# Math Help - Simplifying log. expressions.

1. ## Simplifying log. expressions.

Help. In a hurry.

$ln(15x^3)/y^5$

I dunno how to do the math tags exactly, but the fraction is 15x^3 over y^5

2. Originally Posted by mankvill
Help. In a hurry.

$ln(15x^3)/y^5$

I dunno how to do the math tags exactly, but the fraction is 15x^3 over y^5
did you mean $\ln \left(\frac{15x^3}{y^5}\right)$?

well, you can use this..

$\ln (ab) = \ln a + \ln b$

$\ln (a/b) = \ln a - \ln b$

$\ln (a^b) = b\ln a$

this must be sufficient.. pls post what you have done.. Ü

3. ...I'm so confused.

4. aww..

i'll do the first step..
notice that inside the parenthesis is a ratio.. so you can use the second identity i've given you..

$\ln \left(\frac{5x^3}{y^5}\right) = \ln (5x^3) - \ln (y^5)$

can you do the rest? just give us what you already did..

5. I honestly have no idea, sorry. I'm drawing a blank. I'm under so much stress right now. x_x

6. aww.. first, be calm because stress will kill you..

i'll do this example completely.. try to study and try to answer the rest..

so, we are left with $\ln (5x^3) - \ln (y^5)$

$\underbrace{\ln 5x^3} - \ln y^5 = \underbrace{\ln 5 + \ln (x^3)} - \ln (y^5)$ i used the first identity i gave.. for the minuend.

then $\ln 5 + \ln (x^3) - \ln (y^5) = \ln 5 + 3 \ln x - 5 \ln y$ this time, i used the third identity..

8. i already give the complete solution until to the final answer.. try reading it along with other examples from your books or sources..

i think, it's late night there. have rested already?

9. Mankvill: let's have a crash course in logarithms.

$\ln{ab} = \ln{a} + \ln{b}$
If you got multiplication within the ln brackets, you can separate them like that.

Another example: $\ln{abc} = \ln{a} + \ln{b} + \ln{c}$

Another thing, you can also separate the ln if it had division within brackets:
$\ln{\frac{a}{b}} = \ln{a} - \ln{b}$

$\ln{\frac{a}{bc}} = \ln{a} - \ln{b} - \ln{c}$

Notice that when they're multiplied, they ln of each value inside is added. When they're divided, it becomes: ln of the numerator minus ln of the denominator.