SOLUTION: Can anybody solve log2 x + log2(x − 2) = 3 those are log base 2 I tried following instructions and end up with {{{x^2-2x-9}}} because they say I'm supposed to square the

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: Can anybody solve log2 x + log2(x − 2) = 3 those are log base 2 I tried following instructions and end up with {{{x^2-2x-9}}} because they say I'm supposed to square the       Log On


   



Question 806279: Can anybody solve log2 x + log2(x − 2) = 3 those are log base 2
I tried following instructions and end up with x%5E2-2x-9 because they say I'm supposed to square the 3, but I don't know if that's right

Found 3 solutions by solver91311, htmentor, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Whoever "they" are, stop listening to them. (Or learn to listen better, because if "they" actually knew what they were talking about they most certainly did NOT tell you to square the 3.)

The sum of the logs is the log of the product, so





But



Hence





Factor and solve. Exclude any negative root (the domain of log is the positive reals).

John

Egw to Beta kai to Sigma
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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Answer by htmentor(1343) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
log(x) + log(x-2) = 3
Using the product rule we can write the LHS as log of the two factors:
log(x(x-2)) = 3
To remove the logarithm, raise the terms on either side of the equation to the 2nd power:
2^log(x(x-2) = 2^3
x^2 - 2x = 8
x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0
Factor:
(x-4)(x+2) = 0
This gives two solutions, x=4 and x=-2
But since we can't take the logarithm of a negative number, the answer is x=4.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!














I'll let you finish up.