J. K.

SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

CHAPTER 2
Indices, Surds and Logarithms

ax = N
a = base
x = Power/Exponent/Index
N = Product
[ But , a ≠ 0,1, ±∞ ]
Theory of Indices deals with the various changes in power, during various mathematical
operations.

Basic Rules

1. a m × a n = a m + n
am
2. n = a m − n
a
3. ( a m ) = a mn ; m is added n times
n

4. ( ab ) = a m xb m
m

m
a am
5.   = m
b b
6. a 0 = 1
1
7. a − n =
an
8. If a m = a n ⇒ m = n; where, a ≠ 0,1, −1, ±∞
9. a m = b m
(i) m ≠ 0
(ii) a = b (when m is odd)
(iii) a = ±b (when m is even)
10. a x = N
1
⇒a=N = x x
N
11.(i )0 = 0
a

(ii )1a = 1
(iii ) a 1 = a
(iv ) a 0 = 1
( v )0 0 has no meaning

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

Basic Formulae

1. ( a + b ) = a 2 + 2ab + b 2
2

2. ( a − b )2 = a 2 − 2ab + b 2
3. a 2 − b 2 = ( a + b )( a − b)
4. ( a + b )2 + ( a − b )2 = 2 ( a 2 + b 2 )
5. ( a + b)2 − ( a − b )2 = 4ab
6. ( a + b + c )2 = a 2 + b 2 + c 2 + 2( ab + bc + ca )
7. ( a + b)3 = a 3 + 3a 2b + 3ab 2 + b 3 = a 3 + b 3 + 3ab( a + b )
8. ( a − b )3 = a 3 − 3a 2b + 3ab 2 − b 3 = a 3 − b3 − 3ab( a − b )
9. a 3 + b 3 = ( a + b )( a 2 − ab + b 2 )
10.a 3 − b 3 = ( a − b )( a 2 + ab + b 2 )
11.If a + b + c = 0, then a 3 + b 3 + c 3 = 3abc
12.If a 3 + b 3 + c 3 = 3abc, then either a + b + c = 0 or a = b = c
but both the results cannot hold true simultaneously

Rational Numbers, Irrational Numbers & Surds

• A Rational Number is a number which can be expressed in the form p/q, where q ≠ 0;
p & q are integers and p and q are prime to each other, i.e., there is no common factor
between p & q, other than 1.

• Any terminating and recurring decimals are rational numbers.

• Thus any non-recurring and non-terminating decimals are irrational numbers, and
when the irrational numbers are expressed in radical form (root form), it is known as
“Surds”.

• Thus all the surds are irrational, but all irrational numbers are not surds.

• The numbers whose perfect root can be evaluated are rational quantities and
numbers for which perfect roots cannot be evaluated are irrational quantities.

Order of Surds
1
If k m = ( m ) k is a surd, then, it is said to be a surd of order "k".

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

Pure Surds and Mixed Surds

In case of pure surds, entire expression is kept within the radical sign. In mixed surds, it is
expressed as a product of one rational and one irrational quantity.

Example:
7 is a pure surd; 12 = 4 x3 = 2 3 is a mixed surd.

Conjugate of a Surd

(
If a + b or ) ( a + b ) are surds, their respective conjugates would be given by,
(a − b ) or ( a − b ) and vice-versa.

Rationalization of Surds

Rationalization is a process, where we convert the irrational part of the surd into a rational
quantity, with help of its conjugate.

Note: 1

• Rational + Rational = Rational

• Rational – Rational = Rational

• Rational x Rational = Rational

• Rational ÷ Rational = Rational

Note: 2

• Irrational + Irrational = Irrational

• Irrational – Irrational = Rational (only when the quantities are equal); otherwise –

. Irrational – Irrational = Irrational

• Irrational x Irrational = May be Rational or Irrational

• Irrational ÷ Irrational = May be Rational or Irrational

Note: 3

• Rational + Irrational = Irrational

• Rational – Irrational = Irrational

• Rational x Irrational = Irrational

• Rational ÷ Irrational = Irrational

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

Square Root of Surds

• The square root of a surd is always a surd.

