SOLUTION: Hello, Problem: log16^1/2. I tried solving and I got 4. What I'm not sure of is if its negative 4 or positive? I might be completly off, but learning what i have about logari

Question 242934: Hello,
Problem: log16^1/2.
I tried solving and I got 4.
What I'm not sure of is if its negative 4 or positive?
I might be completly off, but learning what i have about logarithms I think I might be on the right track.
Please let me know if its negative or positive, and my answer 4 is right.
Thanks
Found 3 solutions by jim_thompson5910, Alan3354, JimboP1977:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start with the given expression.

Use the change of base formula.

Rewrite as

Rewrite as

Pull down the exponents using the identity

Cancel out the common terms.

Simplify

So
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Problem: log16^1/2.
I tried solving and I got 4.
What I'm not sure of is if its negative 4 or positive?
I might be completly off, but learning what i have about logarithms I think I might be on the right track.
Please let me know if its negative or positive, and my answer 4 is right.
-------------
Check your answer.
Does ?
No, 16^4 = 65536
------------
Does ?
No, that's 1/65536.
---------------------

so

Answer by JimboP1977(311)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well you are on the right track. You cannot really solve it unless you know the base of the log. Assuming the base is say 10 you could solve this problem.
16^(1/2) is the same as saying the square root of 16 which is 4 OR -4. However log bases are always positive so you cannot take the log of -4. So it has to be the log of 4.
If the base is say 10 we are saying what power to base 10 gives 4. The answer is 0.602.
10^0.602 gives 4
Does this help at all?
RELATED QUESTIONS
Hello, I need help to make sure that I found out what went wrong with my math problem. (answered by jim_thompson5910,stanbon)
Hello, I am trying to solve a algebra math problem but not sure what the next step to... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
could you please help me solve this equation |x+1| >(or equal) 4 I tried using... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)
Hello, please help me solve this problem. A committee of 4 people is to be form from 6... (answered by stanbon)
hello, i am working on this math problem and i am not sure if i am solving it the right... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
I need help solving (5/y)-(2/3)=(-1/4) This is a homework problem and not out of a book. (answered by nerdybill)
3+4[[1/2]-[3/4]] thank you!! will give beautiful review soooo confusing i tried (answered by jim_thompson5910)
Hello, I am not really sure where to put this question...what topic it would fall... (answered by nerdybill,edjones)
state the possible numbers of positive real zeros, negative real zeros, amd imaginary... (answered by josgarithmetic)