document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=229449>Question 229449</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can you solve ln(x-4) + ln(x+1) = ln (x-8) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #170109 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=170109\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> solve ln(x-4) + ln(x+1) = ln (x-8)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "ln[(x-4)(x+1)] = ln(x-8)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-3x-4 = x-8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-4x+4 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x-2)^2 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "But x cannot be 2 for ln(x-4) would be the natural log of a negative,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "which does not exist.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Conclusion: No solution<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );