Question

Review Mara's work in steps 3 and 4. (Hint: There is one mistake in those steps.)

Answer 1

a) Step 3 is correct. You can apply the log to both sides, as long as the log base is the same.

b) Step 4 is incorrect. The expression $\log_3(27)$ should simplify to 3, and not 9. This is because 3^3 = 27. Recall that $b^x = y$ is equivalent to $\log_{b}(y) = x$. Based on that, we can say $3^3 = 27$ is equivalent to $\log_3(27) = 3$

So the final answer should be x = 3

If we check this with the original equation, then we have

7*3^x = 189

7*3^3 = 189

7*27 = 189

189 = 189

So the answer is confirmed.