Question

Which are possible first steps in solving the equation 4^x+3 = 18?

Answer 1

Option 3: take base-4 log each side

In case of multiple answers:

Options 3,4 & 5

Explanation:

4^(x+3) = 18

Apply log4 both sides to being the power down

You can take log with any other base too.

In case of multiple answers, options 4 and 5 are also valid

Answer 2

Take the log of each side, any base will work

so log4, loge or log10

Explanation:

4^ (x+3) = 18

Take the log of each side

loga (4^ (x+3)) = loga 18

We can the take the exponents outside of the log

(x+3) loga 4 = loga 18

Divide each side by loga 4

(x+3) = loga 18 /loga 4

Subtract 3 from each side

x = loga 18 /loga 4 -3