{"id":1165,"date":"2025-07-23T17:05:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T17:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/precalculus\/?post_type=chapter&p=1165"},"modified":"2026-03-18T19:37:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:37:00","slug":"exponential-and-logarithmic-models-learn-it-4","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/precalculus\/chapter\/exponential-and-logarithmic-models-learn-it-4\/","title":{"raw":"Exponential and Logarithmic Equations: Learn It 4","rendered":"Exponential and Logarithmic Equations: Learn It 4"},"content":{"raw":"

Using the One-to-One Property of Logarithms to Solve Logarithmic Equations<\/h2>\r\nAs with exponential equations, we can use the one-to-one property to solve logarithmic equations. The one-to-one property of logarithmic functions tells us that, for any real numbers [latex]x\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]S\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]T\u00a0> 0[\/latex] and any positive real number [latex]b[\/latex], where [latex]b\\ne 1[\/latex],\r\n

[latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\\text{ if and only if }S=T[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For example,\r\n

[latex]\\text{If }{\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(x - 1\\right)={\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(8\\right),\\text{then }x - 1=8[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nSo if [latex]x - 1=8[\/latex], then we can solve for [latex]x[\/latex]and we get [latex]x\u00a0= 9[\/latex]. To check, we can substitute [latex]x\u00a0= 9[\/latex] into the original equation: [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(9 - 1\\right)={\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(8\\right)=3[\/latex].\r\n\r\n<\/section>In other words, when a logarithmic equation has the same base on each side, the arguments must be equal. This also applies when the arguments are algebraic expressions. Therefore, when given an equation with logs of the same base on each side, we can use rules of logarithms to rewrite each side as a single logarithm. Then we use the fact that logarithmic functions are one-to-one to set the arguments equal to one another and solve for the unknown.\r\n\r\n

For example, consider the equation [latex]\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)[\/latex]. To solve this equation, we can use the rules of logarithms to rewrite the left side as a single logarithm and then apply the one-to-one property to solve for [latex]x[\/latex]:\r\n

[latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\frac{3x - 2}{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)\\hfill & \\text{Apply the quotient rule of logarithms}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\frac{3x - 2}{2}=x+4\\hfill & \\text{Apply the one-to-one property}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}3x - 2=2x+8\\hfill & \\text{Multiply both sides of the equation by }2.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}x=10\\hfill & \\text{Subtract 2}x\\text{ and add 2}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nTo check the result, substitute [latex]x\u00a0= 10[\/latex] into [latex]\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)[\/latex].\r\n

[latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\mathrm{log}\\left(3\\left(10\\right)-2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\left(10\\right)+4\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(28\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(14\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\frac{28}{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(14\\right)\\hfill & \\text{The solution checks}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/section>

\r\n

one-to-one property of logarithmic functions<\/h3>\r\nFor any real numbers [latex]x\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]S\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]T\u00a0> 0[\/latex] and any positive real number [latex]b[\/latex], where [latex]b\\ne 1[\/latex],\r\n

[latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\\text{ if and only if }S=T[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nNote: When solving an equation involving logarithms, always check to see if the answer is correct or if it is an extraneous solution.\r\n\r\n<\/section>

How To: Given an equation containing logarithms, solve it using the one-to-one property<\/strong>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Use the rules of logarithms to combine like terms, if necessary, so that the resulting equation is of the form [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T[\/latex].<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Use the one-to-one property to set the arguments equal to each other.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Solve the resulting equation, [latex]S =\u00a0T[\/latex], for the unknown.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>
    Solve [latex]\\mathrm{ln}\\left({x}^{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{ln}\\left(2x+3\\right)[\/latex].[reveal-answer q=\"957758\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"957758\"]\r\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\text{ }\\mathrm{ln}\\left({x}^{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{ln}\\left(2x+3\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{ }{x}^{2}=2x+3\\hfill & \\text{Use the one-to-one property of the logarithm}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{ }{x}^{2}-2x - 3=0\\hfill & \\text{Get zero on one side before factoring}.\\hfill \\\\ \\left(x - 3\\right)\\left(x+1\\right)=0\\hfill & \\text{Factor using FOIL}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{ }x - 3=0\\text{ or }x+1=0\\hfill & \\text{If a product is zero, one of the factors must be zero}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{ }x=3\\text{ or }x=-1\\hfill & \\text{Solve for }x.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nAnalysis of the Solution<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThere are two solutions: [latex]x\u00a0= 3[\/latex] or [latex]x\u00a0= \u20131[\/latex]. The solution [latex]x\u00a0= \u20131[\/latex] is negative, but it checks when substituted into the original equation because the argument of the logarithm function is still positive.\r\n\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/section>

