Properties of Logarithms

Property 1. The logarithm of the product of

two numbers equals the sum of the
logarithms of the numbers.
Proof. Let M and N be any two positive
numbers, and let x and y be their
logarithms to the common base of b. Then
log b M = x, and log b N = y
Writing these in exponential form, we get
b x+y = MN
Writing this in the logarithmic form
gives,
logb MN = x+y = logb M + logb N
Ex:
Log 6 = log 2(3) = log 2 + log 3
Property 2. The logarithm of a quotient
is equal to the logarithm of the
dividend minus the logarithm of the
divisor
Proof. Let logb M = x, and logb N = y, or
in exponential form
x y
Dividing the corresponding members
of the equations, we get
bx/by = b x-y = M/N
Writing this in logarithmic form gives
logb M/N = x – y = logb M – logb N
Ex:
log 8/3 = log 8 – log3
Property 3. The logarithm of the pth
power of a number is equal to p times
the logarithm of the number
Proof. Let logb N = x, or equivalently bx
=N
Raising both sides to the pth power, we
have
b xp = Np
Writing this in logarithmic form gives
logb Np = xp = p logb N
Ex:
1. log 100 = log 102 = 2log 10 =
2(1) = 2
2. log3 81 = log3 34 = 4log3 3 = 4(1)
=4
Property 4. The logarithm of the rth root
of a number is equal to the logarithm
of the number divided by r.
Proof. Let logb N = x, or bx = N
Extracting the rth root of both sides, we
have
Writing this in logarithmic form gives
logb N1/r = x/r = 1/r logb N.
Note:
i) From these four properties it follows
that if we use the logarithms of
numbers instead of numbers
themselves, then the operations of
multiplication, division, raising to
power, and extracting roots are
replaced by those of addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division
respectively.
ii) When the base is not indicated, it is
assumed as 10.
Ex:
1. Log √.001 = ½ log10 1/1000 = ½ (-
log1000) = ½ (-3) = -3/2
2. Write logb 5√a2(x-y)1/3/c4 in expanded
form
Sol’n:
1/5logb* a2(x-y)1/3/c4
1/5 {logb a2 + 1/3logb(x-y) – logb c4}
1/5{2logb a +1/3 logb(x-y) – 4 logb c}
3. Write 3log(x-1) -2log x + 5 log x2 –
log(x+1) as single logarithm
Sol’n:
3log(x-1) -2log x + 5 log x2 – log(x+1)
= log(x-1)3 – log x2 + log (x2)5 –
log(x+1)
= log (x-1)3 x10/x2 (x+1)
= log (x-1)3 x8/(x+1)
Express the following as single
logarithms
1. Log 5 + log 4
2. Log 14 log 2
3. 2log 3 + 3log 2
4. 2log 9 – 3log 3
5. Log 8 + log 3 – log 6
6. 2log 6 + log 2 – log 6
7. ½ log4 + ¼ log 81
8. 1/3 log 64 – ½ log 4
9. 2log 3 – ½ log 9 + 3log 2
10.3log x – 2log y + 5log z
II. Verify the following:
1. Log 3√100 – log(0.1)2 = 8/3
2. Log1/10 + log √10 = -1/2
3. Log √1000 + log √0.01 = ½
4. Log(0.1)4 – log3√0.001 = -1
Compute what is required:
5. If log(x-1) + log(x+1) = 1, then x = ?
6. If log 3 = x and log 7 = y, then log 441
=?
7. If log23 + log24 = x + log26, then x = ?
8. If log8(x-1) + log8(x+1) = 1, then x = ?