Problem 72

Question

In Exercises \(71-78,\) use common logarithms or natural logarithms and a calculator to evaluate to four decimal places. $$ \log _{6} 17 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The value of \(log_6 17\) to four decimal places, is approximately 1.7654. This uses the change of base formula and a calculator to compute.
1Step 1: Understand the formula to be used - Change of Base Formula
The 'Change of Base Formula' applies to logarithms, which allows changing the base of the logarithm into another number. The formula is \(log_b a = log_c a / log_c b\), where c could be any positive number.
2Step 2: Apply the Change of Base Formula to the given problem
Applying the formula to the given logarithm, we need to find \(log_6 17\), but we only have common logarithms (log) or natural logarithms (ln) on the calculator. Let's use the common logarithm (base 10). The formula then changes to: \(log_6 17 = log 17 / log 6\).
3Step 3: Calculate the values using a calculator
Calculate the values of \(log 17\) and \(log 6\) using a calculator, and then divide the two outputs.