Use logarithms to solve exponential equations of the form ab^(ct)=d and evaluate with technology.
Evaluate a logarithm by change of base to four decimals
Problem
Use change of base to evaluate \(\log_{2}(17)\). Show the quotient and round to \(\text{four}~\text{decimal}~\text{places}\).
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What this problem is really about
Change of base keeps the original argument in the numerator and the original base in the denominator, using the same calculator logarithm in both places. Evaluate the quotient at full precision and round only once at the requested digit. Nearby integer powers of the base provide a quick magnitude check.
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