BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

NUMBER SYSTEM
Natural Numbers Counting numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,..... are known as natural numbers. The set of all natural
numbers can be represent by N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,....}

Whole Numbers : If we include 0 among the natural numbers, then the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..... are called whole
numbers. The set of whole numbers can be represented by W = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,....}Clearly,
every natural number is a whole number but 0 is a whole number which is not a natural number.

Integers : All counting numbers and their negatives including zero are known as integers. The set of integers
can be represented by Z = {.... –4, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,....}

Remarks
(i) Positive integers  = {1, 2, 3 ....} = N
(ii) Negative integers – = {...., –3, –2, –1}.
(iii) Non-negative integers (whole numbers) = {0, 1, 2, ....}.
(iv) Non-positive integers = {...., –3, –2, –1, 0}.

Even and Odd Numbers

Number which are divisible by 2 are called even numbers.
Numbers which are not divisible by 2 are called odd number.
In general, even numbers can be represented by 2n and odd numbers can be represented by 2n  1.
(where n is an integer)

(i) The sum and product of any number of even numbers is an even number.
(ii) The difference of two even numbers is an even number.
(iii) The sum of odd numbers depends on the number of numbers.
(iv) If the number of numbers is odd, then sum is an odd number.
(v) If the number of numbers is even, then sum is an even number.
(vi) If the product of a certain number is even, then atleast one of the number has to be even.

Prime Numbers : Natural numbers which are divisible by 1 and itself only are called prime numbers.
Let 'p' be a natural number, 'p' is said to be prime if it has exactly two distinct positive
integral factors, namely 1 and itself. e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31 .....

Composite Numbers : Let ‘a’ be a natural number ‘a’ then it is said to be composite if it has atleast 3 distinct
factors, that means ‘a’ has more than two divisors. eg. 4, 6, 8, 9, 10

(i) '1' is neither prime nor composite.

(ii) '2' is the only even prime number.
(iii) '4' is the smallest composite number.
(iv) Natural numbers which are not prime are composite numbers (except 1)

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Co-Prime Numbers : Two natural numbers (not necessarily prime) are called coprime, if there H.C.F
(Highest common factor) is one. e.g. (1, 2), (1, 3), (3, 4), (3, 10), (3, 8), (5, 6), (7, 8)
(15, 16) etc. These numbers are also called as relatively prime numbers.

Twin Prime Numbers : If the difference between two prime numbers is two, then the numbers are called
twin prime numbers. e.g. {3, 5}, {5, 7}, {11, 13}, {17, 19}, {29, 31}

(i) 1 is neither a prime number nor a composite number.

(ii) Numbers which are not prime are composite numbers (except 1).
(iii) '4' is the smallest composite number.
(iv) '2' is the only even prime number.
(v) Two prime number(s) are always co-prime but converse need not be true.
(vi) Consecutive natural numbers are always co-prime numbers.

Rational Numbers (Q) : All the numbers that can be represented in the form p/q, where p and q are integers
and q  0, are called rational numbers. Integers, Fractions, Terminating decimal
numbers, Non-terminating but repeating decimal numbers are all rational numbers.
p 
Q =  : p, q  I and q  0 
 q 

Irrational Numbers (QC) : There are real numbers which can not be expressed in p/q form. Non-Terminating
non repeating decimal numbers are irrational number

e.g. 2, 5, 3, 3 10 ; e,  . e 2.71 is called Napier's constant and  3.14

(i) Integers are rational numbers, but converse need not be true.
(ii) A rational number always exists between two distinct rational numbers, hence infinite rational numbers
exist between two rational numbers.
(iii) Sum of a rational number and an irrational number is an irrational number e.g. 2 + 3
(iv) If a Q and b Q, then ab = rational number, only if a = 0.
(v) Sum, difference, product and quotient of two irrational numbers need not be an irrational number
or we can say, result may be a rational number also.
p
Ex. Express the following rational numbers in the form of , ( where p, q )
q
(i) 0.12 (ii) 1.5 23

Sol. (i) Let x = 0.12 = 0.1222.......

10x = 1. 2 ........(i)
100x = 12. 2 .......(ii)
11
 90x = 11  x= (so x is a rational number)
90

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

(ii) Let x = 1.5 23  10x = 15.23

1000x = 1523 . 23
1508 754
990x = 1508  x= = (so x is a rational number)
990 495

Complex Numbers : A number of the form a + ib is called a complex number, where a,b  R and i = 1 .
Complex number is usually denoted by Z and the set of complex number is
represented by C. Thus C = {a + ib : a, b  R and i = 1 }

(i) N  W    Q  R  C.
(ii) In real numbers if a2 + b2 = 0 then a = 0 = b however in complex numbers, z12 + z22 = 0 does not
imply z1 = z2 = 0.
(iii) Two complex numbers z1 = a1 + ib 1 & z2 = a2 + ib 2 are equal if and only if their real and imaginary parts
are equal respectively
i.e. z1 = z2  Re(z1) = Re(z2) and m (z1) = m (z2).

