Online Lessons: 0774 031 978 Exam Cheat Code: Maths 3

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Online Lessons: 0774 031 978 Exam Cheat Code: Maths 3

Logarithms

The logarithm of a number is the power to which a base number must be raised to
produce that number.

Converting Logarithmic form to index form

The logarithmic form: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 = 𝒚

The index form: 𝒙 = 𝒃𝒚

Steps to convert:

1. Write the logarithmic equation in the form 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 = 𝒚

2. Rewrite the equation in index form by raising the base (b) to the power of y: 𝒙 =
𝒃𝒚

Examples:

Convert to index form;

a) 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 = 𝟑

Solution

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 = 𝟑 in index form we raise the base (2) to the power of 3: 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟑

b) 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 = 𝟎. 𝟓

Solution
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 = 𝟎. 𝟔

If the base is not stated, then the base becomes 10 by default.

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 = 𝟎. 𝟔 is the same as 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟒 = 𝟎. 𝟔

In index form we raise the base (10) to the power of 0.5: 𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎.𝟔

Important points:

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 = 𝒚 becomes 𝒙 = 𝒃𝒚 in index form.

The base of the logarithmic form becomes the base in the index form.

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Example 1
Evaluate without using a calculator: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖

Solution:
1. Let x be the value of 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖
log 2 8 = 𝑥

2. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.

log 2 8 = 𝑥

8 = 2𝑥 (In index form we raise the base (2) to the power of x)

3. Express both base to the powers of base 2

8 = 2𝑥
23 = 2𝑥 (8 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 23 )

4. Equate the powers:

23 = 2𝑥
3=𝑥
𝒙=𝟑

Example 2
Evaluate without using a calculator: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟗 𝟐𝟕

Solution:
1. Let the unknown x be the value of 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟗 𝟐𝟕
log 9 27 = 𝑥

2. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.

log 9 27 = 𝑥

27 = 9𝑥 (In index form we raise the base (9) to the power of x)

3. Express both base to the powers of base 3

9𝑥 = 27
(32 )𝑥 = 33 (9= 3 × 3 = 32 )

32×𝑥 = 33 (power law of indices)

32𝑥 = 33

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4. Equate the powers:

32𝑥 = 33
2𝑥 = 3
2𝑥 3
=
2 2
3 𝟏
𝑥= =𝟏
2 𝟐

Example 3
𝟏
Evaluate without using a calculator: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑𝟐

Solution:
𝟏
1. Let the unknown x be the value of 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑𝟐
1
log 2 32 = 𝑥

2. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.

1
log 2 32 = 𝑥
1
= 2𝑥 (In index form we raise the base (2) to the power of x)
32

3. Express both bases to the powers of base 2

1
2𝑥 =
32
1
2𝑥 = (32 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 25 )
25

2𝑥 = 2−5 (negative exponent law)

4. Equate the powers:

2𝑥 = 2−5
𝒙 = −𝟓

Example 4
Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒙 𝟖 = 𝟑 find 𝑥

Solution:
1. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.
log 𝑥 8 = 3

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8 = 𝑥3 (In index form we raise the base (x) to the power of 3)

2. Find the inverse of the power (3):

3 1
3 is the same as so its inverse is
1 3
1
3. Multiply both sides with the inverse of the power (3)

𝑥3 = 8
1 1
(𝑥 3 )3 = 83
1 1
𝑥 3×3 = √8
3
(83 = √8 using the fractional index law)
3

3×1
𝑥 3 =2 ( √8 = 2)
3

3
𝑥3 = 2
𝒙=𝟐

Example 5
Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝒙 = 𝟐 , find 𝑥

Solution:
1. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝒙 = 𝟐

𝑥 = 32 (In index form we raise the base (3) to the power of 2)

2. Evaluate 32
𝑥 = 32
𝒙=𝟗 (32 = 3 × 3 = 9)

Example 6
Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟔𝟒 = (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏)

Solution:
Step 1. Convert from logarithmic form to index form.
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟔𝟒 = (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏)

64 = 42𝑥−1 (In index form we raise the base (4) to the power of 2𝑥 − 1)

Step 2. Express both bases to the powers of base 4

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42𝑥−1 = 64
42𝑥−1 = 43 (64 = 4 × 4 × 4 = 43 )

Step 3. Equate the powers:

