Introduction to 

Logarithm
The logarithm of any positive number, whose base is a number, which is greater than zero and
not equal to one, is the index or the power to which the base must be raised in order to obtain the
given number.
Mathematically: If a x =b (wherea >0 , ≠1) ,
then x is called the logarithm of b to the base a and we write log  b = x, clearly b > 0. Thus
a

x
log a b=x ⇔ a =b , a> 0 , a ≠1
and b > 0.
If a = 10, then we write log b rather than log  b. If a = e, we write ln b rather than log  b. Here, ‘e’
10 e

is called as Napier’s base and has numerical value equal to 2.7182. Also, log  e is known 10

as Napierian constant.
i.e. log  e = 0.4343
10

∴ ln b = 2.303 log  b
10

1 1
Since, [ln b=log 10 b × log e 10= × log 10 b= log 10 b=2.303 log 10 b]
log 10 e 0.4343
⇒ Important Points

1. log 2 = log 2 = 0.3010

10 

2. log 3 = log 3 = 0.4771

10 

3. ln 2 = 2.303 log 2 = 0.693

4. ln 10 = 2.303

Laws of Logarithm
Corollary 1: From the definition of the logarithm of the number b to the base a, we have an
identity a log b=b , a> 0 , a≠ 1 andb>0
a

Which is known as the Fundamental Logarithmic Identity.

Corollary 2: The function defined by f (x)=log a x , a> 0 , a≠ 1
is called logarithmic function. In domain is (0 , ∞)
and range is R (set of all real numbers).
Corollary 3: a x >0 , ∀ x ∈ R

1. If a > 1, then a  is monotonically increasing. For example, 52.7 >5 2.5 ,3 222 >3111
x

2. If 0 < a < 1, then a  is monotonically decreasing. For

x
example,
2.7 2.5
1 1 222 212
( ) <( ) ,(0.7) <(0.7)
5 5
 If

Solved Examples on Logarithm

∘
Example: 1: Find the value of log tan ⁡45❑ cot ⁡30❑
∘

Solution:
Here, base tan 45  = 1
0

∴ log is not defined.

0
Example: 2: Find the value of lo g(se c 2 0 2 0
60 – ta n 60 )
cos 60
Solution:
Here, base ¿ sec2 60❑∘−tan2 ⁡60❑∘ =1
∴ log is not defined.
Example: 3: Find the value of log (se c 2
30❑∘ +cos2 30❑∘)
1
Solution:
Since, log(sin 30 ❑ +cos 30❑ ) 1=log1 1 ≠ 1
2 ∘ 2 ∘

Here, base = 1, ∴ log is not defined.

Example: 4: Find the value of log 30 1
Solution: log 30 1=0

Characteristic and Mantissa

The integral part of a logarithm is called the characteristic and the fractional part (decimal part)
is called mantissa.
i.e., log N = Integer + Fractional or decimal part (+ve)
⇒ The mantissa of the log of a number is always kept positive.
i.e., if log564 = 2.751279, then 2 is the characteristic and 0.751279 is the mantissa of the given
number 564.
And if log0.00895 = -2.0481769 = -2–0.0481769 = (-2-1)+(1-0.0481769) = -3+0.9518231
Hence, -3 is the characteristic and 0.9518231
(not 0.0481769) is mantissa of log 0.00895.
―
In short, -3+0.951823 is written as 3 .9518231 .

Important Conclusions on Characteristic And Mantissa

 If the characteristics of log N be n, then the number of digits in N is (n+1) (Here, N > 1).
 If the characteristics of log N be –n, then there exists (n-1) number of zeroes after
decimal part of N (here, 0 < N < 1).
 If N > 1, the characteristic of log N will be on less than the number of digits in integral
part of N.
 If 0 < N < 1, the characteristic of log N is negative and numerically it is one greater than
the number of zeroes immediately after the decimal part in N.
For Example:
1. If log 235.68 = 2.3723227. Here, N = 235.68
∴ Number of digits in an integral part of N = 3
⇒ Characteristic of log 235.68 = N -1 = 3 – 1 = 2
―
2. If log 0.0000279=5 .4456042
― ―
Here, four zeroes immediately after the decimal point in the number 0.0000279 is (4+ 1 ) , i. e . 5 .

Problem: If log 2 = 0.301 and log 3 = 0.477, find the number of digits in 6 . 20

Solution: Let P = 6  = (2×3)
20 20

∴ log P = 20 log (2×3) = 20 {log2+log3}

= 20 {0.301+0.477} = 20 × 0.778 = 15.560
Since, the characteristic of log P is 15, therefore the number of digits in P will be 15 + 1, i.e. 16.

