Calculators may output a log of a negative number when in complex mode but the log of a negative number is not a real number. Do not calculate the logs yet. Like 2x12 to the power of negative 2x and 3 to the power of 1 -the power of 2x81.
If one of the terms in the equation has base 10 use the common logarithm.
To solve exponential equations first see whether you can write both sides of the equation as powers of the same number. Rewrite the problem using the same base. A logarithmic equation is an equation that involves the logarithm of an expression containing a variable. Calculators may output a log of a negative number when in complex mode but the log of a negative number is not a real number.