42𝑥−1 = 43
2𝑥 − 1 = 3

Step 4. Solve the equation:

2𝑥 − 1 = 3
2𝑥 = 3 + 1
2𝑥 = 4
2𝑥 4
=
2 2

𝒙=𝟐

Exercise 10.a [24 marks] [Answers]

Evaluate 1-6 without using a calculator: [12]

1) log10 1000

1
2) log 2 8

3) log 4 32

4) log 6 1

5) log10 0.001

6) log 5 √125
3

Find the value of 𝑥 [12]

7) log 𝑥 16 = 2

8) log 5 𝑥 = 2

9) log 3 27 = 3(𝑥 − 3)

10) log 𝑥 64 = 1.5

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Laws of logarithms

Law 1
log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁

This law states that the logarithm of a sum is the same as the logarithm of the product
of the factors.

Example 7

Simplify 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟓

Solution:

Multiply the numbers 2 and 5 and keep the base (2)

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟓 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 (𝟑 × 𝟓)

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟏𝟓

Example 8
Simplify log 2 + log 4 + log 3

Solution:

Multiply the numbers 2,4 and 3 and keep the base (10)

log 2 + log 4 + log 3 = log(2 × 4 × 3)

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐𝟒

Law 2
𝑀
log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑁

This law states that the logarithm of a difference is the same as the logarithm of the
division of the factors.

Example 9
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 Online Lessons: 0774 031 978 Exam Cheat Code: Maths 3

Simplify log 5 36 − log 5 18

Solution:

Divide the numbers 36 and 18 and keep the base (5)

36
log 5 36 − log 5 18 = log 5 18

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟐

Example 10

Simplify log 12 + log 4 − log 6

Solution:

log 12 + log 4 − log 6

= log(12 × 4) − log 6 [log 12 × log 4 = log(12 × 4) 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑎𝑤 1]

= log 48 − log 6

48 48
= log {log 48 − log 6 = log using law 2 }
6 6

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟖

Law 3
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑴𝒙 = 𝒙 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑴

This law states that the logarithm of a number raised to a power is equal to the product
of the power and the logarithm of the number.

Examples

1) log 23 = 3 × log 2 = 3 log 2 (the power 3, multiplies the logarithm)

2) log 4 52 = 2 × log 4 5 = 2 log 4 5 (the power 2, multiplies the logarithm)

3) log 3 104 = 4 × log 3 10 = 4 log 3 10 (the power 4, multiplies the logarithm)

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The law also works in reverse:

1) 2log 5 3 = log 5 32 = log 5 (3 × 3) = log 5 9 (the number 2, becomes the power of 3)

2) 3 log 6 4 = log 6 43 = log 6 (4 × 4 × 4) = log 6 64 (the number 3, becomes the power of 4)

Special logarithms

1) log 𝑏 1 = 0 , the log of 1 regardless of the base is equal to 0 e.g. log 5 1 = 0

2) log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1 , if the number of the log is equal to the base, the logarithm becomes 1,
e.g. log 5 5 = 1

3) log 𝑏 0 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑, undefined means it does not exist.

Example 11

Simplify 2 log10 8 − 2 log10 4

Solution:

𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟖 − 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟒

Step 1: Remove the coefficients of the logs using law 3:

log10 82 − log10 42 (law 3, the coefficients become the powers)

= log10 (8 × 8) − log10 (4 × 4)

= log10 64 − log10 16

64
= log10 16 (law 2)

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟒

Example 12

Simplify log 8 9 − 3 log 8 3 + 2 log 8 3

Solution:

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Step 1: Remove the coefficients of the logs using law 3:

log 8 9 − 3 log 8 3 + 2 log 8 3

= log 8 9 − log 8 33 + log 8 32 (law 3, the coefficients become the powers)

= log 8 9 − log 8 (3 × 3 × 3) + log 8 (3 × 3)

= log 8 9 − log 8 27 + log 8 9

Step 2: Rearrange according to the signs, positive logs together:

log 8 9 − log 8 27 + log 8 9

= log 8 9 + log 8 9 − log 8 27

Step 3: Simplify using law 1 and law 2;

= log 8 9 + log 8 9 − log 8 27

= log 8 (9 × 9) − log 8 27 (using law 1)

= log 8 81 − log 8 27

81
= log 8 27 (using law 2)