LCM and HCF

(a) The highest common factor (H.C.F) of two (or more) numbers is the largest number that divides evenly into
both numbers. In other words the H.C.F. is the largest of all the common factors.
The common factors of 12 and 18 are 1, 2, 3 and 6.
The largest common factor is 6. So this is the H.C.F. of 12 and 18.
(b) The Lowest Common Multiple (L.C.M) is the smallest number that is a common multiple of two or more
numbers. The L.C.M of 3 and 5 is 15.
(c) The product of HCF and LCM of two numbers (or expressions) is equal to the product of the numbers.
 a p l  L.C.M . of (a, p, l)
(d) LCM of  , ,  
 b q m  H .C.F . of (b, q, m)
Divisibility Rules
Divisibility
Test
of
2 The digit at the unit place of the number is divisible by 2.

3 The sum of digits of the number is divisible by 3.

4 The last two digits of the number together are divisible by 4.

5 The digit of the number at the unit place is either 0 or 5.

The digit at the unit place of the number is divisible by 2 & the sum of all digits
6
of the number is divisible by 3.
8 The last 3 digits of the number all together are divisible by 8.

9 The sum of all it's digits is divisible by 9.

10 The digit at unit place is 0.

The difference between the sum of the digits at even places and the sum of
11 digits at odd places is 0 or multiple of 11. e.g.1298, 1221, 123321, 12344321,
1234554321, 123456654321

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Ex. Consider a number N = 2 1 P 5 3 Q 4

(i) Find number of ordered pairs (P, Q) so that the number ‘N' is divisible by 9.
(ii) Find number of values of Q so that the number ‘N’ is divisible by 8.
(iii) Find number of ordered pairs (P, Q) so that the number ‘N' is divisible by 44.
Sol. (i) Sum of digits = P + Q + 15
‘N’ is divisible by 9 if P + Q + 15 = 18, 27
 P+Q=3 .....(i)
or P + Q = 12 .....(ii)
P = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
From equation (i)

P  0 , Q  3
P  1 , Q  2 
 No. of ordered pairs is 4 From equation (ii)
P  2 , Q  1
P  3 , Q  0 

P  3 , Q  9
P  4 , Q  8 

........ .........  No. of ordered pairs is 7
,
P8 Q  4

P  9 , Q  3 

Total number of ordered pairs is 11

(ii) N is divisible by 8 if
Q = 0, 4, 8
Number of values of Q is 3
(iii) SO = P + 9
SE = Q + 6
SE – S0 = Q – P – 3
N is divisible by 4 if
Q = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
‘N’ is divisible is 11 if
Q – P – 3 = 0 or multiple of 11
P – Q = –3 .............(i)
or P–Q=8 .............(ii)
From Equation (i) From Equation (ii)
Q = 0, P = –3 (not possible) Q = 0, P=8
Q = 2, P = –1 (not possible) Q = 2, P = 10 (not possible)
Q = 4, P=1 Q = 4, P = 12 (not possible)
Q = 6, P=3 Q = 6, P = 14 (not possible)
Q = 8, P=5 Q = 8, P = 16 (not possible)
 number of ordered pairs is 3  number of ordered pairs is 1
 total number of ordered pairs, so that number ‘N’ is divisible by 44 is 4

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

Some Important Identities

(1) (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b 2 = (a – b)2 + 4ab
(2) (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2 – 4ab
(3) a2 – b 2 = (a + b) (a – b)

(4) (a + b)3 = a3 + b 3 + 3ab (a + b)

(5) (a – b)3 = a3 – b3 – 3ab (a – b)

(6) a3 + b 3 = (a + b)3 – 3ab (a + b) = (a + b) (a2 + b2 – ab)

(7) a3 – b 3 = (a – b)3 + 3ab (a – b) = (a – b) (a2 + b 2 + ab)
1 1 1
(8) (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b 2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca = a2 + b 2 + c2 + 2abc    
a b c
1
(9) a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca = [(a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2]
2
(10) a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca)
1
= (a + b + c) [(a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2]
2
If a + b + c = 0 , then a3 + b 3 + c3 = 3abc
(11) a4 – b4 = (a + b) (a – b) (a2 + b 2)
(12) a4 + a2 + 1 = (a2 + 1)2 – a2 = (1 + a + a2) (1 – a + a2)

