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Exponential and Logarithmic
Functions and Equations
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Rules and properties of logarithms
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Natural
logarithm and
common logarithm
conversions |
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Changing the base – different
logarithmic identities
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| Rules and properties of logarithms
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| A
logarithm is the exponent (the power) to which a base must be
raised to yield a given number, that is |
| y =
loga
x
if x = a
y. |
| Examples: |
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| Notation:
Common logarithms of x,
log10 x
(to the base 10) are often written log
x, without the base
explicitly indicated while, Natural
logarithms, loge
x (to the base e,
where e = 2,718218... ), are written ln
x. |
| Therefore, |
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loga
ax =
x |
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loga
a = 1
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loga 1 = 0
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| Logarithms
are used to simplify multiplication, division and exponentiation
so that, |
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loga
(m · n) =
loga
m +
loga
n |
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loga
mn =
n ·
loga
m
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| Example:
Using the rules of logarithms find the value of x. |
| Solution: |
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| Changing the base and different
logarithmic identities
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| Using
the identity |
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| In
a similar way |
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| therefore, |
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| Similarly, |
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| and |
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