Principle Properties of Logarithm

Following are the logarithm rules.
Let m and n be arbitrary positive numbers, be any real numbers, then
1. Log  (m n) = log  m + log  n
a a a

In general, log (x , x , x ,…, x ) =

a  1 2 3 n

8.
Example 1: Solve the equation
Solution:
⇒
⇒
[by extra property (i)]
⇒
⇒
∴ 
∴
Example 2: If
find x.
Solution:
Since,
[by extra property (ix)]
and
[by extra property (viii)]
∴
⇒
∴ x = 10
Example 3: Prove that
Solution:
Since,
=
=
[by extra property (ii)]
Hence,
Example 4: Prove that
Solution:
=
Now, let
then
=
=
=
=
= 3 = RHS

Properties Of Monotonocity Of Logarithm

Logarithm with Constant Base

1.
2.
3.
4.

Logarithm with Variable Base

1. log  a is defined, if
x

2. If a > 1, then log  a is monotonically decreasing in

x

3. If 0 < a < 1, then log  a is monotonically increasing in

x

Key Points

1. If a > 1, p > 1, then log  p > 0

a

2. If 0 < a < 1, p > 1, then log  p < 0

a

3. If a > 1, 0 < p < 1, then log  p < 0

a

4. If p > a > 1, then log  p > 1

a

5. If a > p > 1, then 0 < log  p < 1

a

6. If 0 < a < p < 1, then 0 < log  p < 1 a

7. If 0 < p < a < 1, then log  p > 1

a

Graphs Of Logarithmic Functions

1. Graph of y = log  x, if a > 1 and x > 0
a
 
2. Graph of y = log  x, if 0 < a < 1 and x > 0
a

 
If the number x and the base ‘a’ are on the same side of the unity, then the logarithm is positive.

 y = log  x, a > 1, x > 1

a
  y = log  x, 0 < a < 1, 0 < x < 1
a

 
If the number x and the base a are on the opposite sides of the unity, then the logarithm is
negative.

 y = log  x, a > 1, 0 < x < 1

a

 y = log  x, 0 < a < 1, x > 1

a
3. Graph of

Graphs are symmetrical about Y-axis.

4. Graph of

Graphs are same in both cases i.e., a > 1 and 0 < a < 1.
5. Graph of
6. Graph of
(where [ . ] denotes the greatest integer function)
Since, when
when
when
so on.
 

Important Shortcuts to Answer Logarithm Problems

1. For a non-negative number ‘a’ and

2. The number of positive integers having base a and characteristic n is
3. Logarithm of zero and negative real number is not defined.
4.
5.
6.
7. Logarithms to the base 10 are called common logarithms (Brigg’s logarithms).
8. If

Practice Problems on Logarithm

Logarithm examples with solutions are given below.
Problem 1: If log 11 = 1.0414, prove that 10  > 11 .
11 10

Solution:
and log11  = 10log11 = 10 × 1.0414 = 10.414
10

It is clear that, 11 > 10.414

⇒
[Since, base = 10]
⇒
Problem 2: If log  (x-2)<log  (x-2), find the interval in which x lies.
2 4

Solution:
Here, x – 2 > 0
⇒ x > 2 ……………… (i)
and
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒ x-2<1
⇒ x < 3 ……………… (ii)
From equations (i) and (ii), we get
Problem 3: If
where,
the value of abc is
(a) 9 (b) 12 (c) 16 (d) 20
Solution:
Option: (c)
=
∴
Hence,
Problem 4: Number of real roots of equation
is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) infinite
Solution: Option (a)
……….(i)
Equation (i) is defined, if x – 4x + 3 > 0
2 

⇒
⇒ x < 1 or x > 3 ……….(ii)
Equation (i) reduces to
∴ x = 2, 3 ……….(iii)
From equations (ii) and (iii), use get
∴ Number of real roots = 0.
Problem 5:  If
and
and
the value of N is
(a) 40 (b) 80 (c) 120 (d) 160
Solution:
Option: (c)
Since,
⇒
∴
Similarly,
and
∴
=
=
=
[given]
On comparing, we have  N = 120
Problem 6:  If a = log  18, b = log  54 then the value of ab +5 (a–b) is
12 24

(a) 0 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) none of these

Solution:
Option: (c)
we have
and
Putting x = log  3, we have
2

.
Problem 7: The value of
is
(a) 3 (b) 0 (c) 2 (d) 1
Solution:
Option: (a)
Set log  12 = a,
2

and
Therefore, the given expression
Problem 8:  The solution of the equation
is
(a) x = 1 (b) x = 4 (c) x = 3 (d) x = e 2

