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Logarithm
A logarithm is a mathematical operation that
represents the inverse of exponentiation. If b x = y,
then log b (y) =x
Here, b is the base, y is the result of raising the base
to the power of x, and x is the logarithm.

log b y is the power by which b must be raised

to obtain y.

1.0
Logarithm Definition
A logarithm is a mathematical function that
yields the exponent to which a fixed number,
termed the base, must be raised to obtain a
specified number. In other words, if you have a
logarithm of a number "y" with base "b", it is
denoted as “logb (y)” and it represents the power
to which the base "b" must be raised to yield the
value "y".
For example, in base 10 logarithms, if you have
log10(1000) = 3, it means 10 raised to the power of
3 equals 1000 (103 = 1000).
Logarithms are widely used in various fields, such
as mathematics, engineering, science,
economics, and computer science for simplifying
calculations involving large numbers, expressing
exponential growth or decay, solving equations,
and more.
Note: For logb y to be defined, y > 0, b > 0, b ≠ 1.

Exponential Form Logarithmic Form

35 = 243 log3 (243) = 5

42 =16 log4 (16) = 2

2 5=32 log2 (32) =5

1
2 −3 = 8
​ log 2 ( 18 ) = −3
​ ​

80 = 1 log8 (1) = 0

There are several common bases for

logarithms

Natural logarithm (base e)

Denoted as ln y, where the base e is called natural

logarithm, (e approximately equal to 2.71828).
T he natural logarithm function is defined for
positive real numbers y, and it represents the
power to which e must be raised to obtain y.
Mathematically, the natural logarithm function
satisfies the equation: ln y = x
If and only if: ex = y
T he natural logarithm function is widely used in
various fields of mathematics, including calculus,
differential equations, probability, and statistics,
as well as in sciences such as physics, chemistry,
and biology. It has numerous applications in
modeling exponential growth and decay, solving
equations involving exponential functions,
calculating compound interest, and more.

Base 10 logarithm:

Denoted as log10 (y), is a logarithm with base 10. It

represents the power to which 10 must be raised
to obtain y.
Mathematically, the base 10 logarithm function
satisfies the equation: log10 (y)=x
If and only if: 10x = y
T he base 10 logarithm is commonly used in various
fields, especially in science, engineering, and
technology. It is often used for practical purposes
because of its easy conversion to and from the
common logarithm. For example, the pH scale in
chemistry and the Richter scale in seismology are
both based on base 10 logarithms.

Other bases:

Logarithms can be taken with any positive base

other than 1, though natural logarithms (base e)
and base 10 logarithms are most common.

2.0
Logarithm Graph

3.0
Logarithm Properties
1. Product Rule:

logb (xy)=logb (x)+logb (y)

T his property states that the sum of the
logarithms of the individual factors is equal to the
logarithm of a product.

2. Quotient Rule:

log b ( xy ) = log b (x) − log b (y)

​ ​ ​ ​

T his property states that the logarithm of the

quotient is equal to the difference of the
logarithms of the numerator and denominator.

3. Power Rule:

logb (xa) = a. logb (x)

T his property states that the logarithm of a power
is equal to the exponent times the logarithm of the
base.

4. Change of Base Formula:

logc ( x)
log b (x) =​

logc ( b)
​
​

T his formula allows us to change the base of a

logarithm

5. Inverse Property:

logb (bx) = x
T his property states that applying a logarithm
with base b to a number raised to the same base b
yields the original exponent.

6. Zero Property:

logb (1) = 0
T he logarithm of 1 w.r.t any base other than 1
remains constant at zero.

7. Negative Property:

log b ( x1 ) = − log b (x)

​ ​ ​

T his property states that the logarithm of the

reciprocal of a number equals the negative of the
logarithm of the number itself.

Some More Important Properties of

Logarithm
b
1. alog = b
b a
2. alog c = blog c

provided log are defined.

4 .0
Logarithm Solved Questions
1. Evaluate: – log 2 (256)

⇒ 2 8 = 256
⇒ log2 (256) = 8

2. Simplify log 3 (81) – log 3 (9)

= log 3 ( 819 ) (by Division Rule)

​ ​

= log3 (9)
= 2 (32 =9)

3. Find the value of 2 log ( 52 ) + 3 log ( 258 ) + ​ ​

128
log ( 625 ) ​

3
22
+ log ( 523 ) + log
2
27
= log 52 ​ ​

54 ​

22 56 27
= log 52
​ ⋅ 29
​ ⋅ 54
​ = log 1 = 0

4. log 3 (x) = log 3 (8) + log 3 (5)

= log 3 (8 × 5)
= log3 (40)
thus, x = 40

CONTENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a logarithm?

What are the common bases for

logarithms?

What are the properties of

logarithms?

How do I solve equations involving

logarithms?

What are some real-world

applications of logarithms?

What is a logarithm table?

Where can I find a logarithm table

PDF?

What is a logarithm book, and why is

it useful?

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