7/25/24, 11:25 PM Logarithms - Definition, Rules, Properties, and Examples

History
John Napier introduced the concept of Logarithms in the 17th century. Later it was used by
many scientists, navigators, engineers, etc for performing various calculations which made it
simple. In simple words, Logarithms are the inverse process of exponentiation.

What are Logarithms?

A logarithm is defined as the power to which a number must be raised to get some other
values. It is the most convenient way to express large numbers
(https://byjus.com/maths/introduction-to-large-numbers/). A logarithm has various
important properties that prove multiplication and division of logarithms can also be written in
the form of logarithm of addition and subtraction.

“The logarithm of a positive real number a with respect to base b, a positive real number not
equal to 1[nb 1], is the exponent by which b must be raised to yield a”.

i.e. by= a ⇔logba=y

Where,

“a” and “b” are two positive real numbers

y is a real number

“a” is called argument, which is inside the log

“b” is called the base, which is at the bottom of the log.

In other words, the logarithm gives the answer to the question “How many times a number is
multiplied to get the other number?”.

For example, how many 3’s are multiplied to get the answer 27?

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7/25/24, 11:25 PM Logarithms - Definition, Rules, Properties, and Examples

If we multiply 3 for 3 times, we get the answer 27.

Therefore, the logarithm is 3.

The logarithm form is written as follows:

Log3 (27) = 3 ….(1)

Therefore, the base 3 logarithm of 27 is 3.

The above logarithm form can also be written as:

3x3x3 = 27

33 = 27 …..(2)

Thus, the equations (1) and (2) both represent the same meaning.

Below are some of the examples of conversion from exponential forms to logarithms.

Exponents Logarithms

62 = 36 Log6 36 = 2

102 = 100 Log10 100 = 2

33 = 27 Log3 27 = 3

Logarithm Types
In most cases, we always deal with two different types of logarithms, namely

Common Logarithm

Natural Logarithm

Common Logarithm
The common logarithm is also called the base 10 logarithms. It is represented as log10 or simply
log. For example, the common logarithm of 1000 is written as a log (1000). The common
logarithm defines how many times we have to multiply the number 10, to get the required
output.

For example, log (100) = 2

If we multiply the number 10 twice, we get the result 100.

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7/25/24, 11:25 PM Logarithms - Definition, Rules, Properties, and Examples

Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm is called the base e logarithm. The natural logarithm is represented as ln
or loge. Here, “e” represents the Euler’s constant which is approximately equal to 2.71828. For
example, the natural logarithm of 78 is written as ln 78. The natural logarithm defines how many
we have to multiply “e” to get the required output.

For example, ln (78) = 4.357.

Thus, the base e logarithm of 78 is equal to 4.357.

Logarithm Rules and Properties

There are certain rules based on which logarithmic operations can be performed. The names of
these rules are:

Product rule

Division rule

Power rule/Exponential Rule

Change of base rule

Base switch rule

Derivative of log

Integral of log

Let us have a look at each of these properties one by one

Product Rule
In this rule, the multiplication of two logarithmic values is equal to the addition of their individual
logarithms.

Logb (mn)= logb m + logb n

For example: log3 ( 2y ) = log3 (2) + log3 (y)

Division Rule
The division of two logarithmic values is equal to the difference of each logarithm.

Logb (m/n)= logb m – logb n

For example, log3 ( 2/ y ) = log3 (2) -log3 (y)

Exponential Rule
In the exponential rule, the logarithm of m with a rational exponent is equal to the exponent
times its logarithm.

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7/25/24, 11:25 PM Logarithms - Definition, Rules, Properties, and Examples

Logb (mn) = n logb m

Example: logb(23) = 3 logb 2

Change of Base Rule

Logb m = loga m/ loga b

Example: logb 2 = loga 2/loga b

Base Switch Rule

logb (a) = 1 / loga (b)

Example: logb 8 = 1/log8 b

Derivative of log
If f (x) = logb (x), then the derivative of f(x) is given by;

f'(x) = 1/(x ln(b))

Example: Given, f (x) = log10 (x)

Then, f'(x) = 1/(x ln(10))

Integral of Log
∫logb(x)dx = x( logb(x) – 1/ln(b) ) + C

Example: ∫ log10(x) dx = x ∙ ( log10(x) – 1 / ln(10) ) + C

Other Properties
Some other properties of logarithmic functions are:

Logb b = 1

Logb 1 = 0

Logb 0 = undefined

Logarithmic Formulas
logb(mn) = logb(m) + logb(n)

logb(m/n) = logb (m) – logb (n)

Logb (xy) = y logb(x)

Logbm√n = logb n/m

m logb(x) + n logb(y) = logb(xmyn)

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7/25/24, 11:25 PM Logarithms - Definition, Rules, Properties, and Examples

logb(m+n) = logb m + logb(1+nm)

logb(m – n) = logb m + logb (1-n/m)

Also check:

Logarithm Table (https://byjus.com/maths/logarithm-table/)

Logarithmic Differentiation (https://byjus.com/maths/logarithmic-differentiation/)

Difference Between Log and Ln (https://byjus.com/maths/difference-between-ln-and-

log/)

Antilog Table (https://byjus.com/maths/antilog-table/)

Logarithms Examples
Example 1:

Solve log 2 (64) =?

Solution:

since 26= 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64, 6 is the exponent value and log 2 (64)= 6.

Example 2:

What is the value of log10(100)?

Solution:

In this case, 102 yields you 100. So, 2 is the exponent value, and the value of log10(100)= 2

Example 3:

Use of the property of logarithms, solve for the value of x for log3 x= log3 4+ log3 7

Solution:

By the addition rule, log3 4+ log3 7= log 3 (4 * 7 )

Log 3 ( 28 ). Thus, x= 28.

Example 4:

Solve for x in log2 x = 5

Solution:

This logarithmic function can be written In the exponential form as 25 = x

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