Ex. Show that the expression, (x2 – y z)3 + (y2 – z x)3 + (z2 – x y)3 – 3 (x2 – y z) . (y2 – z x).(z2 – x y) is a perfect square
and find its square root.
Sol. (x2 – yz)3 + (y2 – zx)3 + (z2 – xy)3 – 3(x2 – yz) (y2 – zx) (z2 – xy)
= a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc where a = x2 – yz, b = y2 – zx, c = z2 – xy
= (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca)
1
= (a + b + c) ((a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2)
2
1 2 2 2
= (x + y + z – xy – yz – zx)[(x2 – yz – y2 + zx)2 + (y2 – zx – z2 + xy)2 + (z2 – xy – x2 + yz)2]
2
1
= (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx) [{x2 – y2 + z(x – y)}2 + {y2 – z2 + x (y – z)}2 + {z2 –x2 + y (z – x)}2]
2
1 2 2 2
= (x + y + z – xy – yz – zx) (x + y + z)2 [(x – y)2 + (y – z)2 + (z –x)2]
2
= (x + y + z)2 (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)2 = (x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz)2 (which is a perfect square)
its square roots are
(x 3  y3  z3  3xyz )

Remainder Theorem : If a polynomial a1xn + a2xn–1 + a3xn–2 +.....+an is divided by x–p, then the remainder
is obtained by putting x = p in the polynomial.

Factor Theorem : A polynomial a1xn + a2xn–1 + a3xn–2+....+an is divisible by x–p, if the remainder is zero
i.e. if a1pn +a2pn–1+...+an= 0 then x – p will be a factor of polynomial.

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Ex. Show that (x – 3) is a factor of the polynomial x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12.

Sol. Let p(x) = x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12 be the given polynomial. By factor theorem, (x – a) is a factor of a polynomial p(x)
iff p(a) = 0. Therefore, in order to prove that x – 3 is a factor of p(x), it is sufficient to show that p(3) = 0. Now,
p(x) = x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12
 p(3) = 33 – 3 × 32 + 4 × 3 – 12
= 27 – 27 + 12 – 12 = 0
Hence, (x – 3) is a factor of p(x) = x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12.

Ex. The polynomials P(x) = kx3 + 3x2 – 3 and Q(x) = 2x3 – 5x + k, when divided by (x – 4) leave the same remainder.
Find the value of k.
Sol. P(4) = 64k + 48 – 3 = 64k + 45
Q(4) = 128 – 20 + k = k + 108
given P(4) = Q(4)
 64k + 45 = k + 108
 63k = 63  k=1

Ratio and Proportion

a c ab cd ab cd
(a) If  , then :  (componendo);  (dividendo);
b d b d b d
ab cd a b b d
 (componendo and dividendo);  (alternendo);  (invertendo)
a b cd c d a c

1
a c e  n n n n

(b) If    ......, then each ratio =  a  c  e 
b d f b d f 
n n n

Ex. If x : y = 3 : 4, then find the ratio of 7x – 4y : 3x + y

x 3 3
Sol. y
=  4x = 3y or x= y
4 4
3
7 . y  4y
7x  4y 4
Now = 3 (putting the value of x)
3x  y 3. y  y
4
21
y  4y
4 5y 5
= 9 = = i.e. 5 : 13
yy 13y 13
4
Ex. If a, b, c, d, e are in continued proportion, then prove that
(ab + bc + cd + de)2 = (a2 + b 2 + c2 + d 2) (b 2 + c2 + d2 + e2)
a b c d
Sol. If = = = , then we have
b c d e

a b c d (a 2  b 2  c2  d 2 )
= = = = = k (say)
b c d e (b 2  c 2  d 2  e 2 )

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

i.e. a = bk  ab = b 2k
b = ck  bc = c2k
c = dk  cd = d 2k
d = ek  de = e2k
Again (a + b 2 + c2 + d2)
2
= k (b + c2 + d 2 + e2)
2 2
...........(i)
Now L.H.S. = (ab + bc + cd + de)2
= (kb2 + kc2 + kd2 + ke2)2
= k2 (b 2 + c2 + d 2 + e2)2
= k2 (b 2 + c2 + d 2 + e2) (b2 + c2 + d2 + e2)
= (a2 + b 2 + c2 + d 2 ) (b 2 + c2 + d2 + e2) (Note) (use (i))
Hence (ab + bc + cd + de) = (a2 + b 2 + c2 + d 2) (b2 + c2 + d 2 + e2)
2

1 1
 a  b  a  b
Ex. Simplify a   + b  
 2b a   2a b 
Sol. The given expression is equal to
 2b a   2a b   a b 
a   + b   = 2ab    = 2ab
 a  b   a b  a b a  b 

Ex. Evaluate 3  3  2  3  7  48

Sol. 3  3  2  3  7  48 = 3  3  2  3  4  3  2 12

= 3 3  2 3  4  3

= 3 3  4 2 3 = 3  3  3 1 = 42 3 = 3 +1

Surds : If a is a positive rational number, which is not the nth power (n is any natural number) of any rational
number, then the irrational number  n a are called simple surds or monomial surds. Every surd is an
irrational number (but every irrational number is not a surd). So, the representation of monomial surd on
a number line is same that of irrational numbers. Eg.
(a) 3 is a surd and 3 is an irrational number (b) 3
5 is surd and 3
5 is an irrational number
(c)  is an irrational number, but it is not a surd.
3
(d) 3  2 is an irrational number. It is not a surd, because 3  2 is not a rational number..

