Problem Understanding: Understand the problem.We need to find the value of the logarithm of 3 with base 7, which is written as log73.
Logarithm Definition: Apply the definition of a logarithm.The logarithm log73 asks the question: "To what power must we raise 7 to get 3?" This is not an integer value, and we cannot express 3 as a power of 7 using whole numbers or simple fractions.
Solution Type: Recognize that the solution is not a simple fraction or whole number.Since 3 is not a power of 7, log73 will not be a whole number or a simple fraction. It is an irrational number.
Final Conclusion: Conclude that the logarithm cannot be simplified further. Without a calculator or additional constraints, we cannot simplify log73 any further. It is an exact expression of the value we are looking for.