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Evaluating 4log494^{\log_4 9} and log335\log_3 3^5 Using Inverse Properties

The inverse properties of logarithms allow for the direct evaluation of expressions where the exponential and logarithmic operations share the same base.

  • To evaluate 4log494^{\log_4 9}, apply the inverse property alogax=xa^{\log_a x} = x. Since the base of the exponential (4) matches the base of the logarithm (4), the expression simplifies directly to 9. Therefore, 4log49=94^{\log_4 9} = 9.
  • To evaluate log335\log_3 3^5, apply the inverse property logaax=x\log_a a^x = x. Since the base of the logarithm (3) matches the base of the exponential (3), the expression simplifies directly to the exponent 5. Therefore, log335=5\log_3 3^5 = 5.

These results illustrate that raising a base to a logarithmic power with the same base, or taking the logarithm of a base raised to a power, each 'undo' the other operation.

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Updated 2026-06-27

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Ch.10 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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