🎓 CLEP Exam Prep

Solve the logarithmic equation: log₂(x) + log₂(x - 2) = 3.

A x = 4
B x = -2
C x = 4 or x = -2
D No solution

✓ Correct Answer: Option A

Use the logarithm property log(A) + log(B) = log(AB): log₂(x(x - 2)) = 3. Convert to exponential form: x(x - 2) = 2³. So, x² - 2x = 8 => x² - 2x - 8 = 0. Factoring gives (x - 4)(x + 2) = 0. Potential solutions are x = 4 and x = -2. However, log arguments must be positive, so x = -2 is extraneous. Thus, x = 4 is the only solution.

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