Laws of Surds
n
(i)  an
 n an  a
(ii) n
a  n b  n ab [Here order should be same]

n a
(iii) anb  n
b
(iv) n m
a  nm a  m n a e.g., 2 82
n p n p
(v) n
a ap or n
am  a mp [Important for changing order of surds]

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Rationalization of Surds : Process of converting surd into rational number is called it’s rationalization. It is
carried out by multiplying surd with an appropriates rationalizing factor.

(i) The conjugate surd of a  b is  ( a  b).

1 ( a  b) ( b  a)
(ii) To rationalize , multiply it by or .
a b ( a  b) ( b  a)

(iii) If a + b =c+ d , then a = c and b = d.

(iv) To find (a  b) write it in the form m  n  2 mn , such that m + n = a and 4 mn = b, then

(a  b)  ( m  n )

(v) a a a....  a

1
1
(vi) 2n
a a a a......n times  a

(vii) If a  a  a  ...  p, then p (p – 1) = a.

(viii) The rationalizing factor of a1/3 + b1/3 is
a2/3 – (ab)1/3 + b2/3.
(ix) The rationalising factor of a1/3 – b1/3 is
a2/3 + (ab)1/3 + b2/3.
(x) The rationalising factor of a  b is a b.

(xi) The rationalising factor of a  b is a b.

(xii) The rationalising factor of a + b is a – b .

Ex. Arrange, 2, 3 3 and 4

5 in ascending order..

Sol. 2, 3 3 and 4
5
L.C.M. of 2, 3, 4 is 12.

 2  26 26  12 64

3
3  34 34  12 81

4
5  43 53  12 125
As, 64 < 81 < 125.

 12
64  12 81  12 125

 23345

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

3 2 2
Ex. If  a  b 2, where a and b are rationals then, find the values of a and b.
3 2
3  2 2 (3  2 2)(3  2)
Sol. L.H.S 
3 2 (3  2)(3  2)

93 2 6 2 4
=
92
13  9 2
=
7
13 9
=  2
7 7
13 9
  2 ab 2
7 7
Equating the rational and irrational parts
13 9
We get a  , b 
7 7
If 'a' is any non zero real or imaginary number and 'm' is the positive integer, then a m = a. a. a. ...a
(m times). Here a is called the base and m is called the index, power or exponent.
x 1 x 1 2y 2
Ex. Prove that :  
x 1  y 1 x 1  y 1 y 2  x 2
x 1 x 1
Sol. 
x 1  y 1 x 1  y 1
1 1 1 1
=  x  x  x x
1 1 1 1 yx yx
 
x y x y xy xy
xy xy xy(y  x)  xy(y  x)
=   c
x(y  x) x(y  x) x(y 2  x 2 )
y(y  x)  y(y  x) y 2  xy  y 2  xy 2y 2
= 2 2 = 2 2
 2
y x y x y  x2
Intervals
The set of numbers any two real numbers is called interval. The following are the types of interval.
I Closed Interval
x  [a, b]  {x : a  x  b}
a b
II Open Interval
x  (a, b) or ]a, b[  {x : a < x < b}
a b
III Semi Open or Semi-Closed Interval
x  [a, b[ or [a, b) = {x : a  x < b}
a b
x  ]a, b] or (a, b] = {x : a < x b}
a b

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Some Function, their Graph and Property

(i) Identity Function : Let R be the set of real numbers. Define the real valued function f : R R by
y = f (x) = x for each x  R. Such a function is called the identity function.

8
6
4
2
x' _8 _6 _ 4 _ 2 x
O
_ 22 4 6 8
_4
_6
_8

y'

f(x) = x

(ii) Constant Function : Define the function f: R R by y = f (x) = c, x  R where c is a constant and each
x  R. Here domain of f is R and its range is {c}. The graph is a line parallel to x-axis.

f(x) = 3

(iii) The Modulus Function : The function f: R R defined by f(x) = |x| for each x  R is called modulus
function. For each non-negative value of x, f(x) is equal to x. But for
negative values of x, the value of f(x) is the negative of the value of x, i.e.,

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

8
6
4
2
_8 _6 _4 _2 x
O_ 2 4 6 8
2
_4
_6
_8

y
f(x) = |x|

Properties of Modulus Functions

(A) If a, b are positive real numbers, then
x2  a2  | x |  a  – a  x  a
x2  a2  | x |  a  x  – a or, x  a
x2 < a2 | x | < a  – a < x < a
x2 > a2 | x | > a  x < – a or, x > a
a2  x2  b2 a  | x |  b  x  [–b, –a]  [a, b]
a2 < x2 < b2  a < | x | < b  (–b, –a)  (a, b)
(B) For real numbers x and y, we have
|x + y| = | x | + | y |, if (x  0 and y  0) or, (x, < 0 and y < 0)
|x – y| = | x | – | y |, if (x  0 and | x |  | y |) or, (x  0, y  0 and | x |  | y |)

|x  y|  | x | + | y | |x  y| > | x |  | y |

(iv) Greatest Integer Function : The function f: R R defined by f(x) = [x], x  R assumes the value of the
greatest integer, less than or equal to x. Such a function is called the
greatest integer function. From the definition of [x], we can see that