• Every answer for square root must contain +ve or –ve sign and in the absence of +/-
sign, “none of these” will be marked as answer.

• If the given surd, whose square root is to be evaluated is in the form a ± b , then the ( )
answer will also be in the form ± x ± y . ( )
• Square the options, in order to get the question back.

Numerical Problems:
a−b 
1. If “a” and “b” are whole numbers (a, b ≠ 1), such that ab = 49, then the value of  
 a +b 
is:
a) 5 / 9
b) 5
c) 9
d) 1
e)
2. If 3a + 5b = 34 and 3a+1 + 5b+2 = 652, then the values of “a” and “b” respectively are:
a) 3, 3
b) 5, 5
c) 2, 2
d) 1, 3

3. If 2n – 2n-1 = 4, then find the value of nn.

a) 8
b) 27
c) 125
d) 1

భ భ భ
್శ೎ ೌష್ ೎శೌ ್ష೎ ೌశ್ ೎షೌ
4. Evaluate:. ൬‫ݔ‬ ൰
೎షೌ . ቀ‫ݔ‬ ೌష್ቁ . ൬‫ݔ‬ ್ష೎ ൰
a) 1
b) –1
c) 3
d) None of the above

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 J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

( b + c − a) (c + a − b) ( a+ b −c )
 xb   xc   xa 
5. Evaluate:  c 
. a  . b  .
x  x  x 
a. x0
b. xabc
c. xa+b+c
d. (a) or (b) both

6. If fabc = fa.fb.fc, where a, b, c and f are all positive integers, then a2 + b2 + c2 = ?

a. 16
b. 14
c. 18
d. 3

If A = 23 , B = ( 23 ) , C = (2)3 , then which of the following is true?

2 2 2
7.
a) A=B
b) A=C
c) B=C
d) A=B=C

1 1 1
8. Find the value of + + ; if xyz = 1.
1 + x + y −1 1 + y + z −1 1 + z + x −1

a. 0
b. 1
c. –1
d. 2

If E = (10 ) ÷ (10 )
150 146
9. , then E + 101 =?
a. 11001
b. 10101
c. 100101
d. 1000101

10. Evaluate: (0.000064)5/6

a) 0.0032
b) 0.00032
c) 0.0000032
d) None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

11. The value of 6 + 6 + 6 + ..............∞ is:

a. 3
b. 2
c. –2
d. (a) and (c) both

x
12. If 4x = 8y, what is the value of -1?
y
a. 3
b. 2
c. 0.5
d. – 0.5

13. If 2x = 4y = 8z, and 1/2x + 1/4y + 1/8z = 22/7, find (x, y, z).
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 16/7, 32/7, 48/7
c) 7/16, 7/32, 7/48
d) None of the above
e)
x3 + y 3 + z 3 + ( x + y )( y + z )( z + x )
14. If x + y + z = 0 and xyz ≠ 0, find the value of xyz
a. –2
b. 0
c. 2
d. 3

a2 b2 c2
15. If a + b + c = 0 find the value of + +
a 2 − bc b 2 − ca c 2 − ab
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 4

27( a − b )(b − c )(c − a )

16. If a, b, c are real and distinct, then find the value of a 2 (b − c) + b 2 (c − a ) + c 2 (a − b)
a) – 27
b) 0
c) 27
d) 81

17. Find the value of (1.729)3 + 3(1.729)(0.542) + (0.271)3

a) 2
b) 8
c) 2.271
d) 1.458

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18. Find the value of a, if 2a +1 ⋅ 5a = 200

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. None of the above

9 1
19. If 27p = , then the value of is?
3p p2
a. 9
b. 4
c. 16
d. 1

273x - 8
20. Find the value of x, if 35x.94x – 2 =
81−3x
a. 5
b. 2
c. 1
d. 5/2

x −1 x −3

21. If   =   , then the value of x is?

a b
b a
a. 3
b. 2
c. 1
d. 0

 1/ 2 
22. Find the value of x, when  x.x1/ 2  x = ( x)  x. x 
 
a. 3/2
b. 9/4
c. 27/8
d. 81/16

1 1
23. If A = + , then the value of (A + 1) is?
1 + an−m 1 + am−n
a) 0
b) 2
c) 5
d) 11