    Solve [latex]\\log_{3}(z) + \\log_{3}(z+4) = \\log_{3}(6)[\/latex].[reveal-answer q=\"44164\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"44164\"]\r\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l} \\log_{3}(z) + \\log_{3}(z+4) = \\log_{3}(6) \\\\ \\log_{3}(z(z+4)) = \\log_{3}(6) & \\text{Use the product rule of logarithms.} \\\\ z(z+4) = 6 & \\text{Since the bases are the same, the arguments must be equal.} \\\\ z^2 + 4z = 6 & \\text{Expand and simplify the equation.} \\\\ z^2 + 4z - 6 = 0 & \\text{Subtract 6 from both sides.} \\\\ \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l} \\text{Solve the quadratic equation using the quadratic formula:} \\\\ z = \\frac{-b \\pm \\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}, \\text{ where } a = 1, b = 4, c = -6. \\\\ z = \\frac{-4 \\pm \\sqrt{4^2 - 4(1)(-6)}}{2(1)} \\\\ z = \\frac{-4 \\pm \\sqrt{16 + 24}}{2} \\\\ z = \\frac{-4 \\pm \\sqrt{40}}{2} \\\\ z = \\frac{-4 \\pm 2\\sqrt{10}}{2} \\\\ z = -2 \\pm \\sqrt{10} \\\\ \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l} \\text{So, the solutions are:} \\\\ z = -2 + \\sqrt{10} \\approx -2 + 3.16 \\approx 1.16 \\\\ z = -2 - \\sqrt{10} \\approx -2 - 3.16 \\approx -5.16 \\\\ \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l} \\text{Check the solutions:} \\\\ \\text{For } z \\approx 1.16: \\\\ \\log_{3}(1.16) + \\log_{3}(1.16 + 4) \\\\ \\log_{3}(1.16) + \\log_{3}(5.16) \\\\ \\log_{3}(1.16 \\cdot 5.16) = \\log_{3}(6) & \\text{True since both sides are equal.} \\\\ \\text{For } z \\approx -5.16: \\\\ \\log_{3}(-5.16) + \\log_{3}(-5.16 + 4) \\\\ \\log_{3}(-5.16) + \\log_{3}(-1.16) & \\text{Undefined since the logarithm of a negative number is not defined.} \\\\ \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nThus, the solution is [latex]z = -2 + \\sqrt{10} \\approx -2 + 3.16 \\approx 1.16[\/latex].[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/section>

    [ohm_question hide_question_numbers=1]321542[\/ohm_question]<\/section>
    [ohm_question hide_question_numbers=1]321543[\/ohm_question]<\/section>","rendered":"

    Using the One-to-One Property of Logarithms to Solve Logarithmic Equations<\/h2>\n

    As with exponential equations, we can use the one-to-one property to solve logarithmic equations. The one-to-one property of logarithmic functions tells us that, for any real numbers [latex]x\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]S\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]T\u00a0> 0[\/latex] and any positive real number [latex]b[\/latex], where [latex]b\\ne 1[\/latex],<\/p>\n

    [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\\text{ if and only if }S=T[\/latex]<\/p>\n

    For example,<\/p>\n

    [latex]\\text{If }{\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(x - 1\\right)={\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(8\\right),\\text{then }x - 1=8[\/latex]<\/p>\n

    So if [latex]x - 1=8[\/latex], then we can solve for [latex]x[\/latex]and we get [latex]x\u00a0= 9[\/latex]. To check, we can substitute [latex]x\u00a0= 9[\/latex] into the original equation: [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(9 - 1\\right)={\\mathrm{log}}_{2}\\left(8\\right)=3[\/latex].<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

    In other words, when a logarithmic equation has the same base on each side, the arguments must be equal. This also applies when the arguments are algebraic expressions. Therefore, when given an equation with logs of the same base on each side, we can use rules of logarithms to rewrite each side as a single logarithm. Then we use the fact that logarithmic functions are one-to-one to set the arguments equal to one another and solve for the unknown.<\/p>\n

    For example, consider the equation [latex]\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)[\/latex]. To solve this equation, we can use the rules of logarithms to rewrite the left side as a single logarithm and then apply the one-to-one property to solve for [latex]x[\/latex]:<\/p>\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\frac{3x - 2}{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)\\hfill & \\text{Apply the quotient rule of logarithms}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\frac{3x - 2}{2}=x+4\\hfill & \\text{Apply the one-to-one property}.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}3x - 2=2x+8\\hfill & \\text{Multiply both sides of the equation by }2.\\hfill \\\\ \\text{}x=10\\hfill & \\text{Subtract 2}x\\text{ and add 2}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n

    To check the result, substitute [latex]x\u00a0= 10[\/latex] into [latex]\\mathrm{log}\\left(3x - 2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(x+4\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\n

    [latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\mathrm{log}\\left(3\\left(10\\right)-2\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\left(10\\right)+4\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(28\\right)-\\mathrm{log}\\left(2\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(14\\right)\\hfill & \\hfill \\\\ \\text{}\\mathrm{log}\\left(\\frac{28}{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{log}\\left(14\\right)\\hfill & \\text{The solution checks}.\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

    \n

    one-to-one property of logarithmic functions<\/h3>\n

    For any real numbers [latex]x\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]S\u00a0> 0[\/latex], [latex]T\u00a0> 0[\/latex] and any positive real number [latex]b[\/latex], where [latex]b\\ne 1[\/latex],<\/p>\n

    [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\\text{ if and only if }S=T[\/latex]<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Note: When solving an equation involving logarithms, always check to see if the answer is correct or if it is an extraneous solution.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

    How To: Given an equation containing logarithms, solve it using the one-to-one property<\/strong><\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Use the rules of logarithms to combine like terms, if necessary, so that the resulting equation is of the form [latex]{\\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\\mathrm{log}}_{b}T[\/latex].<\/li>\n
    2. Use the one-to-one property to set the arguments equal to each other.<\/li>\n
    3. Solve the resulting equation, [latex]S =\u00a0T[\/latex], for the unknown.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n
      Solve [latex]\\mathrm{ln}\\left({x}^{2}\\right)=\\mathrm{ln}\\left(2x+3\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\n