The value of $\left(\frac{1}{3}\log_{10} 125 - 2\log_{10} 4 + \log_{10} 32\right)$ is
Aptitude
Logarithm
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A0
-
B$\frac{4}{5}$
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C1
-
D2
Answer
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
This problem requires consolidating multiple logarithmic terms into a single logarithm using the power, product, and quotient rules.
The Power Rule:
$$ \log_a(x^n) = n \cdot \log_a(x) $$
The Product Rule:
$$ \log_a(xy) = \log_a(x) + \log_a(y) $$
The Quotient Rule:
$$ \log_a\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \log_a(x) - \log_a(y) $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
Let's simplify each term individually using the power rule to bring the coefficient into the exponent.
First term:
$\frac{1}{3}\log_{10}(125)$
Since $125 = 5^3$, we have:
$\frac{1}{3}\log_{10}(5^3) = \log_{10}((5^3)^{1/3}) = \log_{10}(5^1) = \log_{10}(5)$
Second term:
$2\log_{10}(4)$
Bring the $2$ up as a power:
$\log_{10}(4^2) = \log_{10}(16)$
Third term remains as is:
$\log_{10}(32)$
Now substitute these simplified terms back into the original expression:
$\log_{10}(5) - \log_{10}(16) + \log_{10}(32)$
Apply the product and quotient rules to combine them into a single log:
$\log_{10}\left(\frac{5 \times 32}{16}\right)$
Simplify the fraction:
$\frac{5 \times 32}{16} = 5 \times 2 = 10$
So the expression becomes:
$\log_{10}(10)$
Since $\log_a(a) = 1$, we get:
$\log_{10}(10) = 1$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Instead of combining into a single large number, convert everything to prime bases immediately.
$125 = 5^3$, $4 = 2^2$, $32 = 2^5$.
Expression = $(1/3) \cdot 3\log_{10}(5) - 2 \cdot 2\log_{10}(2) + 5\log_{10}(2)$
$= \log_{10}(5) - 4\log_{10}(2) + 5\log_{10}(2)$
$= \log_{10}(5) + \log_{10}(2) = \log_{10}(10) = 1$.
This avoids fraction multiplication entirely.
### Common Pitfall
A frequent mistake is mishandling the power rule with fractional coefficients. Students might incorrectly evaluate $(1/3)\log(125)$ by dividing the entire log value rather than applying the cube root to the argument $125$. Always apply the exponent to the argument first.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is 1.**