[x] = –1 for –1  x < 0 [x] = 0 for 0  x < 1 [x] = 1 for 1  x < 2

[x] = 2 for 2  x < 3 and So on.
y

3
2
1
x' _ _ _ _ x
4 3 2 1 _ 11 2 3 4
_2
_3

y'

11
MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

| x |
 , x0  1 x  0
(v) Signum Function : The function of f defined by f (x)   x or, f (x)   0 x  0 is called the
 0, x  0  1 x  0

signum function.
The domain of the signum function is the set R of all real numbers and the range is the set {–1, 0, 1}
The graph of the signum function is as shown in Fig.
y

(0, 1)
x' x
_1 _2 _3 _4 O 1 2 3 4
(0, –1)

y'
Formulas for Perimeter, Area, Surface, Volume

Shapes Formulas
Rectangle

W Area = Length × Width

A = LW
L
Perimeter = 2 × Lengths + 2 × Widths
P = 2L + 2W
Parallelogram

a Area = Base X Height

h
A
A = bh
b Perimeter = add the length of all sides
P = 2a + 2b
Triangle
Area = 1/2 of the base × the height
a c
H Heron"s Formula for Area = (s(s  a)(s  b)(s  c))
s = (a + b + c) / 2
Perimeter = a + b + c
(add the length of the three sides)
b1 Trapezoid
a c
a h  b1  b2 
Area = 1/2 of the base × the height A =  h
 2 
b2
Perimeter = add lengths of all sides
P = a + b1 + b2 + c

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

Circle
Radius = the distance from the center
to a point on the circle (r).
Diameter = the distance between two points on the circle through
r
d the center (d = 2r).
Circumference = the distance around the circle (C = d = 2r).
(Assume   3.14)
Area = r2
Rectangular Solid

H Volume = Length × Width × Height

V = LWH
W Surface = 2LW + 2LH + 2WH
L
Prisms
Volume = Base × Height
ah V = bh
b Surface = 2b + Ph (b is the area of the base P is the perimeter of
the base)
Cylinder
r
Volume = r2 × height
Ah V = r2 h
Surface = 2 radius × height
S = 2rh + 2r2
Pyramid

1
Volume = 1/3 area of the base × height V = bh
3
a h
b is the area of the base
Surface Area : Add the area of the base to the sum of the
areas of all of the triangular faces. The areas of the triangular
faces will have different formulas for different shaped bases.
Cones

1 2
Volume = 1/3 area of the base  height V = r h
3
s
a h Surface
r S = r2 + rs

= r2 + r r 2  h 2

4 3
r Sphere Volume V = r
3

Surface S = 4r2

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Polygon E
A plane figure enclosed by line segments (sides of polygon).
(a) n sides polygon have n sides : Triangle and quadrilaterals are polygon of three F D

and four sides respectively. The polygons having 5 to 10 sides are called, C
A
PENTAGON, HEXAGON, HEPTAGON, OCTAGON, NANOGON and DECAGON B
respectively.
(b) Regular polygon : Polygon which has all equal sides and equal angles and can be inscribed in a circle
whose center coincides with the center of polygon. Therefore the center is equidistant from all its vertices.
(i) A regular polygon can also circumscribe a circle.
(ii) A ‘n’ sided regular polygon can be divided into ‘n’ Isosceles
Congruent Triangles with a common vertex i.e. centre of polygon.
1
(iii) Area = n ×   × a × h
 2
(iv) Perimeter = na a
 n  2
(v) Each interior angle of polygon =  × 180°
 n 
(vi) Angle subtended at the centre of inscribed/circumscribed circle by one side = 360°/n
o
 360 
(vii) Each exterior angle =  
n 
(viii) Sum of all interior angle = (n – 2) × 180°
(ix) Sum of all exterior angles = 360°
(x) Convex polygon : If any two consecutive vertices are joined then remaining all other vertices will lie on
same side.

Some Facts about Inequalities

The following are some very useful points to remember.
1. a  b  either a < b or a = b
2. a < b and b < c  a < c
3. a < b  – a > – b, i.e., the inequality sign reverses if both sides are multiplied by a negative number
4. a < b and c < d a + c < b + d and a – d < b – c
5. a < b  ka < kb if k > 0, and ka > kb if k < 0
6. 0 < a < b ar < br of r > 0, and ar > br if r < 0
1
7. a +  2 for a > 0 and equality holds for a = 1
a
1
8. a +  –2 for a < 0 and eqaulity holds for a = – 1
a
1 1
9. If a > 2  0 < 
x 2
1 1
10. If x < – 3 –  0
3 x

