The value of $(\log_9 27 + \log_8 32)$ is
Aptitude
Logarithm
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A$\frac{7}{2}$
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B$\frac{19}{6}$
-
C4
-
D7
Answer
Correct Answer: $\frac{19}{6}$
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
This problem requires evaluating two separate logarithms by expressing both their bases and arguments as powers of a common prime number.
The fundamental rule to use here is the base-power and argument-power property:
$$ \log_{a^k} (b^n) = \frac{n}{k} \cdot \log_a(b) $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
Let's evaluate each logarithmic term individually before adding them.
**First term: $\log_9(27)$**
Express both $9$ and $27$ as powers of the prime base $3$:
$9 = 3^2$
$27 = 3^3$
Rewrite the logarithm:
$\log_{3^2}(3^3)$
Apply the power rule to pull out the exponents as a fraction:
$\frac{3}{2} \cdot \log_3(3)$
Since $\log_3(3) = 1$, the term simplifies to:
$\frac{3}{2}$
**Second term: $\log_8(32)$**
Express both $8$ and $32$ as powers of the prime base $2$:
$8 = 2^3$
$32 = 2^5$
Rewrite the logarithm:
$\log_{2^3}(2^5)$
Apply the power rule:
$\frac{5}{3} \cdot \log_2(2)$
Since $\log_2(2) = 1$, the term simplifies to:
$\frac{5}{3}$
**Combine the terms:**
Now add the simplified values of the two terms together:
$\frac{3}{2} + \frac{5}{3}$
To add these fractions, find a common denominator, which is $6$:
$\left(\frac{3 \cdot 3}{2 \cdot 3}\right) + \left(\frac{5 \cdot 2}{3 \cdot 2}\right)$
$\frac{9}{6} + \frac{10}{6}$
$\frac{19}{6}$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
For any log where the base and argument are powers of the same number, the answer is just the ratio of their exponents: (power of argument) / (power of base).
$27$ is $3^3$, $9$ is $3^2 \Rightarrow 3/2$.
$32$ is $2^5$, $8$ is $2^3 \Rightarrow 5/3$.
You can skip writing down the log notations entirely and jump straight to adding the fractions $3/2 + 5/3$.
### Common Pitfall
A very common mistake is flipping the fraction when applying the exponent rule, writing $\log_9(27)$ as $2/3$ instead of $3/2$. Remember the rule: the exponent of the argument goes in the numerator (top), and the exponent of the base goes in the denominator (bottom).
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is $\frac{19}{6}$.**