# logarithms/calculator/solving

• November 18th 2007, 01:24 PM
crazydaizy78
logarithms/calculator/solving
Can't I solve these using my calculator?
If not, can you help me get started? I'm drawing a total blank. Thanks!! :eek:

4^x=1/256

and

10^log(3x)=4
• November 18th 2007, 02:28 PM
topsquark
Quote:

Originally Posted by crazydaizy78
Can't I solve these using my calculator?
If not, can you help me get started? I'm drawing a total blank. Thanks!! :eek:

4^x=1/256

$4^x = \frac{1}{256}$

It helps if you know that $256 = 4^4$. Then
$4^x = \frac{1}{4^4} = 4^{-4}$

so x = -4.

To do this if you don't know that little fact:
$4^x = \frac{1}{256}$

$log_4(4^x) = log_4 \left ( \frac{1}{256} \right )$ <-- If you use $log_{10}$ or ln here then you don't have to use the change of base formula a little further on.

$x = log_4(1) - log_4(256)$

$x = -log_4(256)$

Now let's say you still haven't seen that $256 = 4^4$. Use the change of base formula to change the base to e (or 10 if you desire):
$log_a(b) = \frac{ln(a)}{ln(b)}$

So we have:
$x = -\frac{ln(256)}{ln(4)}$
which you can plug into your calculator and get that x = -4.

-Dan
• November 18th 2007, 02:30 PM
topsquark
Quote:

Originally Posted by crazydaizy78
10^log(3x)=4

The ^ and log operators are inverses of each other, so in general
$a^{log_a(b)} = b = log_a(a^b)$

thus, taking "log" to be log base 10:
$10^{log(3x)} = 4$

$3x = 4$
which I'm sure you can solve from here.

-Dan