14
 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

11. If x < 2, then we must consider –  < x < 0 or 0 < x < 2

12. Squaring an inequality :

If a < b, then a2 < b2 does not follow always

Consider the following illustrations :
(a) 2 < 3  4 < 9, but – 4 < 3  16 > 9
(b) Also, x > 2  x2 > 4, but x < 2  x2  0

(c) 2 < x < 4  4 < x2 < 16

(d) –2 < x < 4  0  x2 < 16
(e) –5 < x < 4  0  x2 < 25

Generalized Method of Intervals

Let F(x) = (x  a1 ) k1 (x  a 2 ) k 2 ....(x  a n 1 ) k n 1 (x  a n ) k n . Here, k1, k2, ... kn  Z and a1, a2, ...., an are fixed real number
satisfying the condition
a1 < a2 < a3 < .... < an–1 < an
* For solving F(x) > 0 or F(x) < 0, consider the following algorithm :
We mark the numbers a1, a2, ..., an on the number axis and put sign in the interval on the right of the largest
of these numbers, i.e., on the right of an.
* Then we put plus sign in the interval on the left of an if kn is an even number and minus sign if kn is an odd
number. In the next interval, we put a sign according to the following rule :
 When passing through the point an–1, the polynomial F(x) changes sign if kn–1 is an odd number.
Then we consider the next interval and put a sign in it using the same rule.
* Thus, we consider all the intervals. The solution of the inequality F(x) > 0 is the union of all intervals in
which we put plus sign and the solution of the inequality F(x) < 0 is the union of all intervals in which we
put minus sign.

Frequently Used Inequalities

1. (x – a)(x – b) < 0  x  (a, b) where a < b
2. (x – a)(x – b) > 0  x  (–, a) (b, ), where a < b
3. x2  a2  x  [–a, a]
4. x2  a2  x  (–, a] [a, ]
5. ax2 + bx + c < 0, (a > 0)  x (), where  ( < ) are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0
6. ax2 + bx + c > 0, (a > 0)  x  (–)(), where ) are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0

Ex. Solve (2x + 1) (x – 3) (x + 7)  0

Sol. (2x + 1) (x – 3) (x + 7) < 0
The sign scheme of (2x + 1)(x – 3)(x + 7) is as follows :
– + – +
–7 –1/2 3
Hence, the solution is (–, –7)  (–1/2, 3).

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

2
Ex. Solve <3
x
2
Sol. <3
x
2
or –3<0 (We cannot cross multiply with x, as x can be negative or positive)
x
2  3x
or 0
x
3x  2
or 0
x
(x  2 / 3)
or 0
x
(x  2 / 3)
The sign scheme of is as follows :
x
+ – +
0 2/3
 x (– , 0) (2/3, )

Exponential Function
A function f(x) = ax = ex In a (a > 0, a  1, x  R) is called an exponential function. Graph of exponential function
can be as follows :
* Domain : R
* Range : (0, )
* Nature : Non-periodic, one-one, neither odd nor even
* Monotonically increasing, wher a > 0
* Monotonically decreasing, when 0 < a < 1

Case -  Case - 
For a > 1 For 0 < a < 1
f(x) f(x)

(0, 1)
(0, 1)
x x
0 0

Definition of Logarithm
If a is a positive real number, other than 1 and x is a rational number such that ax = N, then we say that
logarithm of N to base a is x or x is the logarithm of N to base a, written as loga N = x,
Thus, ax = N  loga N = x .
* Domain : (0, )
* Range : (–, )
* Period : Non-periodic
* Nature : Neither odd nor even
Limitations of Logarithm: logaN is defined only when
(i) N > 0 (ii) a > 0 (iii) a  1

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 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

(i) For a given value of N, logaN will give us a unique value.

(ii) Logarithm of zero does not exist.
(iii) Logarithm of negative reals are not defined in the system of real numbers.

Ex. Find the values of each of the following

(i) log9 81 (ii) log10 0.0001
Sol. (i) Let log9 81 = x. Then
log9 81 = x
 9x = 81
 9x = 92  x=2
(ii) Let log10 0.0001 = x .
Then, log10 0.0001 = x
 10x = 0.0001

 10x = 1
10000

Logarithm of A Number
The logarithm of the number N to the base 'a' is the exponent indicating the power to which the base 'a'
must be raised to obtain the number N. This number is designated as loga N.

Hence : logaN = x  ax = N , a > 0 , a  1 & N > 0

If a = 10 , then we write log b rather than log10 b .
If a = e , we write ln b rather than loge b .
The existence and uniqueness of the number loga N follows from the properties of an exponential functions.
From the definition of the logarithm of the number N to the base 'a' , we have an identity :
a loga N = N , a > 0, a  1 & N > 0

This is known as the Fundamental Logarithmic Identity .

loga1 = 0 (a > 0 , a  1)

loga a = 1 (a > 0 , a  1) and log1/a a = – 1 (a > 0 , a  1)

log10 2 = 0.3010, log10 3 = 0.4771, ln 2 = 0.693, ln 10 = 2.3030

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Ex. If log3 y = x and log2 z = x, find 72x in terms of y and z.

