How do I condense the expression 3/2ln5t^6-3/4lnt^4?

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In summary, the conversation is about condensing an expression involving logarithms. The correct rule for subtracting logarithms is stated and the conversation continues with discussing the simplification of the expression. Eventually, the final simplified expression is found to be ln(5^(3/2)t^6).
  • #1
ohchelsea
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i have to condense this expression:

3/2ln5t^6-3/4lnt^4

i may have done this in the wrong order but so far I've gotten to this point:
(3/2ln5t^6)/(3/4lnt^4)am i doing this right? is that all i have to do?
 
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  • #2
Remember the rule: logxa=alogx
 
  • #3
so what do i do about those fractions and the exponents that are already there?
 
  • #4
Well, start from the top again, [since you use the incorrect division of logs rule; the correct one is that loga-logb=log(a/b)].

Firstly, tidy up the expression and remove the exponents, so, what would [tex]\frac{3}{2}\ln 5t^6[/tex] simplify to, using the rule I gave in post 2? Similarly, what would the second term become?

Then use the division property I give above to combine the two into one logarithm.
 
  • #5
ohchelsea said:
i have to condense this expression:

3/2ln5t^6-3/4lnt^4

i may have done this in the wrong order but so far I've gotten to this point:
(3/2ln5t^6)/(3/4lnt^4)


am i doing this right? is that all i have to do?

What exactly do you mean by "condensing" the expression? Writing it as a single expression. Your basic idea is right but you are misremembering a "law of logarithms".
ln a- ln b= ln (a/b), NOT "ln(a)/ln(b)". Also, as cristo pointed out, you need to handle those coefficients, (3/2) and (3/4).
[tex]\frac{3}{2}ln(5t^6)= ln((5t^6)^{3/2}[/tex]
 
  • #6
okay so i got this:

(ln5t^9)/(lnt^3)

i still don't feel like i did that right =/
 
  • #7
Sorry, I read that as ln(5t)^6 and then used horrible notation in my post!

ohchelsea said:
okay so i got this:

(ln5t^9)/(lnt^3)

i still don't feel like i did that right =/

You're still using the law of subtraction of logs incorrectly! Also, looking at Halls' post, note that your first term should be [tex]\ln(5^{3/2}t^9)[/tex]. Then look again at the rule loga-logb=log(a/b)
 
  • #8
okay i see how i was doing it wrong now...sorry had a dumb moment.

so then would i get
ln(5^3/2*t^9)/t^3) ?
 
  • #9
Ok, can this be simplified?

[Hint: [tex]\frac{x^a}{x^b}=x^{a-b}[/tex] ]
 
  • #10
ln(5^3/2)t^6 ?
 
  • #11
Yea, it's all in the argument of the log function though: [tex]\ln(5^{3/2}t^6)[/tex]
 
  • #12
yay! thank you so much!
 

FAQ: How do I condense the expression 3/2ln5t^6-3/4lnt^4?

What does it mean to "condense" an expression?

Condensing an expression means to simplify or reduce it to its most basic form. This often involves combining like terms or using algebraic properties to rewrite the expression in a more concise way.

How do I know when an expression can be condensed?

An expression can usually be condensed if it contains terms that are similar or can be combined using algebraic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. It is important to follow the order of operations when condensing an expression.

Can any expression be condensed?

Not all expressions can be condensed. If an expression contains terms that are not similar or cannot be combined using algebraic operations, then it cannot be condensed. In some cases, an expression may already be in its simplest form and cannot be further condensed.

What are some common techniques for condensing expressions?

Some common techniques for condensing expressions include combining like terms, factoring, using the distributive property, and simplifying fractions. It is also helpful to have a good understanding of algebraic properties and the order of operations.

Why is it important to be able to condense expressions?

Condensing an expression can make it easier to understand and work with. It can also help to identify patterns and relationships between different expressions. In some cases, condensing an expression can also lead to finding a solution or solving a problem more efficiently.

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