Scribd
Upload
186 views5 pages

Eew ps1 PDF

This document provides an introduction to logarithms and exponents, including definitions and properties. It presents the basic rules for exponents, such as a^x * a^y = a^(x+y). It also defines logarithms and their properties, including the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions. Examples of problems involving exponents and logarithms are worked out, with step-by-step solutions shown. A problem set with additional exercises is provided to help practice these concepts.

Uploaded by

agentyikes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
186 views5 pages

Eew ps1 PDF

This document provides an introduction to logarithms and exponents, including definitions and properties. It presents the basic rules for exponents, such as a^x * a^y = a^(x+y). It also defines logarithms and their properties, including the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions. Examples of problems involving exponents and logarithms are worked out, with step-by-step solutions shown. A problem set with additional exercises is provided to help practice these concepts.

Uploaded by

agentyikes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Centre for Education

in Mathematics and Computing

Euclid eWorkshop # 1

Logarithms and Exponents

c
2014
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

Euclid eWorkshop #1

L OGARITHMS AND E XPONENTS

T OOLKIT
If a, b, x, and y are real numbers and n is a nonzero integer then the rules for exponents are:
1

an =

1
if a 6= 0
ax

a0 = 1 if a 6= 0

ax =

ax
= axy if a 6= 0
ay

(ax )y = axy

ax ay = ax+y

ax
a
= ( )x if b 6= 0
bx
b
Also, 00 is not defined if it is encountered using any of the above formulae.
If a, x, and y are nonzero real numbers then:
ax bx = (ab)x

loga (xy) = loga x + loga y

x
loga ( ) = loga x loga y
y

loga (xy ) = y loga x

loga (ax ) = aloga x = x

loga x =

1
logx a

loga 1 = 0

loga x
= logy x
loga y

If f (x) = ax then f 1 (x) = loga x. You should be able to sketch the graphs of both these functions. The graphs are
shown for a = 2 below.

10
4
8
y
2
6
y

0
5

10

15

20

25

30

4
-2
2
-4
0
-3

-2

-1

C ENTRE FOR E DUCATIONS IN M ATHEMATICS C OMPUTING

Euclid eWorkshop #1

L OGARITHMS AND E XPONENTS

S AMPLE P ROBLEMS
1. Calculate the ratio

x
if 2 log5 (x 3y) = log5 (2x) + log5 (2y)
y

Solution
First we note that if the 3 logarithmic terms are to be defined in the original equation then their arguments must
be positive. So x > 0, y > 0, and x > 3y. Now
2 log5 (x 3y) = log5 (2x) + log5 (2y)
log5 (x 3y)2 = log5 (4xy).
Now since the log function takes on each value its range only once, this implies
(x 3y)2 = 4xy
x2 6xy + 9y 2 = 4xy
x2 10xy + 9y 2 = 0
(x y)(x 9y) = 0
So

x
x
x
= 1 or 9. But > 3 from our restrictions so that = 9.
y
y
y

2. If m and k are integers, find all solutions to the equation 9(7k + 7k+2 ) = 5m+3 + 5m .
Solution
We factor both sides of this equation to arrive at:

9(1 + 72 )7k = 5m (1 + 53 )
32 2 52 7k = 5m 2 32 7
Now since both sides of this equation are integers and have unique factorizations it follows that m = 2 and
k = 1 is the only solution.
3. Determine the points of intersection of the curves y = log10 (x 2) and y = 1 log10 (x + 1).
Solution
Again the arguments of the log functions, x 2 and x + 1 must be positive which implies that x > 2. Now

C ENTRE FOR E DUCATIONS IN M ATHEMATICS C OMPUTING

Euclid eWorkshop #1

L OGARITHMS AND E XPONENTS

log10 (x 2) = 1 log10 (x + 1)
log10 (x 2) + log10 (x + 1) = 1
log10 [(x 2)(x + 1)] = 1
(x 2)(x + 1) = 10
x2 x 2 = 10
x2 x 12 = 0
(x 4)(x + 3) = 0
So x = 4 or 3, but x > 2 from our restrictions so x = 4. The point of intersection is (4, log10 2) or
(4, 1 log10 5). Since log10 2 + log10 5 = 1, these are equivalent answers.
4. Solve for x if log2 (9 2x ) = 3 x.
Solution
Once again the argument of the log must be positive, implying that 9 > 2x .
log2 (9 2x ) = 3 x
8
(9 2x ) = 23x = x
2
Substituting y = 2x we have:
8
y
2
y 9y + 8 = 0
9y =

Thus, y = 1 or y = 8. Substituting back in, we see that x = 0 or x = 3. Both of these satisfy the restriction.
5. The graph of y = mx passes through the points (2, 5) and (5, n). What is the value of mn?
Solution
From the given information, m2 = 5 and n = m5 . Thus

m= 5

n = ( 5)5

mn = ( 5)6 = 125.

C ENTRE FOR E DUCATIONS IN M ATHEMATICS C OMPUTING

Euclid eWorkshop #1

L OGARITHMS AND E XPONENTS

P ROBLEM S ET
1. Determine x such that logx 2 + logx 4 + logx 8 = 1.
2. Determine the values of x such that 122x+1 = 23x+7 33x4 .
3. What is the sum of the following series?
log10

4. If x3 y 5 = 211 313 and

3
4
5
200
+ log10 + log10 + log10
.
2
3
4
199

1
x
=
, solve for x and y.
2
y
27

5. If log8 3 = k then express log8 18 in terms of k.


6. Solve the equations for the point of intersection of the graphs of y = log2 (2x) and y = log4 x.
7. The points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) lie on the graph of y = loga x. Through the midpoint of AB a horizontal
line is drawn to cut the curve at C(x3 , y3 ). Show that (x3 )2 = x1 x2 .
8. The function y = axr passes through the points (2, 1) and (32, 4). Calculate the value of r.
9. If 2x+3 + 2x = 3y+2 3y and x and y are integers, determine the values of x and y.
10. If f (x) = 24x2 , calculate, in simplest form, f (x) f (1 x).
11. Find all values of x such that log5 (x 2) + log5 (x 6) = 2.
12. Prove that a, b, and c are 3 numbers that form a geometric sequence if and only if logx a, logx b and logx c form
an arithmetic sequence.

C ENTRE FOR E DUCATIONS IN M ATHEMATICS C OMPUTING

You might also like