Take logs of both sides: ln(2x3x-1)=ln(5x-1) ln is the natural, or Napierian logarithm.
Using a property of logarithms (see the Formulary on this site) we can write ln(2x)+ln(3x-1) = ln(5x-1)
Using another property of logarithms (again, see the Formulary) this becomes x*ln(2) + (x-1)*ln(3) = (x-1)*ln(5)
Expand the bracketed terms and collect: x*(ln(5) - ln(2) - ln(3)) = ln(5) - ln(3) or x*ln(5/6) = ln(5/3) so x = ln(5/3)/ln(5/6)
$${\mathtt{x}} = {\frac{{ln}{\left({\frac{{\mathtt{5}}}{{\mathtt{3}}}}\right)}}{{ln}{\left({\frac{{\mathtt{5}}}{{\mathtt{6}}}}\right)}}} = {\mathtt{x}} = -{\mathtt{2.801\: \!784\: \!016\: \!923\: \!930\: \!8}}$$
Take logs of both sides: ln(2x3x-1)=ln(5x-1) ln is the natural, or Napierian logarithm.
Using a property of logarithms (see the Formulary on this site) we can write ln(2x)+ln(3x-1) = ln(5x-1)
Using another property of logarithms (again, see the Formulary) this becomes x*ln(2) + (x-1)*ln(3) = (x-1)*ln(5)
Expand the bracketed terms and collect: x*(ln(5) - ln(2) - ln(3)) = ln(5) - ln(3) or x*ln(5/6) = ln(5/3) so x = ln(5/3)/ln(5/6)
$${\mathtt{x}} = {\frac{{ln}{\left({\frac{{\mathtt{5}}}{{\mathtt{3}}}}\right)}}{{ln}{\left({\frac{{\mathtt{5}}}{{\mathtt{6}}}}\right)}}} = {\mathtt{x}} = -{\mathtt{2.801\: \!784\: \!016\: \!923\: \!930\: \!8}}$$
Thanks Alan
I just thought that i would point out that this does not have to be base e. It can be base 10 or base whatever you want. Calculators only deal with base e and base 10 so you had best use one of those. ![]()
Sacha, if you have any problem understanding what Alan has done make sure your ask for clarification. We all love to get polite feedback. (positive, negative or queries)