. Round the answer to the nearest integer.

Hint

a Does the number correspond to amount of fungi or time?
b Divide both sides of the equation by and then use the definition of a logarithm.

Solution

a Since the number corresponds to amount of fungi, this number will be substituted for in the given formula.
b The equation from Part A will now be solved. To do so, start by dividing both sides by
Now use the definition of a logarithm. This helps to remove the variable from the exponent.
Finally, the equation can be solved for
Solve for

Just to make sure the obtained solution is not an extraneous solution, will be substituted in the equation.

Evaluate right-hand side
Since a true statement was obtained, is the solution to the equation. This means that the chapati will become unsafe to eat due to fungi growth about hours after cooking it.
Discussion

Exponential Property of Inequality

An exponential inequality is an inequality that involves exponential expressions.

Let be a positive real number different than The following statements hold true.

These facts are also valid for strict inequalities.

Proof

The statements will be proved one at a time.

If is greater than the exponential function is increasing for its entire domain.

increasing exponential function
In the graph, it can be seen that if and only if Considering the definition of the statement is proven.

If is greater than and less than then is decreasing for its entire domain.

decreasing exponential function
In the graph, it is seen that if and only if Considering the definition of the statement is proven.


This property is also known as Property of Inequality for Exponential Functions and is useful when solving exponential inequalities.
Example

Solving an Exponential Inequality

Back home from the beach, Emily realized that she managed to solve an exponential equation to calculate the expiration of the chapati she and her friends cooked. However, she also realized that she has not practiced solving exponential inequalities. To help her practice, she went online to find some worksheets and found an interesting inequality.

emily online
Help Emily solve the inequality!

Solution

To solve the inequality, all numbers involved will first be written as powers of To start, will be written as
Now, all the numbers can be written as powers of

The base of the expressions on both sides is which is is greater than Therefore, by the Exponential Property of Inequality, the left-hand side of the inequality is less than the right-hand side if and only if the exponent on the left-hand side is less than the exponent on the right-hand side.
The inequality can finally be solved.
Solve for
Discussion

Logarithmic Equation

A logarithmic equation is an equation where the variable is in the argument of a logarithm. An example equation is shown below.

Method

Solving Logarithmic Equations Graphically

Logarithmic equations can be tricky to solve sometimes. However, if the exact solution is not needed, an approximated solution can be found by solving the equation graphically. Consider an example logarithmic equation.
There are three steps to follow to solve logarithmic equations graphically.
1
Create Two Functions From the Given Equation
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Each side of the equation can be considered as a function. In this case, both sides can be written as logarithmic functions.
The idea is that each function should be relatively easy to graph.
2
Graph the Functions
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A table of values including both functions will be made. However, the domain of each function needs to be considered first.
With the domains in mind, the table can now be constructed.
- -
- -

Now both functions will be graphed on the same coordinate plane.

functions

The number of solutions to the equation is the number of points of intersection of the graphs. These graphs have one point of intersection, so there is only one solution.

3
Identify the coordinates of the Points of Intersection
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The solutions to the equation are the coordinates of any points of intersection of the graphs.

functions
The coordinate of the point of intersection is about Therefore, the solution to the equation is This can be verified by substituting for in the given equation and checking whether a true statement is obtained.

Evaluate
Since a true statement was obtained, is a solution to the equation. In this case, an exact solution cannot be found graphically.
Example

Acidic, Basic, and Neutral Solutions

In her chemistry lesson, Emily is learning about the acidity and alkalinity of substances. The acidity or alkalinity of a substance is defined by the value of pH, where is the hydrogen ion concentration of the substance measured in moles per liter.
For example, since their pH values are less than lemon juice and vinegar are acidic solutions. Conversely, hand soap and eggs are a basic, because their pH value is greater then Water is a neutral solution. Emily is working with a solution with a pH of What is the hydrogen ion concentration of this solution? Round the answer to the nearest mole per liter.

Hint

Substitute for pH and solve the logarithmic equation by graphing.

Solution

To find the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution with a pH of the number must be substituted for pH in the given formula.
Next, to solve the equation, each side will be considered as a function.
The first function is a horizontal line whose intercept is The second is a logarithmic function. Considering that its domain is make a table of values.

Now, graph the functions on the same coordinate plane.

graphs of the line and logarithmic function

The graphs intersect at one point. The coordinate of the point of intersection is the hydrogen ion concentration of the solution.

point of intersection
The exact value of the coordinate cannot be identified. However, the answer must be rounded to the nearest mole per liter, so the hydrogen concentration of the solution with a pH of is rounded to the nearest mole per liter. The last step is to check the solution by substituting it back into the equation.

Since a true statement was obtained, is a solution to the equation.
Discussion

Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations

Let be a positive real number different than Two logarithms with the same base are equal if and only if their arguments are equal.

Since logarithms are defined for positive numbers, and must be positive.

Proof

The biconditional statement will be proved in two parts.

Let be a real number such that
By using the definition of a logarithm, the logarithm equation can be written as an exponential equation.
Finally, can be substituted for and the Inverse Property of Logarithms can be used.

The Inverse Property of Logarithms can be used to express as
Now, let be a real number such that
Next, the definition of a logarithm can be used to rewrite the obtained exponential equation as a logarithmic equation.
Finally, by its own defitnion, is equal to
Method

Solving Logarithmic Equations by Using the Property of Equality

If both sides of a logarithmic equation can be written as a single logarithm with the same base with and then the equation can be solved by using the Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations. Consider the following logarithmic equation.
To solve the equation, there are four steps to follow.
1
Rewrite Both Sides as a Single Logarithm With the Same Base
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To rewrite the left-hand side as a single logarithm with base the Product Property of Logarithms will be used. To rewrite the right-hand side as a single logarithm with base the Change of Base Formula will be used.

Next, to calculate the value of the definition of a logarithm will be used. Keep in mind that
Knowing that we can continue writing both sides of the equation as a single logarithm with the same bse.

Calculate logarithm

Both sides of the equation have been written as a single logarithm with base
2
Use the Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations
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Next, the Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations can be used to simplify the expressions.
3
Solve the Obtained Equation
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Now, the obtained equation can be solved. This equation does not involve logarithms.
Solve for
Two solutions were found, and
4
Check the Solutions
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Finally, the solutions must be checked. It is not uncommon to find extraneous solutions. The solution will be checked first.