Did I solve this equation 4*ln(3x)=15 or is it incomplete?

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In summary, @OmCheeto found an error in his equations and @SammyS found a different way to approach the problem.
  • #1
Witcher
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3
Homework Statement
I have this problem that seems to be too easy to be true. I don’t know if i am done and would like to move on to the next problem.
Relevant Equations
4Ln3x=15
I stopped where it says e^15=3x^4 it seems complete but i am not sure.
 

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  • #2
Witcher said:
Homework Statement:: I have this problem that seems to be too easy to be true. I don’t know if i am done and would like to move on to the next problem.
Homework Equations:: 4Ln3x=15

I stopped where it says e^15=3x^4 it seems complete but i am not sure.
Seems like an odd place to stop. Aren't you trying to solve for x?
 
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  • #3
Witcher said:
Homework Statement:: I have this problem that seems to be too easy to be true. I don’t know if i am done and would like to move on to the next problem.
Homework Equations:: 4Ln3x=15

I stopped where it says e^15=3x^4 it seems complete but i am not sure.
1576248898685.png
In addition to what @OmCheeto said, you have made an error in applying the rule:

##m \cdot \ln(A) =\ln(A^m)##​

Rather than ## \ln(3x^4) ##, you should have ## \ln((3x)^4) ##.
 
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  • #4
OmCheeto said:
Seems like an odd place to stop. Aren't you trying to solve for x?
Yea just solving for x but it’s X^4. I may have a few more things in mind that may work.
 
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  • #5
As already noted, your second line is wrong. Instead of ##\ln 3x^4 = 15##, you should have what @SammyS wrote in his post.

A different approach would be to divide both sides by 4 as your first step, to get ##\ln (3x) = \frac {15} 4##. From there it's only two steps to get the solution.
 
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  • #6
Are you not clear on what "solve an equation" means?

To solve an equation in x means to find the value or values of x that satisfy the equation. No, writing [itex]3x^4= e^{15}[/itex] has NOT solved the equation (and what you have done is incorrect). You must have an equation of the form "x= something".

Starting from [itex]4ln(3x)= 15[/itex], divide both sides by 4 to get ##\ln(3x)= \frac{15}{4}##. Then take take the exponential of both sides ##3x= e^{\frac{15}{4}}##. Last, divide both sides by 3: ##x= \frac{1}{3}e^{\frac{15}{4}}##.

Another way to approach this problem, and more like what you probably did, is, instead of dividing both sides of the equation, take the "4" inside the logarithm: [tex]ln((3x)^4)= 15[/tex]. Notice that it is both "3" and "x" that are to the 4th power. This is NOT "[itex]3x^4[/itex]" it is [itex](3x)^4= 81x^4[/itex]. So [itex]ln(81x^4)= 15[/itex] and taking the exponential of both sides [itex]81x^4= e^{15}[/itex]. [itex]x^4= \frac{e^{15}}{81}[/itex] and then take the fourth root of both sides: [itex]x= \frac{(e^{15})^{1/4}}{\sqrt[4]{81}}= \frac{e^{15/4}}{3}[/itex] as before.
 
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  • #7
My crude but practical steps are show here but in pure text.

ln(3x)=15/4

e^(15/4)=3x

x=(e^(15/4))/3
 
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  • #8
With the approaches above, you are sure covered. Maths& science is fun.
 

FAQ: Did I solve this equation 4*ln(3x)=15 or is it incomplete?

Is there a way to check if I solved the equation correctly?

Yes, you can plug in the value you got for x back into the original equation and see if it satisfies the equation. If it does, then you have solved the equation correctly.

How do I know if the equation is incomplete?

If there are variables on both sides of the equation, or if there are multiple variables in the equation, it may be incomplete. Additionally, if there is no equal sign or if the equation seems to be missing information, it may also be incomplete.

Can I solve this equation without using logarithms?

It depends on the specific equation. In some cases, you may be able to solve the equation using other mathematical operations or techniques. However, for this particular equation, solving for x will require the use of logarithms.

What does the natural logarithm (ln) mean?

The natural logarithm (ln) is a mathematical function that is the inverse of the exponential function. It is used to find the power that a base number (in this case, 3) needs to be raised to in order to get a certain value (in this case, 3x).

Is there a specific order I need to follow when solving this equation?

Yes, when solving equations, it is important to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction). Additionally, in this case, you will need to use the inverse of the logarithm function (exponentiation) to isolate x on one side of the equation.

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