Sol. We have, log3 y = x and log2 z = x

 y = 3x and z = 2x

Now, 72x = (23 × 32)x

= (23)x × (32)x  23x . 32x

= (2x)3(3x)2

= (z)3(y)2

= y2z3.
p4q 4
Ex. If log5p = a and log2q = a, then prove that = 1002a–1
100
Sol. log5p = a
 p = 5a log2q = a  q = 2a
p4q4 5 4 a.2 4 a (10) 4 a (100) 2 a
     100 2 a 1
100 100 100 100

System of Logarithm
There are two systems of logarithm which are generally used.
I. Common Logarithms : In this system the base is always taken as 10.
II. Natural Logarithm : In this system the base of the logarithm is taken as e, where e is an irrational number
lying between 2 and 3.

Fundamental Laws of Logarithm

Let M & N are arbitrary positive numbers , a > 0 , a  1 , b > 0 , b  1 and  is any real number then ;
(i) loga (M . N) = loga M + loga N (ii) loga (M/N) = loga M  loga N

log a M
(iii) loga Mb = b . loga M (iv) logb M = (base changing theorem)
log a b
1
(v) loga b m = log a m (vi) a logb c = clogb a
b
b  x  y, if a  1
(vii) log x a y b  log x y (viii) loga x > loga y  
a  x  y, if 0  a 1

x  a y , if a  1
(ix) If loga x > y   y
 x  a , if 0  a  1

(i) logba . logab = 1  logba = 1/logab. (ii) logba . logcb . logac = 1

x
(iii) logy x . logz y . loga z = logax. (iv) eln a = ax
(iv) logea = 2.303 log10 a (v) log10a = 0.434 logea

18
 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

Graph of Logarithmic Function

Graph of y = logax

y y

(1,0)
O (1,0) x O x

When a > 1 When 0 < a < 1

(i) If base of logarithm is greater than 1 then logarithm of greater number is greater. i.e. log28 = 3,
log24 = 2 etc. and if base of logarithm is between 0 and 1 then logarithm of greater number is smaller.
i.e. log1/28 = –3, log1/24 = –2 etc.
(ii) It must be noted that whenever the number and the base are on the same side of unity then logarithm
of that number to that base is positive, however if the number and the base are located on different
side of unity then logarithm of that number to that base is negative.

1 1
e.g. log10 3 10 
1;
log 7
49  4 ; log 1    3 ; log 2    5; log10(0.001) = –3
3 2  8  32
 

1 1
(iii) x   2 if x is positive real number and x   2 if x is negative real number
x x

(iv) n  2, n  N n
a  a 1 / n  nth root of 'a' ('a' is a non negative number)

Logarithmic Equations
In this section, we shall learn about the methods of solving logarithmic equations which are most often used.
In solving logarithmic equations, we first find set of values of variable(s) for which the given equation is meaningful
and then it is solved by using laws of logarithms studied in the previous section.
The equality loga x = loga y is possible if and only if x = y i.e.

loga x = loga y x = y

Always check validity of given equation, (x > 0, y > 0, a > 0, a  1)

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Ex. log3(x + 1) + log3 (x + 3) = 1

Sol. Domain : x + 1 > 0
x+3>0
log3(x + 1) (x + 3) = 1
log3 (x2 + 4x + 3) = 1
x2 + 4x + 3 = 3  x = 0, –4 (not in domain)
x=0

Ex. Find the values of x in each of the following :

3
(i) log2 x = 3 (ii) log81 x =
2
Sol. (i) log2 x = 3  x = (81)3/2

3
(ii) log81 x =  x = (34)3/2
2
 x = 36 = 729
Ex. logx (2 – x) = 2
Sol. logx (2 – x) = 2
 2 – x = x2
 x2 + x – 2 = 0
x = – 2, 1
But not satisfied the domain therefore no solution.

Standard Form of a Number

Standard form is a way of writing down very large or very small number easily. We can express a positive number
in decimal form as the product of an integral power of 10 and a number between 1 to 10. That is any quality
number n in decimal form is written as  n = m × 10p where p is an integer and 1  m  10.

Ex. Express 35. 7 in the standard form of decimal.

Sol. Since 35.7 lies between 10 and 100. So, we write
35.7
35.7 = 10 = 3.57 × 101.
10
Characteristic and Mantissa
Let n be a positive real number and let m × 10p be the standard of n. Then, n = m × 10p where p is an integer
and m is a real number between 1 and 10, i.e,. 1  m  10

 log n = log(m × 10p)

= logm + log10p
= logm + plog10
= p + logm [ log 10 = log10 10 = 1]

20
 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

Here p is an integer and 1  m < 10

now, 1  m < 10
 log1  logm < log10
 0  log m < 1
Thus, the logarithm of positive real number n consists of two parts :
(i) The integral part p, which is an integer : positive, negative or zero, and
(ii) The decimal part log m, which is a real number between 0 and 1.
For any given number N, logarithm can be expressed as logaN = Integer + Fraction
The integer part is called characteristic and the fractional part is called mantissa. When the value of log n is
given, then to find digits of 'n' we use only the mantissa part. The characteristic is used only in determining
the number of digits in the integral part (if n  1) or the number of zeros after decimal & before first non-zero
digit in the number (if 0 < n < 1).