1 1 1
24. If x = a −b a −c
+ b −c b−a
+ c−a , then find the value of xx.
1+ z +z 1+ z +z 1+ z + z c−b
a. 0
b. 1
c. 4
d. 9
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1
1
25. If M = m 3 + 1
, then the value of M3 – 3M.
3
m
a. 2m
b. m + m -1
c. 0
d. None of the above

1 1
−
26. If x = 53 + 5 3 , then find the value of x3 – 3x.
a. 5
b. 5.10
c. 5.20
d. 5.50

27. 2 x = 3 y = 6 z , then the value of z is ?

a. xy
b. x+ y
c. x− y
xy
d.
x + y

1 1
28. If ( 7.77 ) x = (.777 ) y = 1000 , then the value of − is?
x y
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) None of the above

29. If pa and pqr = 1, then which of the following is true?

= qb = r c
a) a+b+c=0
b) a=b+c
c) b=c+a
d) ab +bc + ca = 0

3+ 6
30. Simplify: .
5 3 − 2 12 − 32 + 50
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) None of the above

1 1 1
31. Simplify: + + .
1+ 2 2+ 3 3+ 4
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 0

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3+ 2 3− 2
32. If a = ,b = then find the value of a2 + b2.
3− 2 3+ 2
a) 98
b) 99
c) 100
d) None of the above

3+ 2 3− 2
33. If a = ,b = then find the value of a-2 + b-2.
3− 2 3+ 2
a) 10
b) 100
c) 98
d) 99

2 +1 2 −1
34. If x = , y= and E = x2 + xy + y2, Then E – 5 =?
2 −1 2 +1
a) 33
b) 30
c) 12
d) 35

1
35. If x = 3 + 8 , then the value of x 4 + is?
x4
a) 1100
b) 1
c) 1154
d) 1145

5 − 21
, then the value of  x3 + 3  − 5  x 2 + 2  +  x +  is?
1 1 1
36. If x =
2  x   x   x
a) 1
b) 0
c) 3
d) 2

7+4 3
37. If a = then find the value of [a(a – 14)]2.
7−4 3
a) 1
b) 2
c) 7
d) 14

38. If cube root of 2, 6th root of 3, 9th root of 4 are to be arranged in descending order of
magnitude, the new order will be:
3
a. 2, 9 4, 6 3
9
b. 4, 6 3, 3 2
3
c. 2, 6 3, 9 4
d. None
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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

39. 28 − 5 12 =?

a. 5+ 3

b. 5− 3

c. 5+ 6

d. None

40. 10 + 2 6 + 2 15 + 2 10 =?

a. 2+ 3+ 5

b. ± ( 2+ 5+ 7 )
c. − ( 2+ 3+ 5 )
d. None

41. Find the value of 18 − 16

a. ± 6 2  2 − 1

b. ± 4 2  2 − 1

c. ± 2  2 − 1

d. None of the above

5+ 2 6 − 5−2 6
42. Simplify: .
5+2 6 + 5−2 6

a) 3

b) 2

c) 1

d) None of the above

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 J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

1 1 2
43. Simplify: − − .
12 − 140 8 − 60 10 + 84

a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) None of the above

44. Find the cube root of 9 3 + 11 2

 2
3 3 1 + 
a)
 3 

 2
3  1 + 
b)
 3 

 2
3 3 1 − 
c)
 3 

 2
3  1 − 
d)
 3 

2
−

{ }
−1

( )
−1 5
45. If x = 0.6, then find the value of 1 − 1 − 1 − x
5
 .
 
a. 0.36
b. 0.6
c. 0.625
d. 0.63

46. If x = 2 + 3 , then the value of x3 – 2x2 – 7x + 4 is?

a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) 0

47. If a = √ 3 + √ 2 then find the value of 2a4 – 21a3 + 12a2 – a +1.

√3 - √2
a. 21
b. 1
c. 12
d. None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

Logarithms

If a x = N , then x = log a N ; * a ≠ 0,1, ±α and for the purpose of log, any negative quantity.
* x is called the logarithm of N (product) to the base "a ".

