Algebra II : Simplifying Logarithms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Simplifying Logarithms

If  and , what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding logarithms, you multiply the terms inside the log functions.  For this problem you would have:

At this point, you FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last) the terms to get:

You then collect the like terms together:

Remember, these terms were originally in a log function, so to get our answer we need to put them back in one:

Example Question #24 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

If  and , what is 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first thing we're going to do is to write the whole problem out so we know what we're dealing with:

The next thing is to move the  in front of the second term to the exponent of the term inside the log function:

Because we're subtracting the logs, we need to divide the terms inside of them:

Now we can cancel one of the  terms, leaving us with a final answer of:

Example Question #25 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

If , and , what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, we start with:

That doesn't specifically help us, but we can rewrite it in the form of:

From here, we can split it into two separate logarithms:

We know the values for these terms, so we can substitute them in and solve now:

Example Question #26 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

If  and , what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When you add logarithms of the same base, you multiply the terms inside the log functions.  With this problem, you would end up with:

To multiply these terms together, you multiply the constants out in front like normal, and you add the exponents:

Now we need to remember to put this term back in the logarithm to get our final answer:

Example Question #31 : Simplifying Logarithms

Condense the expression

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying logarithmic expressions it is important to recall the rules of logs.

When two logs of the same base are added together that is the same as multiplying the inside contents.

When two logs of the same base are being subtracted that is the same as dividing the inside contents.

When there is a coefficient on a log that is the same as raising the log to that power.

Applying the rule above to the particular expression in question results in the following.

Example Question #31 : Simplifying Logarithms

Combine the logarithms as a single log:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the log rules to simplify this expression.

Evaluate the first two terms.

Evaluate   and combine this into one log.

The answer is:  

Example Question #25 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

Simplify the logarithms:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Write the product property of logs.

Use this formula to simplify the expression.  Since the logs share the same base, we can multiply all the integers together to combine as a single log.

The answer is:  

Example Question #31 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

Simplify the log:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question will require the product and quotient properties.

Product:  

Quotient:  

Evaluate the first two terms according to the formula.

Add using the product property: 

The answer is:  

Example Question #31 : Adding And Subtracting Logarithms

Combine all logs into a single log:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Evaluate the first term.  It can be rewritten by moving the coefficient as a power of the integer inside the log.

According to the product property of logs, when logs are added, the values inside the log can be multiplied together so that the log can be combined as one unit.

Subtract this log with .

According to the division property of logs, when two log values are subtracted, we can combine the logs and divide the numbers.

The answer is:  

Example Question #3013 : Algebra Ii

Add the following logs:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The log has a default base of 10.  Recall that if:

Evaluate each term.

 since .

 since .

Add the terms to simplify.

The answer is:  

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