(i) The mantissa part of logarithm of a number is always positive (0  m < 1)

(ii) If the characteristic of log10N be n, then the number of digits in N is (n + 1)
(iii) If the characteristic of log10N be (–n), then there exist (n – 1) zeros after decimal in N.

Ex. Write the characteristic of the logarithms of 2315.4 by using standard form :
Sol. 2315.4 = 2.3154 × 103 (Standard form)
characteristic = 3

Ex. Write the characteristic of the logarithms of 2315.4 without using standard form :
Sol. 2315.4
Number of digit to the left of the Decimal point = 4
So characteristic = 3

Ex. Find the total number of digits in the number 6 100 .

(Given log102 = 0.3010 ; log103 = 0.4771)
Sol. N = 6 100
log10N = 100log106 = 10 (0.3010 + .4771) = 77.8
Characteristic = [log10N]
No. of digits = 77 + 1 = 78

Antilogarithm
The positive real number 'n' is called the antilogarithm of a number 'm' if log n = m
Thus, log n = m  n = antilog m

Ex. (i) log 100 = 2  antilog 2 = 100

(ii) log 431.5 = 2.6350  antilog (2.6350) = 431.5

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MATHS FOR JEE MAINS & ADVANCED

Some Important Identities

(1) (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b 2 = (a – b)2 + 4ab

(2) (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b 2 = (a + b)2 – 4ab
(3) a2 – b 2 = (a + b) (a – b)
(4) (a + b)3 = a3 + b 3 + 3ab (a + b)
(5) (a – b)3 = a3 – b3 – 3ab (a – b)
(6) a3 + b 3 = (a + b)3 – 3ab (a + b) = (a + b) (a2 + b 2 – ab)
(7) a3 – b 3 = (a – b)3 + 3ab (a – b) = (a – b) (a2 + b 2 + ab)
1 1 1
(8) (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b 2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca = a2 + b 2 + c2 + 2abc    
a b c
1
(9) a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca = [(a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2]
2

(10) a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca)

1
= (a + b + c) [(a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2]
2
If a + b + c = 0 , then a3 + b 3 + c3 = 3abc
(11) a4 – b4 = (a + b) (a – b) (a2 + b 2)

(12) a4 + a2 + 1 = (a2 + 1)2 – a2 = (1 + a + a2) (1 – a + a2)

Frequently Used Inequalities

1. (x – a)(x – b) < 0  x  (a, b) where a < b
2. (x – a)(x – b) > 0  x  (–, a) (b, ), where a < b
3. x2  a2  x  [–a, a]
4. x2  a2  x  (–, a] [a, ]
5. ax2 + bx + c < 0, (a > 0)  x (), where  ( < ) are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0
6. ax2 + bx + c > 0, (a > 0)  x  (–)(), where ) are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0

logarithm of a number
The logarithm of the number N to the base ‘a’ is the exponent indicating the power to which the base ‘a’ must be
raised to obtain the number N. This number is designated as loga N.

(a) logaN = x, read as log of N to the base a  ax = N

If a = 10 then we write log N or log10N and if a = e we write
ln N or logeN (Natural log)
(b) Necessary conditions : N > 0 ; a > 0 ; a  1
(c) loga1 = 0 (d) logaa = 1

22
 BASIC MATHS & LOGARITHM

(e) log1/a a = – 1 (f) loga(x.y) = logax + logay ; x, y > 0

x
(g) loga   = logax – logay ; x , y > 0 (h) loga xp = ploga x ; x > 0
y

1 1
(i) log aq x = logax ; x > 0 (j) loga x = ; x > 0, x  1
q log x a

(k) loga x = logbx/logba ; x > 0, a, b > 0, b  1, a  1

(l) logab. logbc. logcd = logad ; a, b, c, d > 0,  1
(m) a loga x = x; a > 0 , a  1
(n) a logb c = c logb a ; a, b, c > 0 ; b  1

xy if a  1
(o) logax < logay   x  y if 0  a  1


(p) logax = logay  x=y;x,y>0;a>0,a  1

x x
(q) e ln a = a
(r) log102 = 0.03010 ; log103 = 0.4771 ; n2 = 0.693, n10 = 2.303
(s) If a > 1 then logax < p  0 < x < ap
(t) If a > 1 then logax > p  x > ap
(u) If 0 < a < 1 then loga x < p  x > ap
(v) If 0 < a < 1 then logax > p  0 < x < ap

Antilogarithm
The positive real number 'n' is called the antilogarithm of a number 'm' if log n = m
Thus, log n = m  n = antilog m

23