To rewrite the expression \( \frac{1}{4} \ln x + 5 \left[ \ln(x-2) - \frac{3}{10} \ln(x+2) \right] \) as a single logarithm, we'll first simplify each part.
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Distributing the 5 in the second term: \[ 5 [\ln(x-2) - \frac{3}{10} \ln(x+2)] = 5\ln(x-2) - 5 \cdot \frac{3}{10} \ln(x+2) = 5\ln(x-2) - \frac{3}{2} \ln(x+2) \]
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Now combine all terms: \[ \frac{1}{4} \ln x + 5 \ln(x-2) - \frac{3}{2} \ln(x+2) \]
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Convert each term to a logarithm of a power: \[ \frac{1}{4} \ln x = \ln(x^{1/4}), \quad 5 \ln(x-2) = \ln((x-2)^5), \quad -\frac{3}{2} \ln(x+2) = \ln\left(\frac{1}{(x+2)^{3/2}}\right) \]
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Combine the logarithms using the properties of logarithms: \[ \ln(x^{1/4}) + \ln((x-2)^5) - \ln((x+2)^{3/2}) = \ln\left(\frac{x^{1/4}(x-2)^5}{(x+2)^{3/2}}\right) \]
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Combine all terms into a single logarithm: \[ \ln\left(\frac{x^{1/4}(x-2)^5}{(x+2)^{3/2}}\right) \]
Now, we can simplify this expression.
The matching option from the given choices is:
d. \( \ln\left(\frac{\sqrt[4]{x(x-2)^5}}{\sqrt[10]{(x+2)^3}}\right) \)
Thus, option d, while it is not exactly the same format, does represent the correct expression as a single logarithm, but ensure to check against possible discrepancies in exponents based on the question's given options!