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Indices and Logarithms

The document covers the concepts of indices and logarithms, detailing their definitions, rules, and applications. It explains how to simplify expressions using indices and solve equations involving logarithms, providing examples and practice questions. Additionally, it discusses the significance of logarithms in various mathematical and economic contexts.

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9 views

Indices and Logarithms

The document covers the concepts of indices and logarithms, detailing their definitions, rules, and applications. It explains how to simplify expressions using indices and solve equations involving logarithms, providing examples and practice questions. Additionally, it discusses the significance of logarithms in various mathematical and economic contexts.

Uploaded by

incredibleinsight0
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
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Topic 4: Indices and Logarithms

Lecture Notes:
section 3.1 Indices
section 3.2 Logarithms

Jacques Text Book (edition 4):


section 2.3 & 2.4 Indices & Logarithms
INDICES

Any expression written as an is defined


as the variable a raised to the power of
the number n

n is called a power, an index or an


exponent of a

e.g. where n is a positive whole number,

a1 = a
a =a×a
2

a =a×a×a
3

an = a × a × a × a……n times
Indices satisfy the following rules:

1) where n is positive whole number


an = a × a × a × a……n times
e.g. 23 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8

2) Negative powers…..
1
-n
a = an
1
e.g. a-2 = a 2

e.g. where a = 2
1 1 1
-1 -2 =
2 = 2 or 2 = 2 × 2 4
3) A Zero power
a0 = 1
e.g. 80 = 1

4) A Fractional power
1
a =n a
n

e.g. 9 =2 9 = 9 =3
2

1
83 =38=2
All indices satisfy the following rules
in mathematical applications

Rule 1

am. an = am+n

2 3 5
e.g. 2 . 2 = 2 = 32
Rule 2
am
an = am - n
23
e.g. 2 2 = 23-2 = 21 = 2

________________________________
note: if m = n,
am m–n 0
then a n = a =a =1
________________________________
m
a
m – (-n) m+n
note: a − n = a =a
________________________________
−m
a 1
-m – n
note: n == am+n
a a
_________________________________
Rule 3
(am)n = am.n
e.g. (23)2 = 26 = 64

Rule 4
an. bn = (ab)n
e.g. 3 × 4 = (3×4) = 12 = 144
2 2 2 2

Likewise,
n n
a ⎛a⎞
n = ⎜ ⎟
if b≠0
b ⎝b⎠
e.g.
2
⎛6⎞
2
6
= ⎜ ⎟ = 2 2
= 4
⎝3⎠
2
3
Simplify the following using the above
Rules:

1) b = x1/4 × x3/4
2) b = x2 ÷ x3/2
3) b = (x3/4)8
x 2y 3
4) b = x 4 y
LOGARITHMS
A Logarithm is a mirror image of an
index
n
If m = b then logbm = n
The log of m to base b is n

If y = xn then n = logx y
The log of y to the base x is n

e.g.
3
1000 = 10 then 3 = log10 1000

0.01 = 10-2 then –2 = log10 0.01


Evaluate the following:
1) x = log39
the log of m to base b = n then m = bn
the log of 9 to base 3 = x then

Ö 9=3 x

Ö 9=3×3=3 2

Ö x=2

2) x = log42
the log of m to base b = n then m = bn
the log of 2 to base 4 = x then

Ö 2=4 x

Ö 2 = √4 = 41/2
Ö x = 1/2
Using Rules of Indices, the following
rules of logs apply

1) logb(x × y) = logb x + logb y


eg. log10 (2 × 3) = log10 2 + log10 3

⎛ x ⎞
⎜ ⎟
2) log b ⎜⎝ y ⎟⎠ = logb x – logb y
⎛3⎞
log 10 ⎜ ⎟ = log 10 3 − log 10 2
eg. ⎝2⎠

3) logb xm = m. logb x
e.g. log10 3 2
= 2 log10 3
From the aboverules, it follows that

