Evaluate log base x of 16=2

$\log_{x} (16) = 2$

Step 1

Rewrite $\log_{x} (16) = 2$ in exponential form using the definition of a logarithm. If $x$ and $b$ are positive real numbers and $b \neq 1$ , then $\log_{b} (x) = y$ is equivalent to $b^{y} = x$ .

$x^{2} = 16$

Step 2

Solve for $x$ .

Take the square root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x = \pm \sqrt{16}$

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{16}$ .

Rewrite $16$ as $4^{2}$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt{4^{2}}$

Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.

$x = \pm 4$

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x = 4$

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x = - 4$

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 4, - 4$

Step 3

Exclude the solutions that do not make $\log_{x} (16) = 2$ true.

$x = 4$

Evaluate log base x of 16=2

Related Questions

Support LCMGCF.com by disabling your adblocker.