Category: Algebra 2/Trig

Algebra 2: How to Solve Log Equations

Welcome to Mathsux! Today, we’re going to go over how to solve logarithmic equations, yay! But before we get into finding x, though, we need to go over what logarithms are and why we use them in the first place…..just in case you were curious!

Also, if you have any questions about anything here, don’t hesitate to comment below or shoot me an email.  Happy calculating! 🙂

Logarithms are the inverses of exponential functions.  This means that when graphed, they are symmetrical along the line y=x.  Check it out below!

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When on the same set of axis, notice how the functions are symmetrical over the line y=x:

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We use logarithms to find the unknown values of exponents, such as the x value in the equation, Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 9.30.55 PM.png.  This is a simple example, where we know the value of x is equal to 2,(Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 9.32.30 PM.png). But what if it were to get more complicated?  That’s where logs come in!

Logarithms follow a swooping pattern that allows us to write it in exponential form, let’s take a look at some Examples below:Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 9.34.16 PM.pngBut wait there’s more! Logs have a certain set of Rules that makes working with them easier! Check it out below:

Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 9.35.10 PMWe can use these rules to help us algebraically solve logarithmic equations, let’s look at an example that applies the Product Rule.

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Try the following practice questions on your own!

Practice Questions:

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Solutions:

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Still got questions?  No problem! Check out the video that goes over the same example outlined above.  And for more info. on logarithms check out this post that goes over a NYS Regent’s question here.  Happy calculating! 🙂

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****Check out this Bonus Video on How to Change Log Bases****

 

 

Algebra: 4 Ways to Factor Quadratic Equations

*If you haven’t done so, check out the video that goes over this exact problem, and don’t forget to subscribe!

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Screen Shot 2020-06-02 at 3.07.42 PMChoose the factoring method that works best for you and try the practice problems on your own below!

Practice Questions:

Screen Shot 2020-06-02 at 3.09.58 PMSolutions:

Screen Shot 2020-06-02 at 3.10.30 PM

Want a review of all the different factoring methods out there?  Check out the ones left out here (DOTS and GCF) and happy calculating! 🙂

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Algebra 2: Solving Radical Equations

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Today we’re back with Algebra 2, this time solving for radical equations!  Did you say “Radical Equations?” As in wild and crazy equations? No, not exactly, radicals in math are used to take the square root, cubed root, or whatever root of a number.

Radicals are actually pretty cool because we can write them a couple of different ways and they all mean the same thing! Check it out below:Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.23.20 AM.pngStill not sure of their coolness? Let’s see what they look like with actual numbers:
Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.24.21 AM.pngExample: Solve the following algebraic equation below for the missing variable (aka, solve for x).Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.25.03 AM.pngExplanation:

How do I answer this question?   

The question wants us to solve for x using our knowledge of radicals and algebra. You can also check out how to solve this question on Youtube here!

How do we do this? 

Step 1: We start solving this radical equation like any other algebraic problem: by getting x alone. We can do this easily by subtracting 7 and then dividing out 5.Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.26.21 AM.pngStep 2: Now, to get rid of that pesky radical, we need to square the entire radical.  Remember, whatever we do to one side of the equation, we must also do to the other side of the equation, therefore, we also square 14 on the other side of the equal sign. 

*This gets rid of our radical and allows us to solve for x algebraically as normal!Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.29.11 AM.pngScreen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.29.34 AM.pngWhat happens when there is a cubed root though!?!? When dividing polynomials with different value roots, raise the entire radical to that same power of root to cancel it out:Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.30.21 AM.pngRemember, we know radicals can also be written as fractions: Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.31.01 AM.pngTherefore we also know that if we raise the entire radical expression to the same power of the root, the two exponents will cancel each other out:Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.31.47 AM.pngWant more practice? Try solving these next few examples on your own. Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.32.39 AM.pngWhen you’re ready, check out the below:Screen Shot 2020-05-12 at 11.33.12 AM.png

Did I miss anything?  Don’t let any questions go unchecked and let me know in the comments! Happy calculating! 🙂 

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Algebra 2: Dividing Polynomials

Screen Shot 2020-05-03 at 11.43.01 AMNow that everyone is home, there is no better time to go over dividing polynomials! Whether school is out or not, dividing polynomials will always come in handy… I think.

Either way at some point, you may need to know how to answer these types of questions. The cool thing about dividing polynomials is that it’s the same long division you did way back in grade school (except now with a lot of x). Ok, let’s get to it and check out the question below:

Also, if you haven’t done so, check out the video related that corresponds to this problem on Youtube! 🙂

Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.21.17 PMExplanation:

How do I answer this question?

The question wants us to divide polynomials by using long division.

How do we do this?     

Step 1: First we set up a good ole’ division problem with the divisor, dividend, and quotient to solve.Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.43.48 PM.pngStep 2: Now we use long division like we used to back in the day! If you have any confusion about this please check out the video in this post.Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.22.52 PMScreen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.23.27 PM.pngWhat happens when there is a remainder though!?!? When dividing polynomials with a remainder in the quotient, the answer is found and checked in a very similar way! Check it out below:
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Notice we represented the remainder by adding Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.35.06 PM to our quotient! We just put the remainder over the divisor to represent this extra bit of solution.

Want more practice? Try solving these next few examples on your own. Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.45.10 PM.pngWhen you’re ready, check out the solutions below:Screen Shot 2020-05-04 at 10.45.37 PMI hope everyone is finding something fun to do with all this extra time home! That can include everything from baking a cake to studying more math of course, happy calculating! 🙂 

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Algebra 2: Binomial Cubic Expansion

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Extra Tip! Notice that we used something called FOIL to combine (a+b)(a+b).  But what does that even mean? FOIL is an acronym for multiplying the two terms together.  It’s a way to remember to distribute each term to one another.  Take a look below:

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Add and combine all like terms together and we get Screen Shot 2019-05-24 at 9.04.45 AM.png!

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Still got questions?  Let me know in the comments and as always happy calculating!:)

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Algebra 2/Trig: Solving Trigonometric Equations

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Does this make sense? Great! 🙂 Is it clear as mud? I have failed. But I have not given up (and neither should you). Ask more questions, look for the spots where you got lost, do more research and never give up! 🙂

Hopefully you enjoyed my short motivational speech. For more encouraging words and math, check out the social stuffs:

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