Identify the base and the exponent
Rewrite the exponential form as a logarithmic form
Use the definition ( log_b(a) = c iff b^c = a )
Check that the base is positive and not equal to 1
Check that the argument is positive
Use log rules when simplifying
Product rule: ( log_b(xy) = log_b(x) + log_b(y) )
Quotient rule: ( log_b(x/y) = log_b(x) – log_b(y) )
Power rule: ( log_b(x^k) = klog_b(x) )
Change of base rule: ( log_b(a) = frac{log_c(a)}{log_c(b)} )
Solve for the variable
Verify the solution in the original equation