document.write( "Question 290802: what is x
\n" ); document.write( "log (x-3) - log 2= log(x+1) what are the steps to solve?
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #210446 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
log (x-3) - log 2 = log(x+1)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Add log(2) to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "log(x-3) = log(x+1) + log(2)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Subtract log(x+1) from both sides
\n" ); document.write( "log(x-3) - log(x+1) = log(2)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Subtracting logs is the same as divide, therefore we can write it:
\n" ); document.write( "\"log%28%28%28x-3%29%2F%28x%2B1%29%29%29\" = log(2)
\n" ); document.write( "the logs are equal, therefore
\n" ); document.write( "\"%28%28x-3%29%2F%28x%2B1%29%29\" = 2
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply both sides by (x+1)
\n" ); document.write( "(x - 3) = 2(x+1)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "x - 3 = 2x + 2
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "-3 -2 = 2x - x
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "-5 = x
\n" ); document.write( ";
\n" ); document.write( "However, a solution that results in the log of a negative number is not valid.
\n" ); document.write( "So we have to say no solution
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );