SOLUTION: Is there a difference between log -m+2=4 and log(-m+2)=4 I think there is - I got m = -9998 for the (-m+2) problem but I think the first problem is no solution since the argueme

Algebra ->  Logarithm Solvers, Trainers and Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Is there a difference between log -m+2=4 and log(-m+2)=4 I think there is - I got m = -9998 for the (-m+2) problem but I think the first problem is no solution since the argueme      Log On


   

Question 1061937: Is there a difference between log -m+2=4 and log(-m+2)=4 I think there is -
I got m = -9998 for the (-m+2) problem but I think the first problem is no solution since the arguement m is negative... I did log -m = 2 (I subtracted 2 from both sides to isolate the log) is this correct?

Thanks for your help.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39625) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The difference is that log -m+2=4 does not mean anything, but that log(-m+2)=4 ALMOST means something. You need to already know, or be able to indicate, the base for the logarithm.

Letting b be the base then the second thing you wrote should look like log%28b%2C%28-m%2B2%29%29=4. This now means something. Logarithm of -m%2B2 is 4; or arranged in exponential form, knowing the still variable base of b, b%5E4=-m%2B2.