Intermediate Algebra/Logarithms

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Logarithms (commonly called "logs") are a specific instance of a function being used for everyday use. Logarithms are used commonly to measure earthquakes, distances of stars, economics, and throughout the scientific world.

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[edit] Logarithms

In order to understand logs, we need to review exponential equations. Answer the following problems:

1) What is 4 to the power of 3?

2) What is 3 to the power of 4?

3) 2^5 \!

4) 5^2 \!

After you finish, check your answers:

1: "4 to the power of 3" means "4 multiplied 3 times." Thus, 4 to the power of 3 equals 4 times 4 times 4. 4 times 4=16. 16 times 4=64. So 4 to the power of 3 equals 64.

2: 3 times 3 = 9. Times 3 equals 27. Times 3 equals 81. So 3 to the power of 4 equals 81.

3: 2 ^ 5 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 = 32 \!

4: 5 ^ 2 = 5 * 5 = 25 \!

Just like there is a way to say and write "4 to the power of 3" or "4^3 \!, there is a specific way to say and write logarithms.

For example, "4 to the power of 3 equals 64" can be written as: 4^3=64 \!

However, it can also be written as:

\log_4 (64) = 3 \

Once, you remember that the base of the exponent is the number being raised to a power and that the base of the logarithm is the subscript after the log, the rest falls into place. I like to draw an arrow (either mentally or physically) from the base, to the exponent, to the product when changing from logarithmic form to exponential form. So visually or mentally I would go from 2 to 5 to 32 in the logarithmic example which (once I add the conventions) gives us: 2^5 = 32 \!

So, when you are given a logarithm to solve, just remember how to convert it to an exponential equation. Here are some practice problems, the answers are at the bottom.

[edit] Properities of Logarithms

The following properities derive from the definition of logarithm.

If b > 0 with b < > 1, then for every real y,a,c it is:

1) \log_b (y^a) = a \log_b (y) \

2) \log_b (b^a) = a \

3) \log_b (a c) = \log_b (a)+\log_b (c) \

4) \log_b (a/ c) = \log_b (a)-\log_b (c) \


There is also the "change of base rule":

\log_b (a) = \frac{\log_d (a)}{\log_d (b)} for any d > 0,d < > 1

Proof logb(a) is the same as bc = a.

Now, let us take the log to base d of both sides:

logd(bc) = logd(a).

Next, notice that the left side of this equation is the same as that in property number 1 above. Let us apply this property.

clogd(b) = logd(a)

Finally, solving this equation for c gives the desired result

c = \frac{\log_d (a)}{\log_d (b)}


This rule allows you to evaluate logs to a base other than e or 10 on a calculator. For example, \log_3 (12) = \frac{\log_{10} (12)}{\log_{10} (3)} = 2.262


  • Solve these logarithms
    • \log_3 (81) = \!
    • \log_6 (216) = \!
    • \log_4 (64) = \!
  • Evaluate with a calculator
    • \log_4 (6) = \!
  • Find the y value of these logarithms
    • \log_3 (y) = 3 \!
    • \log_5 (y) = 4 \!
    • \log_9 (y) = 4 \!

[edit] Answers

  • Solve these logarithms
    • 4
    • 3
    • 3
  • Evaluate with a calculator
    • 1.29248
  • Find the y value of these logarithms
    • 27
    • 625
    • 6561

Logarithms are the reverse of exponential functions, just as division is the reverse of multiplication, for example:

5 \times 6 = 30 and 30 / 6 = 5

73 = 343
log7343 = 3

Or, in a more general form, if ab = x, then logax = b. Also, if f(x) = ax, then f − 1(x) = logax, so if the two equations are graphed each is the reflection of the other over the line y = x. (in both equations, a is considered to be the base).

Because of this, a^{\log_{a}b}=b and logaab = b.

Common bases used are bases of 10 which is a called a common logarithm or e which is called a natural logarithm" (e~=2.71828182846).

Common logs are written either as log10x or simply as logx.

Natural logs are written either as logex or simply as lnx (the ln stands for natural logarithm).

Logarithms are commonly abbreviated as logs.

[edit] Properties of Logarithms

  1. logax + logay = logax * y
  2. \log_{a}x - \log_{a}y = \log_{a}\frac{x}{y}
  3. \log_{a}x^b = b \times \log_{a}x

Proof:
logax + logay = logax * y

logax + logay

logax = b and logay = c

\ a^b = x and \ a^c = y

\ xy = a^b a^c

\ xy = a^{(b+c)}

logaxy = b + c

and replace b and c (as above)

logaxy = logax + logay

[edit] Change of Base Formula

\log_{y}x=\frac{\log_{a}x} {\log_{a}y} where a is any positive number, distinct from 1. Generally, a is either 10 (for common logs) or e (for natural logs).

Proof:
logyx = b

\ y^b = x

Put both sides to loga

logayb = logax

\ b\log_{a}y = \log_{a}x

\ b = \frac{\log_{a}x}{\log_{a}y}

Replace \ b from first line

\log_{y}x = \frac{\log_{a}x}{\log_{a}y}

[edit] Swap of Base and Exponent Formula

a^{\log_{b}c}=c^{\log_{b}a} where a or c must not be equal to 1.

Proof:

log_{a}b = \frac{1}{log_{b}a} by the change of base formula above.

Note that a=c^{log_{c}a}. Then

a^{log_{b}c} can be rewritten as

({c^{log_{c}a}})^{ log_{b}c} or by the exponential rule as

c^{{log_{c}a}*{log_{b}c}}

using the inverse rule noted above, this is equal to

c^{ {log_{c}a} * { \frac{1}{log_{c}b} } }

and by the change of base formula

c^{log_{b}a}

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