Solution:
Option: (c)
log  log x is meaningful if x > 1
2

Since
So the given equation reduces to
⇒
But for x > 1
log x > 0 so log x = 1 i.e. x = 3.
Problem 9:  If log  (x – 1) < log  (x – 1), then x lies in the interval.
0.5 0.25



(d) (0, 3)

Solution:
log  (x – 1) < log  (x – 1)
0.5 0.25

Problem 10:  If n = 2002 !, evaluate

Solution:
We have,
, Since,
=
=
Problem 11:  If x, y, z > 0 and such that
prove that x  y z  = 1
x y  z

Solution:
Let
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Problem 12:  Solve: log {5 + 4 log  (x – 1)} = 2
3  3

Solution:
Clearly, the given equation is meaningful, if x – 1 > 0 and 5 + 4 log  (x – 1) > 0
3

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
………. (i)
Now,
log {5 + 4 log  (x – 1)} = 2
3  3

⇒
⇒
⇒x–1=3
∴ x=4
Clearly, x = 4 satisfies (i).
Hence, x = 4 is the solution to the given equation.
Problem 13: Solve log  (3  – 8) = 2 – x.
3
x

Solution: Clearly, the given equation is meaningful, if

………. (i)
Now,
log  (3  – 8) = 2 – x
3
x

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
∴x=2
Clearly, 2 > log  8 3

Hence, x = 2 is the solution of the given equation.

Problem 14: Solve: x  = 10x 2 log x 2

Solution:
Clearly, the given equation is meaningful for x > 0.
Now,
x  = 10x
2 log x 2

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Problem 15:  Solve: log  (9-2 ) = 10
2
x log (3-x)

Solution:
We observe that the two sides of the given equation are meaningful, if
9 – 2  > 0 and 3 – x > 0
x

⇒
⇒
x < 3 ………. (i)
Now,
log  (9-2 ) = 10
2
x log (3-x)

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒ y = 8, 1
⇒
⇒ x = 3, 0.
But, x = 3 does no satisfy (i).
Hence, x = 0.
Problem 16:  Solve:
Solution:
The given equation is meaningful for x + 1 > 0 i.e. x > -1
Now,
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
∴ y = 2, -1
⇒
⇒
⇒ x = 99, x = -0.9
Problem 17:  Evaluate
Solution:
Let
Then,
log x = log(72.3) 1/3

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒ x = 4.166
Problem 18:  Evaluate
if log 100.76 = 2.0029.
Solution:
Let
Then,
log x =  log (10076) 1/5

⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒ x = 6.409
Problem 19:  What is logarithm of
Solution:
Here we can write
By using the formula
we can solve it.
Problem 20:  Prove that,
Solution:
By solving we get
and use the formula
Let x = 1.333 ….. (i)
10x = 13.3333 ….. (ii)
From equation (i) and (ii), we get
So
Now
 
Problem 21: If
is
Solution:
Here by using
we can write given expansion as
and then by using
and N = n!.
⇒
Problem 22:  If
then x equals
Solution:
By using
Clearly x > 0. Then the given equation can be written as
Problem 23:  Prove that,
Solution:
By multiplying and dividing by
we will get
Therefore by using
we can easily prove this.
⇒
Example 24: Prove that,
Solution:
Here
can be represented as
Hence, by obtaining the value of y we can prove this.
Let
⇒
⇒
∴
Problem 25: Prove that,
Solution:
As similar to Example 3 we can solve it by using
x = 0.4444 ….. (i)
10x = 4.4444 ….. (ii)
Equation (ii) – Equation (i)
So
Also,
Problem26:  Find the value of
Solution:
We can solve above problem by using
step by step.
⇒
=
Problem 27:  Find the value of,
Solution: Consider
Therefore by using formula
we can write
Hence by solving this we will get the value of x.
Let
Problem 28:  If
such that
then find the value of
and b is a prime number.
Solution:
By using
We can obtain the value of k and then by comparing it to
we can obtain value of a + b.
Given,
Also,
So
Comparing by
Problem 29:
Solution:
Problem 30: In the expansion of
, the coefficient of
is
Solution:
Problem 31:
Solution:
Problem 32: The coefficient of
in the expansion of
is
Solution:
Problem 33:
Solution:
Problem 34:
 
Problem 35:
 
Problem 36:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented logarithms?

John Napier invented logarithms.

Give the product rule of logarithms.

Product rule: loga(mn) = logam + logan.
Give the quotient rule of logarithms.
Quotient rule: loga(m/n) = logam – logan.

Give two applications of logarithms.

Logarithms are used by biologists to find out the population growth rates.
It is also used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.

State the power rule of logarithm.

The logarithm of a quantity in exponential form is equal to the product of exponent and
logarithm of base of the exponential term. i.e. log (xa) = a log x.