Introduction To

Logarithms
 Logarithms were originally
developed to simplify complex
arithmetic calculations.

They were designed to transform

multiplicative processes
into additive ones.
If at first this seems like no big deal,
then try multiplying
2,234,459,912 and 3,456,234,459.

Without a calculator !

Clearly, it is a lot easier to add

these two numbers.
 Today of course we have calculators
and scientific notation to deal with such
large numbers.

So at first glance, it would seem that

logarithms have become obsolete.
Indeed, they would be obsolete except for one
very important property of logarithms.

It is called
the power property and we
will learn about it in another lesson.

For now we need only to observe that

it is an extremely important part
of solving exponential equations.
Our first job is to try
to make some sense
of logarithms.
 Our first question then
must be:

What is a logarithm ?
 Of course logarithms have
a precise mathematical
definition just like all terms in
mathematics. So let’s
start with that.
 Definition of Logarithm

Suppose b>0 and b≠1,

there is a number ‘p’
such that:

logb n  p if and only if b  n

p
 Now a mathematician
understands exactly what
that means.

But, many a student

is left scratching
their head.
The first, and perhaps the most
important step, in
understanding logarithms is to
realize that they always relate
back to exponential equations.
 You must be able to convert an
exponential equation into
logarithmic form and vice versa.

So let’s get a lot of practice with this !

 Example 1:

Write 2  8 in logarithmic form.

3

Solution: log2 8  3

We read this as: ”the log base

2 of 8 is equal to 3”.
 Example 1a:

Write 4  16 in logarithmic form.

2

Solution: log4 16  2

Read as: “the log base

4 of 16 is equal to 2”.
 Example 1b:

1
Write 2 3
in logarithmic form.
8
1
Solution: log2   3
8
1
Read as: "the log base 2 of is equal to -3".
8
 Okay, so now it’s time for
you to try some on your
own.

1. Write 7  49 in logarithmic form.

2

Solution: log 7 49  2
2. Write 5  1 in logarithmic form.
0

Solution: log5 1  0
 1
2
3. Write 10  in logarithmic form.
100

1
Solution: log10  2
100
 1

4. Finally, write 16  4
2

in logarithmic form.

1
Solution: log16 4 
2
It is also very important to be able
to start with a logarithmic
expression and change this into
exponential form.

This is simply the reverse of

what we just did.
 Example 1:

Write log3 81 4 in exponential form

Solution: 3  81
4
 Example 2:

1
Write log2   3 in exponential form.
8

1

3
Solution: 2
8
 Okay, now you try these next
three.
1. Write log10 100  2 in exponential form.

1
2. Write log5   3 in exponential form.
125
1
3. Write log27 3  in exp onential form.
3
1. Write log10 100  2 in exponential form.

Solution: 10  100
2
 1
2. Write log5   3 in exponential form.
125

3 1
Solution: 5 
125
 1
3. Write log27 3  in exponential form.
3

Solution: 27  3
3
We now know that a logarithm is
perhaps best understood
as being
closely related to an
exponential equation.

In fact, whenever we get stuck

in the problems that follow
we will return to
this one simple insight.

We might even state a

simple rule.
When working with logarithms,
if ever you get “stuck”, try
rewriting the problem in
exponential form.

Conversely, when working

with exponential expressions,
if ever you get “stuck”, try
rewriting the problem
in logarithmic form.
 Let’s see if this simple
rule
can help us solve some
of the following problems.
Example 1
Solve for x: log 6 x  2

Solution:
Let’s rewrite the problem
in exponential form.
6 x
2

We’re finished !
 Example 2
1
Solve for y: log 5 y
25

Solution: Rewrite the problem in

exponential form.
1
5 
y  1  2 
Since   5 
25 
25
5y  5 2

y  2
 Example 3

Evaluate log3 27.

Solution:
Try setting this up like this:

log3 27  y Now rewrite in exponential form.

3  27
y

3 3
y 3

y3
These next two problems
tend to be some of the
trickiest to evaluate.

Actually, they are merely

identities and
the use of our simple
rule
will show this.
 Example 4

2
Evaluate: log7 7

Solution:
log7 7  y
2
First, we write the problem with a variable.

7 7
y 2
Now take it out of the logarithmic form
and write it in exponential form.
y2
 Example 5

log 4 16
Evaluate: 4

Solution:
4 log 4 16
y First, we write the problem with a variable.

log4 y  log4 16 Now take it out of the exponential form

and write it in logarithmic form.
Just like 2  8 converts to log2 8  3
3

y  16
 Ask your teacher
about the last two
examples.

They may show you

a nice shortcut.
 Finally, we want to take a look at the
Property of Equality for Logarithmic
Functions.

Suppose b  0 and b  1.
Then logb x1  logb x 2 if and only if x1  x 2

Basically, with logarithmic functions,

if the bases match on both sides of the equal sign ,
then simply set the arguments equal.
 Example 1

Solve: log3 (4x 10)  log3 (x 1)

Solution:
Since the bases are both ‘3’ we simply set the
arguments equal.
4x 10  x 1
3x 10  1
3x   9
x 3
 Example 2

log8 (x 14)  log8 (5x)

2
Solve:

Solution:
Since the bases are both ‘8’ we simply set the arguments equal.

x 14  5x
2

x  5x 14  0
2
Factor
(x  7)(x  2)  0
(x  7)  0 or (x  2)  0
x  7 or x  2 continued on the next page
 Example 2
continued

log8 (x 14)  log8 (5x)

2
Solve:

Solution:
x  7 or x  2
It appears that we have 2 solutions here.
If we take a closer look at the definition of a
logarithm however, we will see that not only
must we use positive bases, but also we see that
the arguments must be positive as well.
Therefore -2 is not a solution.
Let’s end this lesson by taking a closer look at
this.
 Our final concern then is to
determine why logarithms like the
one below are undefined.

log 2 (8)
Can anyone give us
an explanation ?
 log 2 (8)  undefined WHY?

One easy explanation is to simply rewrite this

logarithm in exponential form.
We’ll then see why a negative value is not
permitted.

log 2 (8)  y First, we write the problem with a variable.

2  8
y
Now take it out of the logarithmic form
and write it in exponential form.
What power of 2 would gives us -8 ?
1
2  8 and 2 
3 3

8
Hence expressions of this type are undefined.
 That concludes our introduction
to logarithms. In the lessons to
follow we will learn some important
properties of logarithms.

One of these properties will give

us a very important tool
which
we need to solve exponential
equations. Until then let’s
practice with the basic themes
of this lesson.