Notes 4
Notes 4
In Mathematics, logarithms are the other way of writing the exponents. A logarithm of a number with a base is equal
to another number.
Logb x = n or bn = x
“The logarithm of a positive real number a with respect to base b, a positive real number not equal to 1 [nb 1], is the
exponent by which b must be raised to yield a”.
Where,
Exponents Logarithms
62 = 36 Log6 36 = 2
33 = 27 Log3 27 = 3
Logarithm Types
In most cases, we always deal with two different types of logarithms, namely
Common Logarithm
Natural Logarithm
Common Logarithm
The common logarithm is also called the base 10 logarithms. It is represented as log10 or simply log. For example,
the common logarithm of 1000 is written as a log (1000). The common logarithm defines how many times we have to
multiply the number 10, to get the required output.
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm is called the base e logarithm. The natural logarithm is represented as ln or loge. Here, “e”
represents the Euler’s constant which is approximately equal to 2.71828. For example, the natural logarithm of 78 is
written as ln 78. The natural logarithm defines how many we have to multiply “e” to get the required output.
Product Rule
Logb (mn)= logb m + logb n
Division Rule
Logb (m/n)= logb m – logb n
Exponential Rule
Logb (mn) = n logb m
Example: logb(23) = 3 logb 2
Other Properties
Logb b = 1
Logb 1 = 0
Logb 0 = undefined
Logarithmic Formulas
logb(mn) = logb(m) + logb(n)
Logarithms Examples
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:
Use of the property of logarithms, solve for the value of x for log3 x= log3 4+ log3 7
Example 4:
Example 5: