How do you solve log_2(x)+log_3(x+1) = 2log2(x)+log3(x+1)=2?

1 Answer
Mar 19, 2016

=>x = 2x=2

Explanation:

Rearrange;

Log_3 (x+1) = 2 - log_2 xlog3(x+1)=2log2x

Log_2 (x+1) = log_2 4 - log_2 xlog2(x+1)=log24log2x

Log_3 (x+1) = log_2 (4/x)log3(x+1)=log2(4x)

Now lets convert everything to base 10

log(x+1)/log3 = log(4/x)/log2log(x+1)log3=log(4x)log2

log (x+1)log 2 = log(4/x)log 3log(x+1)log2=log(4x)log3

Now I am going to take all the x terms and dump them on one side and the numerical terms on one side

log(x+1)/log(4/x) = log3/log2log(x+1)log(4x)=log3log2

Now we can use change of base formula
log_(4/x) (x+1) = log_2 3log4x(x+1)=log23

=>4/x = 24x=2

=>x = 2x=2

=>x + 1 = 3x+1=3

=>x = 2x=2

Technically this step isn't valid for all logs as the bases need not be the same to have the same log value
But as you can see the basis and whats on top yield the same value of x hence this is the solution
We still dont know 2 is the only solution
Yes it is , you need limiting and differential calculus which is wasteful at this point in time

Hence we arrive at a unique solution of 2