Base “a”

• The base “a” of log can be any positive real number except 1.
• The base of log can be clearly divided into two parts:

0 < a < 1 (the proper fraction)

a > 1 (positive integer / mixed fraction)
• Unless otherwise specified, the base of log is always taken to be 10 and this is known as
Common Logarithm.
• For theoretical purpose, the base is always taken to be “e”, where “e” is a constant and this is
known as “Natural Logarithm”.
• Common Logarithms are used for numerical calculations and Natural Logarithms are used in
calculus.

Basic Rules
1. log a mn = log a m + log a n
m
2. log a = log a m − log a n
n
3. log a mn = n log a m
4. log a a = 1
5.log a 1 = 0
6. log a 0 = Undefined
7. log a − ve = Undefined
8. log a m = log a n ⇒ m = n

Change of Base in Logarithms

log m a
1. log a b = (m can be any common base) (m ≠ 0,1, ± α ,-ve value)
log m b

1
2. log a b =
log b a

3. a loga x = x

Nature of Log Values

• All the values which are obtained from log tables are irrational numbers provided the numbers
are not 10 or in the form of 10n.

log a
• log b a is a rational quantity only when, is rational.
log b

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Number of Digits

Rule for finding out the number of digits in an expression of the form ab, where a and b are integers,
using logarithms.

• If K is a number, then its log value, logK can be divided into two parts: a) Integral Part, b)
Fractional Part.

• The integral part is called “Characteristics” and the fractional part is called “Mantissa”.

• The integral characteristics part can be positive or negative or zero but not a fraction.

• The values of mantissa are always positive fractions.

• The values for mantissa are obtained from log tables.

• Characteristics are to be calculated before we evaluate mantissa from the log table.

• Value of characteristics = number of significant digits before decimal – 1

• Thus Number of digits = value of characteristics + 1

1. log10 10 + log10 100 + log10 1000 + log10 10000 + log10 100000 is

a) 15

b) log10 11111

c) log10 1111

d) 14log10 100

a b
2. If log   + log   = log(a + b) , then which of the following is true?
b a
a) a+b=1
b) a+b=0
c) a=b
d) a–b=1

3. Find the value of log10  4  + log10  125  − log10  2  .

 25   7  7
a) 1
b) 4
c) 41
d) None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

  a2   b2   c 2 
4. Evaluate : log   + log   + log   
  bc   ac   ab  
a) 1
b) 2
c) –1
d) 0

1
5. log10 25 – 2 log10 3 + log10 18 equals
2
a) 18
b) 1
c) 3
d) None of the above

16 25 81
6. 7 log + 5 log + 3log =
15 24 80
a. log 2
b. log 3
c. log 5
d. None of the above

7. If log10 [98 + x 2 − 12 x + 36 ] = 2, then x =

a. 4
b. 8
c. 12
d. 4, 8

log 49 7 + log 25 5 − log 4 2

8. =
log17.5

a. 5
b. 2
c. 5/2
d. 3/2

9. If log5 ( x 2 + x ) − log5 ( x + 1) = 2 ; then find the value of x.

a. 5
b. 1/5
c. 52
d. None of the above

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3 + log10 343
10. =
1  49  1  1 
2 + log   + log  
2  4  3  125 
a. 3
3
b.
2
c. 2
d. 1

If   = 2, then x = ?
21
11.
 10 

log 2
a.
log 3 + log 7 + 1

log 2
b.
log 3 + log 7 − 1

log 2
c.
log 7 + log 3 + 2

d. None of the above

12. Evaluate: xlogy – logz . ylogz – logx . zlogx – logy.

a. 0
b. 1
c.2
d. –1

13. Evaluate: (bc)log b/c . (ca)log c/a . (ab)log a/b.

a. 0
b. 1
c. –1
d. None of the above

14. The value of is alog b/c . blog c/a . clog a/b

a) 0
b) 1
c) -1
d) None

15. Given log2 = 0.3010 and log3 = 0.4771, find the value of log6.
a) 0.9030
b) 0.9542
c) 0.7781
d) None of the above
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16. Given that log102 = x and log103 = y, the value of log10 60 is expressed as:
a. x+y+1
b. x–y+1
c. x–y–1
d. None of the above

