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When I solved this equation I got x=0.5

However when I plugged it back into the original equation I got x=1

What does this mean?

When I solved this equation I got x=0.5 However when I plugged it back into the original-example-1

1 Answer

3 votes

You might have made an error the first time you solved for x. I got x = -0.5.

When you have your log base 4, the way you cancel that out is by making 4 the base on both sides, so you get 4^(log4) to reduce to 1, and you're left with:

2x + 3 = 4^(1/2) ... Simplify

2x + 3 = 2

2x = -1

x = -1/2

If you plug that back in, everything checks out. Maybe double check your use of logarithm/exponent properties?

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