GENERAL MATHEMATICS
LESSON 6: Logarithmic Function
Logarithmic Form Exponential Form Examples Answers
THE LOGARITHM OF A NUMBER - Let a , b ,∧c be positive real numbers such that b> 0∧b ≠ 1. The logarithm of a with
base b is denoted by log b a and is defined as c = log b a if and only if a=bc .
TAKE NOTE:
Logarithmic expressions are the inverses of exponential expressions.
In logarithmic form log b a , b cannot be negative.
The value of log b a can be negative.
If the base is not written, it is understood to be in the base 10.
Basic Properties and Laws of Logarithm
Let a, b and c be positive real numbers such that b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
BASIC PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHM
Property 1:
In symbols: log b 1=0
In words: The logarithm of the number 1 to any base is zero.
Property 2:
In symbols: log b b=1
In words: The logarithm of the number to the same number as its base is equal to 1.
Property 3:
1
In symbols: log b ¿−1
b
In words: The logarithm of the reciprocal of a number to the same number as its base is equal to −1.
Property 4:
Property 5:
LAWS OF LOGARITHM
Law 1: Product Rule
In symbols: log b MN = log b M + log b N
In words: The logarithm of a product is the sum of the logarithms.
Law 2: Quotient Rule
In symbols: log bMN = log b M − log b N
In words: The logarithm of a quotient is the difference of the logarithms.
Law 3: Power Rule
log b M n = n log b M
In words: The logarithm of a number raised to a number is the product of the power and the logarithm of a
number.
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS - A logarithmic equation is an equation involving logarithmic expression of a variable. If a
logarithmic equation is in the form oflog b x=c , we can solve the equation by rewriting it in its equivalent exponential
form bc=x .
NOTE:
If b> 0 , then the logarithmic equation y=log b x is increasing for all x . If 0<b <1 , then the logarithmic
equation y=log b x is decreasing for all x . This means that log b u=log b v if and only if u=v
(One to one Property of Logarithmic Equation)
BIGGER IDEA!
Logarithms with base 10 are common because our number system is in base 10. For this reason, it is called
common logarithms. That is, log 10 x=log x . When the base is not shown it is assumed to be 10. While a natural
logarithm is a logarithm with a base e . The natural logarithm of x is denoted by ln x . That is, ln x = log e x . Since
exponential and logarithm functions are inverse of each other, majority of the calculators put both ln x∧e functions
into one key.
For x >0 ,
y=log x is equivalent to x=10 y
y=ln x is equivalent to x=e y
NOTE:
e=2.7182821828∧ln e=1.
The logarithm of a negative number or zero does not exist.
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
The logarithmic function with base b is defined by the equation y=log b x , where b>0∧b ≠ 1. This equation is
equivalent to the exponential equation x=b y