17. Given logx = m + n and logy = m – n, the value of log (10x/y2) is expressed in terms of m and
n as:
a. 1- m + 3n
b. m – 1 + 3n
c. m + 3n + 1
d. None of the above

x+ y 1 x y
18. If log( ) = (log x + log y ) , then + =
5 2 y x
a. 20
b. 23
c. 22
d. 21
 3x − 3 y 
19. If log( x + y ) = log   , then log x – log y =
 2 
a. log 2
b. log 3
c. log 5
d. log 6

20. If log a = 1 log b = 1 log c , then find the value of a4b3c-2.

2 5
a. 0
b. –1
c. 1
d. None of the above

log x log y log z

21. If = = , then find the value of xxyyzz ?
y−z z−x x− y
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. None of the above

22. Find the value of logarithm of 64 to the base 2(2)0.5.

a. 1
b. 2
c. ½
d. None of the above

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23. Find the value of log 2 3 1728 .

a. 2
b. 6
c. 1
d. None of the above

24. log (a-9) + loga = 1, the value of a is given by

a) 0
b) 10
c) -1
d) None

25. On solving the equation logt + log (t - 3) = 1 we get the value of t as

a) 5
b) 2
c) 3
d) 0

26 For any three consecutive integers x, y, z. the equation log (1 + xz) – 2logy = 0 is:
a. True
b. False
c. Sometimes true
d. Cannot be determined in case of cyclic order

27. If log2 (log3 (log2x)) = 1, then x =

a. 512
b. 128
c. 12
d. 0

28. If log0.5 (logx (log432)) = 2, then x =

a. 5/2
b. 625/16
c. 25/4
d. None of the above

29. If x = logabc; y = logbca; z = logcab, then the value of xyz – x – y – z is:

a. 1
b. 2
c. –1
d. 0

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1 1 1
30. If x = loga bc, y = logb ca, z = logc ba, then the value of + + is….
x +1 z +1 1+ y
a. 3
b. 1
c. 2
d. 0
31. Find the value of log55.log49.log32.
a. 1
b. 2
c. 5
d. None of the above

32. Find the value of (logba x logcb x logac)3

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. None of the above

33. If log4x + log2x = 6, then the value of x is

a. 2
b. 4
c. 8
d. 16

34. If log 10 x = 2 log x10, then a possible value of x is given by:

a. 10
1
b.
100
1
c.
1000
d. None of the above

35. Evaluate : 1
logb a
a
a. a
b. b
c. a+b
d. None of the above
36. Find the value of the following expression:
a lo g a b . lo g b c . lo g c d . lo g d t
a. t
b. abcdt
c. a+b+c+d+t
d. None of the above
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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

 
 1 1 1 
37. The value of  + +  is …..?
 log p x log q x log r x
 q r p 
a. 3
b. 2
c. 1
d. None of the above

38. log2 log 2

log3 81 = ?

a. 3
b. 2
c. 1
d. 0

39. If MOI = log2 log2 log4 256 + 2log 2

2, then MOI equals:

a. 3
b. 5
c. 7
d. 25

40. Given log (1 + 2 + 3) = log1 + log2 + log3. Using the given rule calculate log (3 + 4 + 5).
a. log 3 + log 4
b. log 3 + log 4 + log 5
c. a) or b)
d. Can’t be determined

−y
If x = e y − e − y , then find the value of y.
y
41.
e +e
1+ x
a) log
1− x
1+ x
b) log e
1− x
1 1− x
c) log e
2 1+ x
1 1+ x
d) log e
2 1− x

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Indices, Surds and Logarithms

42. Given log2 = 0.30103, the number of digits in 2 50 is

a. 14

b. 16

c. 18

d. 25

43. log 2 5

a) An integer

b) A rational number

c) An irrational number

d) A prime number

log57 log75
44. 5 −7

a) log 2

b) 1

c) 0

d) None of the above

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