(1) logb 1 = 0
(since => 1 = bx, hence x must=0)
e.g. log101=0

and therefore,
logb (1x ) = - logb x
e.g. log10 (1/3) = - log103

(2) logb b = 1
(since => b = bx, hence x must = 1)
e.g. log10 10 = 1

(3) logb ( )
n 1
x = n logb x
A Note of Caution:

• All logs must be to the same base in


applying the rules and solving for
values
• The most common base for
logarithms are logs to the base 10, or
logs to the base e (e = 2.718281…)
• Logs to the base e are called Natural
Logarithms
logex = ln x

If y = exp(x) = ex
Then loge y = x or ln y = x
Features of y = ex
• non-linear
• always positive
• as ↑ x get ↑ y and ↑ slope of graph (gets
steeper)
8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00
x
y=e

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00
0 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2

x
Logs can be used to solve algebraic
equations where the unknown variable
appears as a power
An Example : Find the value of x

200(1.1)x = 20000

Simplify

divide across by 200

Ö (1.1)x = 100

1. to find x, rewrite equation so that it is


no longer a power

Ö Take logs of both sides

Ö log(1.1)x = log(100)

Ö rule 3 => x.log(1.1) = log(100)


2. Solve for x

log(100)
x = log(1.1)

no matter what base we evaluate the logs,


providing the same base is applied both to
the top and bottom of the equation

3. Find the value of x by evaluating logs


using (for example) base 10

log(100) 2
x = log(1.1) = 0.0414 = 48.32

4. Check the solution

200(1.1)x = 20000

200(1.1)48.32 = 20004
Another Example: Find the value of x

5x = 2(3)x

1. rewrite equation so x is not a power


Ö Take logs of both sides
Ö log(5x) = log(2×3x)

Ö rule 1 => log 5x = log 2 + log 3x

Ö rule 3 => x.log 5 = log 2 + x.log 3

2. Solve for x

x [log 5 – log 3] = log 2

x[log ⎛⎜ 3 ⎞⎟ ] = log 2
5
rule 2 =>
⎝ ⎠

log( 2 )
x = log( 5 )
3
3. Find the value of x by evaluating logs
using (for example) base 10

log( 2 ) 0.30103
x = log( 5 ) = 0.2219 = 1.36
3

4. Check the solution

5x = 2(3)x ⇒ 51.36 = 2(3)1.36 ⇒ 8.92


An Economics Example 1

Y= f(K, L) = A KαLβ

Y*= f(λK, λL) = A (λK)α( λL)β

Y*= A KαLβλα λ β = Yλα+β

α+β = 1 Constant Returns to Scale


α+β > 1 Increasing Returns to Scale
α+β < 1 Decreasing Returns to Scale

Homogeneous of Degree r if:


f(λX, λZ ) = λr f(X, Z) = λr Y
Homogenous function if by scaling all
variables by λ, can write Y in terms of λr
An Economics Example 2
National Income = £30,000 mill in 1964.
It grows at 4% p.a.
Y = income (units of £10,000 mill)
1964: Y=3
1965: Y = 3(1.04)
1966: Y = 3(1.04)2
1984: Y = 3(1.04)20
Compute directly using calculator or
Express in terms of logs and solve

1984: logY = log{3×(1.04)20}


20
logY = log3 + log{(1.04) }
logY = log3 + 20.log(1.04)
evaluate to the base 10
logY = 0.47712 + 20(0.01703)
logY = 0.817788
Find the anti-log of the solution:
Y = 6.5733
In 1984, Y = £65733 mill
Topic 3: Rules of Indices and Logs
Some Practice Questions:

1. Use the rules of indices to simplify each of


the following and where possible evaluate:
35.32
(i) 36

54.6 −2
(ii) 52

x 6 . x −2
(iii) x

(iv) (4x ) 3 2

xy 2
(v) x2
15x 6
(vi) 3x 4 5 x 2
2. Solve the following equations:
(i) log 4 64 = x
⎛ 1 ⎞
(ii) log3 ⎜ ⎟ = x
⎝ 27 ⎠

(iii) x = 4 ln 10

(iv) 5 x
= 25
(v) 4e x = 100
2 x −1
(vi) e = 100

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