How do you solve #log(x) + log(x+3) = 1#?

1 Answer
Mar 3, 2018

The solution is #x=2#.

Explanation:

Use the log addition rule:

#log_color(green)a(color(red)x)+log_color(green)a(color(blue)y)=log_color(green)a(color(red)xcolor(blue)y)#

Now combine the two #log#s, then rewrite #1# as #log(10)#, then cancel the logs on either side:

#log(x)+log(x+3)=1#

#log(x*(x+3))=1#

#log(x^2+3x)=1#

#log(x^2+3x)=log(10)#

#color(red)cancel(color(black)log)(x^2+3x)=color(red)cancel(color(black)log)(10)#

#x^2+3x=10#

#x^2+3x-10=0#

#(x+5)(x-2)=0#

#x=2,-5#

Plug in the answers to the original equation and see if they still work:

#log(x)+log(x+3)=1#

Testing #2#:

#log(2)+log(2+3)=1#

#log(2)+log(5)=1#

#0.30102...+0.69898...=1#

#1=1qquadqquad color(lightgreen)sqrt#

The solution #2# works. Testing #-5#:

#log(-5)+log(-5+3)=1#

Since #log(-5)# is undefined, this solution doesn't work. Therefore, the only solution is #x=2#.