How do you solve lnx+ln(x-1)=1?

1 Answer

x=(1+sqrt(4e+1))/2

Explanation:

Using the rules of logarithms,

ln(x)+ln(x-1)=ln(x*(x-1))=ln(x^2-x).

Therefore,

ln(x^2-x)=1.

Then, we exponentiate both sides (put both sides to the e power):

e^(ln(x^2-x))=e^1.

Simplify, remembering that exponents undo logarithms:

x^2-x=e.

Now, we complete the square:

x^2-x+1/4=e+1/4

Simplify:

(x-1/2)^2 = e+1/4 = (4e+1)/4

Take the square root of both sides:

x-1/2=(pmsqrt(4e+1))/2

Add 1/2 to both sides:

x=(1±sqrt(4e+1))/2

Eliminate the negative answer (in log_"a"b, b>0):

=> color(blue)(x=(1+sqrt(4e+1))/2)