Solved on Jan 13, 2024

Evaluate the logarithmic expressions: (a) log5125\log_{5} \frac{1}{25} (b) log232\log_{2} 32

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. We are evaluating logarithmic expressions.
2. The base of the logarithm in expression (a) is 5.
3. The argument of the logarithm in expression (a) is 125\frac{1}{25}.
4. The base of the logarithm in expression (b) is 2.
5. The argument of the logarithm in expression (b) is 32.

STEP 2

To evaluate the logarithm in expression (a), log5125\log _{5} \frac{1}{25}, we need to find the exponent to which the base 5 must be raised to obtain the argument 125\frac{1}{25}.

STEP 3

Recall the property of logarithms that states logbbx=x\log_b b^x = x. We need to express the argument 125\frac{1}{25} as a power of 5.

STEP 4

Recognize that 2525 is a power of 55, specifically 525^2. Therefore, 125\frac{1}{25} can be written as 525^{-2}.

STEP 5

Now we can write the logarithm with the argument as a power of the base:
log5125=log552\log _{5} \frac{1}{25} = \log _{5} 5^{-2}

STEP 6

Using the property of logarithms from STEP_3, we find that:
log552=2\log _{5} 5^{-2} = -2
Thus, log5125=2\log _{5} \frac{1}{25} = -2.

STEP 7

Next, we evaluate the logarithm in expression (b), log232\log _{2} 32. We need to find the exponent to which the base 2 must be raised to obtain the argument 32.

STEP 8

Recognize that 3232 is a power of 22, specifically 252^5.

STEP 9

Now we can write the logarithm with the argument as a power of the base:
log232=log225\log _{2} 32 = \log _{2} 2^5

STEP 10

Using the property of logarithms from STEP_3, we find that:
log225=5\log _{2} 2^5 = 5
Thus, log232=5\log _{2} 32 = 5.
The solutions are: (a) log5125=2\log _{5} \frac{1}{25} = -2 (b) log232=5\log _{2} 32 = 5

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