Identify the base and the argument
Rewrite the logarithm in exponential form
Use the definition ( log_b(a) = c iff b^c = a )
Apply basic log rules
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) )
Use change of base when needed: ( log_b(a) = frac{log(a)}{log(b)} )
Solve for the variable
Check that the argument is positive
Check that the base is positive and not equal to 1