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟖 𝟑

Exercise 10.b [20 marks] [Answers]

Simplify the following:

1) log 2 7 + log 2 3

2) log 4 3 + log 4 2 + log 4 6

3) log 3 45 − log 3 9

4) log 4 10 + log 4 8 − log 4 16

5) 2 log 9 − 3 log 3

6) log10 8 − 2 log10 2 + log10 3

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7) log 3 6 − log 3 15 + log 3 20

8) log 6 200 − log 6 4 − log 6 5

9) 2 log10 6 − log10 12

10) 2 log10 5 + 3 log10 2

Example 13

Evaluate without using a calculator: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟑𝟎𝟎 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟑

Solution:

Step 1: Simplify using law 2

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟑𝟎𝟎 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟑
300
= log10 (using law 2)
3

= log10 100

Step 2: Let the unknown x be the value of log10 100

log10 100 = 𝑥
Step 3: Convert to index form:
log10 100 = 𝑥
100 = 10𝑥 (In index form we raise the base (10) to the power of x)
Step 4: Express both bases to the powers of base 10
10𝑥 = 100
10𝑥 = 102 (100 = 10 × 10 = 102 )

Step 5: Equate the powers

10𝑥 = 102
𝒙=𝟐

Example 14

Evaluate without using a calculator: 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟓 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟏𝟐 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟏𝟓

Solution:

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Step 1: Simplify using law 1 and law 2

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟓 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟏𝟐 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟏𝟓

= log 4 (5 × 12) − log 4 15 (using law 1)

= log 4 60 − log 4 15

60
= log 4 15 (using law 2)

= log 4 4

=𝟏 (remember log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1)

Example 15
Evaluate 𝟏 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖

Solution:

Step 1: Evaluate 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖

Let the unknown x be the value of 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖 = 𝒙

Convert to index form:

log 2 8 = 𝑥

8 = 2𝑥

Step 2: Express both bases to the powers of base 2

2𝑥 = 8

2𝑥 = 23

Step 3: Equate the powers

2𝑥 = 23
𝑥=3
Therefore 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖 = 𝟑

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Step 4: add the results

𝟏 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟖

=1+3 (since log 2 8 = 3)

=𝟒

Example 16

𝟏
Evaluate 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟔 𝟔−𝟐 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒
𝟒

Solution:
𝟏
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟔 𝟔−𝟐 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒 𝟒

1
= log 6 6−2 − log 4 4−1 (4−1 =
4
𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑤)

= −2log 6 6 − −1 log 4 4 (the power become the coefficients, law 3)

= −2 log 6 6 + log 4 4

= −2(1) + 1 (log 6 6 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 log 4 4 = 1)

= −2 + 1

= −𝟏

Example 17
log3 64
Evaluate
log3 16

Solution:

Step 1: Express both 64 and 16 to the powers of base 4

log3 64
log3 16

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log3 43
=
log3 4 2

Step 2: Use law 3 to change both powers into coefficients

log3 43
=
log3 4 2

3log3 4
=
2 log3 4

Step 3: Divide by cancelling out log 3 4

3 log3 4
= (log 3 4 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
2 log3 4
3 𝟏
= 2 = 𝟏𝟐

Example 18

log5 27+log5 3
Evaluate
2log5 3+log5 3

Solution:

Step 1: Use law 3 to change the coefficient 2 into a power.

log5 27+log5 3
=
log5 32 + log5 3

log5 27+log5 3
=
log5 9 + log5 3

Step 2: Use law 1 on both the numerator and the denominator.

log5 (27×3)
=
log5 (9×3)

log5 81
=
log5 27

Step 3: Express both 81 and 27 to the powers of base 3

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log5 81
=
log5 27

log5 34
= (81 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 34 𝑎𝑛𝑑 27 = 3 × 3 × 3 = 33 )
log5 33

Step 4: Use law 3 to change the powers into coefficients

log5 34
=
log5 33

4 log5 3
=
3 log5 3

Step 5: Divide by cancelling out log 5 3

4 log5 3
=
3 log5 3

4 log5 3
=
3 log5 3

4 𝟏
= =𝟏
3 𝟑

Exercise 10.c [24 marks] [Answers]

