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Combine, Then Undo

Part of the Exponentials, Logs & Sequences section of Coddy's Algebra 2 journey. Lesson 28 of 46.

log⁡6(x)+log⁡6(x−1)=1\log_{6}\left(x\right)+\log_{6}\left(x-1\right) = 1 has two logs, and the undo move works on one. So join them first with the product rule, which holds while both inputs are positive: log⁡6(x)+log⁡6(x−1)=log⁡6(x(x−1))\log_{6}\left(x\right)+\log_{6}\left(x-1\right) = \log_{6}\left(x\left(x-1\right)\right).

Now there is one log, and raising 6 to both sides undoes it: x(x−1)=6x\left(x-1\right) = 6, an ordinary quadratic. Expand, move the 6 across and factor: (x−3)(x+2)=0\left(x-3\right)\left(x+2\right) = 0, so x is 3 or -2.

Those are only candidates. Put each back into the original equation. With x = 3 the inputs are 3 and 2, both positive, and log⁡6(3)+log⁡6(2)\log_{6}\left(3\right)+\log_{6}\left(2\right) is log⁡6(6)\log_{6}\left(6\right), which is 1. With x = -2 the first input is -2, and the log of a negative number has no value, so -2 is thrown out. The board's move Check x = ... in the original equation runs this test for each candidate.

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Challenge

Solve log⁡2(x)+log⁡2(x+2)=3\log_{2}\left(x\right)+\log_{2}\left(x+2\right) = 3. Check every candidate and keep only the true answers.

Try it yourself

log⁡2(x)+log⁡2(x+2)=3\log_{2}\left(x\right)+\log_{2}\left(x+2\right) = 3

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