1) log 2 128 − log 2 4

2) log 9 81 − log 9 3

3) 2log 3 9 + 1 − log 3 27

4) log 2 16 − log 2 32 + log 2 8

5) 2 − log 3 27

6) 1 + log 5 125

1
7) log 3 3−2 + log 8 8

1
8) log 5 52 − log 2 3
2

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log2 64
9)
log2 32

log5 125
10)
log5 25

2 log2 2+log2 4
11)
3 log2 2+log2 4

1+log7 7
12)
2+log7 49

Properties of logarithms (laws in reverse)

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑴𝑵 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑴 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑵

Example: log 3 (4 × 5) = log 3 4 + log 3 5

𝑴
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑵 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑴 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝑵

5
Example: log 4 7 = log 4 5 − log 4 7

Example 19

Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟑𝟏 and 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟖𝟑 to 3 decimal places.

Evaluate:

a) log 5 6 b) log 5 1.5 c) log 5 10 d) log 5 27 e) log 5 √3

Solutions:

a) We are given the logarithms of 2 and 3, so we need to express 6 as a product of 2

and 3.

log 5 6 = log 5 (2 × 3)

log 5 (2 × 3) = log 5 2 + log 5 3 (using log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁)

= 0.431 + 0.683 (since, log 5 2 = 0.431 and log 5 3 = 0.683)

= 𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟒

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b) First convert the decimal to a fraction:

1 3
log 5 1.5 = log 5 1 2 = log 5 2 (then convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction)

3 𝑀
log 5 2 = log 5 3 − log 5 2 (using log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁)
𝑁

= 0.683 − 0.431 (since, log 5 2 = 0.431 and log 5 3 = 0.683)

= 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝟐

c) We cannot use 2 and 5 to get 10, but we realise that 10 is the product of 2 and 5. We
can evaluate log5 because our base is 5.

log 5 10 = log 5 (2 × 5)

log 5 (2 × 5) = log 5 2 + log 5 5 (using log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁)

= 0.431 + 1 (log 5 5 = 1 using log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1)

= 𝟏. 𝟒𝟑𝟏

d) First express 27 as a power of base 3, since we have log 3.

log 5 27 = log 5 33 (27 = 3 × 3 × 3 = 33 )

log 5 33 = 3 log 5 3 (using log 𝑏 𝑀 𝑥 = 𝑥 log 𝑏 𝑀)

= 3 × 0.683 (since log 5 3 = 0.683)

= 𝟐. 𝟎𝟒𝟗

e) First express the square root as a fractional index.

1
log 5 √3 = log 5 32 (using the fractional index law)
1
1
log 5 32 = 2 log 5 3 (using log 𝑏 𝑀 𝑥 = 𝑥 log 𝑏 𝑀)

1
= 2 × 0.683 (since log 5 3 = 0.683)

= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟏𝟓

Exercise 10.d [20 marks] [Answers]

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Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎𝟏 , 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟕 and 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝟓 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟗 to 3.d.p.

Evaluate the following (1-6)

1) log10 300

2) log10 15

3) log10 25

4) log10 √2 to 3 significant figures.

3

5) log10 0.6

2
6) log10 3

Given that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟕 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟎𝟗 to 3d.p, evaluate the following (7-10)

7) log 5 49

8) log 5 35

4
9) log 5 3
7

10) log 5 √7

More Practice

Example 20

If log 𝑎 = −3 and log 𝑏 = 8

1 𝑎
Find: a) log 𝑎𝑏 b) log 𝑏 c) log √𝑎 d) log 𝑏
3

Solutions:

a) log 𝑎𝑏 = log 𝑎 + log 𝑏 ((using log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁)

= −3 + 8 (since log 𝑎 = −3 and log 𝑏 = 8)

=𝟓

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1
b) log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 −1 (using the negative exponent law)

= − log 𝑏 (the power −1 becomes the coefficient)

= −1 × 8 (since log 𝑏 = 8)

= −𝟖
1
c) log √𝑎 = log 𝑎3
3
(express the cube root as a fractional index)
1
= 3 log 𝑎 (the power becomes the coefficient)

1
= 3 × (−3) (since log 𝑎 = −3)

1×(−3)
= 3
−3
=
3

= −𝟏
𝑎
d) log 𝑏 = log 𝑎 − log 𝑏 (using log 𝑏
𝑀
𝑁
= log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁)

= −3 − 8 (since log 𝑎 = −3 and log 𝑏 = 8)

= −𝟏𝟏

Example 21
𝟏
Express as a logarithm of a single number 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 + 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟔

Solution:

𝟏
𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 + 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟔

1
= log 32 + log 162 (the coefficients become the powers)

= log(3 × 3) + log √16

= log 9 + log 4

= log(9 × 4)

= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑𝟔

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Example 22

Express 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 (𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝟒𝒙 as a single logarithm.

Solution:

log 3 (2𝑥 + 1) − log 3 4𝑥

𝟐𝒙+𝟏 𝑀
= 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 (log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 )
𝟒𝒙 𝑁

Example 23

𝟏
Express 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝒚 = 𝟐 as an equation in index form.

Solution:
1
2 log10 𝑥 − 2 log10 𝑦 = 2

1
log10 𝑥 2 − log10 𝑦 2 = 2 (the coefficients become the powers)

1
log10 𝑥 2 − log10 √𝑦 = 2 (𝑦 2 = √𝑦 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑙𝑎𝑤)

𝑥2 𝑀
log10 =2 (log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 )
√𝑦 𝑁

𝑥2
102 = (change to index form)
√𝑦

𝒙𝟐
𝟏𝟎𝟎 =
√𝒚

Example 24

Show that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 (𝒙 + 𝟑) + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 (𝒙 + 𝟏) = 𝟏 reduces to 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟎 (ii) Hence solve

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0 leaving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

Solution:

log10 (𝑥 + 3) + log10 (𝑥 + 1) = 1

log10 (𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 + 1) = 1 (using log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁)

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101 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 1) (change to index form)

10 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 3 (expand the brackets)

10 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 [ 𝑥 + 3𝑥 = (1 + 3)𝑥 = 4𝑥]

0 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 − 10

0 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟎 (shown)

(ii) 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0

𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 4, 𝑐 = −7
−𝒃±√𝒃𝟐 −𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

−4±√42 −4(1)(−7)
𝑥= 2(1)

−4±√16−−28
𝑥= 2

−4±√44
𝑥= 2

−4+√44 −4−√44
𝑥= or 𝑥 =
2 2

𝑥 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐 𝒐𝒓 − 𝟓. 𝟑𝟐

Example 25

Show that 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 (𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟑 = 𝟏 reduces to 𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟒 = 𝟎

Solution:

2 log 5 (2𝑥 + 1) − log 5 3 = 1

log 5 (2𝑥 + 1)2 − log 5 3 = 1 (the coefficient become the power)

(2𝑥+1)2 𝑀
log 5 =1 (log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁 = log 𝑏 )
3 𝑁

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(2𝑥+1)2
51 = (change to index form)
3

(2𝑥+1)2
3×5= ×3 (simplify the fraction by multiplying both sides by the common
3
denominator)

15 = (2𝑥 + 1)2

15 = (2𝑥 + 1)(2𝑥 + 1)

15 = 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 (Expand the brackets)

15 = 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 [2𝑥 + 2𝑥 = (2 + 2)𝑥 = 4𝑥]

0 = 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 − 15

0 = 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 14

𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟒 = 𝟎 (shown)

Exercise 10.e [44 marks] [Answers]

1) If 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒎 = −𝟐 and 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒏 = −𝟕

1 𝑛
Find: a) log 𝑚𝑛 [2] b) log 𝑛 [2] c) log √𝑚 [2] d) log 𝑚 [2]

1
2) Express as a logarithm of a single number 3 log 5 2 + 3 log 5 125 [2]

1
3) Express as a logarithm of a single number log 9 49 + log 9 2 [2]
2

4) Express as a logarithm of a single number log 5 (3𝑥 + 2) − log 5 2𝑥 [2]

5) Express as a logarithm of a single number log 2 (𝑥 + 4) + 2 log 2 4𝑥 [2]

1
6) Express log 5 𝑥 − 3 log 5 𝑧 = 2 as an equation in index form. [2]

1
7) Express log 2 𝑦 + 4 log 2 𝑤 = 3 as an equation in index form. [2]

8) Show that log 5 (2𝑥 + 1) + log 5 (𝑥 − 3) = 2 reduces to 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 28 = 0 [3] (ii) Hence

solve 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 28 = 0 leaving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [5]

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9) Show that log 2 (𝑥 + 2) + log 2 (𝑥 + 5) = 3 reduces to 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 2 = 0 [3] (ii) Hence

solve 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 2 = 0 leaving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [5]

10) Show that 2 log 9 (𝑥 + 4) − log 9 3 = 1 reduces to 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 11 = 0 [3] (ii) Hence

solve 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 11 = 0 leaving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [5]

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Answers
Ex 10.a Answers back to [Logarithms]

1. 3 [log10 1000 = 𝑥][10𝑥 = 1000][10𝑥 = 103 ][𝑥 = 3]

1 1 1
2. −3 [log 2 = 𝑥] [2𝑥 = ] [2𝑥 =
8 8 23
] [2𝑥 = 2−3 ][𝑥 = −3]

1 2𝑥 5 5
3. 2 2 [log 4 32 = 𝑥][4𝑥 = 32][22𝑥 = 25 ][2𝑥 = 5] [
2
= ] [𝑥 = ]
2 2

4. 0 [log 6 1 = 𝑥][6𝑥 = 1][6𝑥 = 60 ][𝑥 = 0]

1 1
5. −3 [log10 0.001 = 𝑥] [10𝑥 =
1000
] [10𝑥 =
103
] [10𝑥 = 10−3 ][𝑥 =
−3]

3 3
6. 1 [log 5 √125 = 𝑥][5𝑥 = √125][5𝑥 = 51 ][𝑥 = 1]

1 1
7. ±4 [log 𝑥 16 = 2][𝑥 2 = 16] [(𝑥 2 )2 = 162 ] [𝑥 = √16]

8. 25 [log 5 𝑥 = 2][52 = 𝑥]

3(𝑥−3) 3
9. 4 [33(𝑥−3) = 27][33(𝑥−3) = 33 ][3(𝑥 − 3) = 3] [ = ] [𝑥 −
3 3
3 = 1]

2
3 3 3 2 2
3
10. 16 [𝑥 1.5 = 64] [𝑥 = 64] [(𝑥 ) = 643 ] [𝑥 = ( √64) ] [𝑥 = 42 ]
2 2

Ex 10.b Answers [Logarithms]

1. log 2 21 [log 2 (7 × 3)]

2. log 4 36 [log 4 (3 × 2 × 6)]

45
3. log 3 5 [log 3
9
= log 3 5]

10×8 80
4. log 4 5 [log 4 (
16
) = log 4 ( )]
16

81
5. log 3 [log 92 − log 33 ][log 81 − log 27] [log ( )]
27

6. log10 6 [log10 8 − log10 22 + log10 3][log10 8 − log10 4 +

8×3
log10 3] [log10 ( )]
4

6×20 120
7. log 3 8 [log 3 (
15
)] [log 3 (
15
)]

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200 50
8. log 6 10 [log 6 (
4
) − log 6 5] [log 6 50 − log 6 5] [log 6 ( )]
5

36
9. log10 3 [log10 62 − log10 12][log10 36 − log10 12] [log10 ( )]
12

10. log10 200 [log10 52 + log10 23 ][log10 25 + log10 8][log10 (25 × 8)]

Ex 10.c Answers [Logarithms]

128
1. 5 [log 2 = log 2 32] [log 2 32 = 𝑥][2𝑥 = 32][2𝑥 = 25 ]
4

1 81
2. 1 2 [log 9
3
= log 9 27] [log 9 27 = 𝑥][9𝑥 = 27][32𝑥 = 33 ][2𝑥 =
2𝑥 3
3] [ = ]
2 2

81
3. 2 [log 3 92 − log 3 27 + 1] [log 3 ( ) + 1] [log 3 3 + 1][1 + 1]
27

16×8
4. 2 [log 2 ( ) = log 2 4] [log 2 4 = 𝑥][2𝑥 = 4][2𝑥 = 22 ]
32

5. −1 [2 − 3log 3 3][2 − 3]

6. 4 [1 + 3log 5 5][1 + 3]

7. −3 [−2 log 3 3 + log 8 8−1 ][−2 log 3 3 − log 8 8][−2 − 1]

8. 5 [2 log 5 5 − log 2 2−3 ][2 log 5 5 + 3 log 2 2][2 + 3]

1 log 26 6 log 2 6
9. 1 5 [log2 25 = 5 log2 2 = 5]
2 2

1 log 53 3 log 5 3
10. 1 2 [log5 52 = 2 log5 5 = 2]
5 5

4 log 22 +log 4 log (4×4) log 16 log 24 4 log 2 4

11. [log2 23 +log2 4] [log2(8×4) = log2 32] [log2 25 = 5 log2 2 = 5]
5 2 2 2 2 2 2

1 1+log 7 1+1 2 2 1
12. 2 [2+log 772 ] [2+2 log 7] [2+2 = 4 = 2]
7 7

Ex 10.d Answers [Logarithms]

1. 2.477 [log10 (3 × 100)][log10 3 + log10 100][log10 3 +

2log10 10][0.477 + 2]

2. 1.176 [log10 (3 × 5)][log10 3 + log10 5][0.477 + 0.699]

3. 1.398 [log10 (5 × 5)][log10 5 + log10 5][0.699 + 0.699]

1
1 1
4. 0.1 [log10 23 = log10 2] [ × 0.301]
3 3

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6 3
5. −0.222 [log10
10
= log10 ] [log10 3 − log10 5][0.477 − 0.699]
5

6. −0.176 [log10 2 − log10 3][0.301 − 0.477]

7. 2.418 [log 5 72 = 2 log 5 7][2 × 1.209]

8. 2.209 [log 5 (7 × 5)][log 5 7 + log 5 5][1.209 + 1]

25
9. 0.791 [log 5
7
] [log 5 25 − log 5 7][2 log 5 5 − log 5 7][2 − 1.209]

1 1 1
10. 0.605 [log 5 72 = log 5 7] [ × 1.209]
2 2

Ex 10.e Answers [Logarithms]

1. a) −9 [log 𝑚 + log 𝑛][−2 + (−7)]

b) 7 [log 𝑛−1 = − log 𝑛 = −(−7) = 7]
1 1 1
c) −1 [log 𝑚2 = log 𝑚 = × (−2)]
2 2

d) −5 [log 𝑛 − log 𝑚][−7 − (−2) = −7 + 2]

1
3
2. log 5 40 [log 5 23 + log 5 1253 ] [log 5 8 + log 5 √125][log 5 8 + log 5 5][log 5 (8 × 5)]

1
2
3. log 9 14 [log 9 492 + log 9 2] [log 9 √49 + log 9 2][log 9 7 +
log 9 2][log 9 (7 × 2)]
3𝑥+2
4. log 5 2𝑥

5. log 2 [16𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 4)] [log 2(𝑥 + 4) + log 2(4𝑥)2 ][log 2(𝑥 + 4) + log 2 16𝑥 2 ]{log 2[(𝑥 + 4) ×
2 ]}
16𝑥

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
6. 3 = 25 3
[log 5 𝑥 − log 5 √𝑧 = 2] [log 5 3 = 2] [52 = 3 ]
√𝑧 √𝑧 √𝑧

7. 𝑦 4√𝑤 = 8 4
[log 2 𝑦 + log 2 √𝑤 = 3][log 2 (𝑦 × √𝑤 ) = 3][23 = 𝑦 √𝑤 ]
4 4

8. (i) [log 5 (2𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 − 3) = 2 ][52 = (2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 3)][25 = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3][2𝑥 2 −

6𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3 − 25 = 0][2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 28 = 0]
−(−5)±√(−5)2 −4(2)(−28) 5±√249
(ii) 𝑥 = 5.19 𝑜𝑟 − 2.69 [
2(2)
][
4
]

9. (i) [log 2 (𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 5) = 3][23 = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 5)][8 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 10][𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 +

5𝑥 + 10 − 8 = 0][𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 2 = 0]
−7±√72 −4(1)(2) −7±√41
(ii) 𝑥 = −0.298 𝑜𝑟 − 6.70 [
2(1)
][
2
]

(𝑥+4)2 (𝑥+4)2
10. (i) [log 9 = 1] [91 = ] [27 = (𝑥 + 4)2 ][27 = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16][0 = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 −
3 3
27][𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 11 = 0]

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−8±√82 −4(1)(−11) −8±√108

(ii) 𝑥 = 1.20 𝑜𝑟 − 9.20 [
2(1)
][
2
]

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