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Logarithmic Properties
Use the product rule for logarithms.
Logarithmic Properties
- Simplify expressions using the properties for exponents. (IA 5.2.1)
- Use the properties of logarithms. (IA 10.4.1)
Simplify expressions using the properties for exponents.
| Simplify | \({x}^{2}\cdot {x}^{3}\) | |
| What does this mean? | \(\\) | |
| Now we see that | \({x}^{2}\cdot {x}^{3}={x}^{5}\) |
To multiply powers with the same base we need to ________ exponents.
This leads us to the Product Property \({a}^{m}\cdot {a}^{n}={a}^{m+n}\)
Simplify \(\frac{{x}^{5}}{{x}^{2}}\)
| What does this mean? | \(\frac{\text{xxxxx}}{\text{xx}}\) | After simplifying we get \({x}^{3}\) |
| Now we see that | \(\frac{{x}^{5}}{{x}^{2}}={x}^{3}\) |
To divide powers with the same base we need to __________ exponents.
This leads us to the Quotient Property \({a}^{m}\cdot {a}^{n}={a}^{m-n}\)
Simplify \(({x}^{2}{)}^{4}\)
| What does this mean? | \({x}^{2}\cdot {x}^{2}\cdot {x}^{2}\cdot {x}^{2}\) | After adding exponents we get \({x}^{8}\) . |
| Now we see that | \(({x}^{2}{)}^{4}={x}^{8}\) |
To raise a power to a power we need to __________ exponents.
This leads us to the Power Property \(({a}^{m}{)}^{n}={a}^{mn}\) .
We will also use these other properties:
| Negative Exponents Property | \({x}^{-n}=\frac{1}{{x}^{n}},x\ne 0\) |
| Zero Exponent Property | \({a}^{0}=1,ifa\ne 0\) |
Example
Simplify expressions using the properties for exponents.
Try it.
- ⓐ Simplify \(3∙{2}^{x}∙{2}^{3x}\)
- ⓑ Simplify \(\frac{{b}^{2}{b}^{6}b}{{b}^{4}{b}^{7}}\)
- ⓒ Simplify \({(a{b}^{2})}^{3}{a}^{5}{b}^{-6}\)
Solution
ⓐ
| Use the product property. | \(3∙{2}^{x+3x}\) |
| Simplify. | \(3∙{2}^{4x}\) |
ⓑ
| Use the product property and multiply exponents. | \(\frac{{b}^{9}}{{b}^{11}}\) |
| Use the quotient property and add exponents. | \({b}^{-2}=\frac{1}{{b}^{2}}\) |
ⓒ
| Use the power property and multiply exponents. | \({a}^{3}{b}^{6}{a}^{5}{b}^{-6}\) |
| Use the product property and add exponents. | \({a}^{8}{b}^{0}\) |
| Any base to the power of zero equals 1. | \({a}^{8}(1)={a}^{8}\) |
Simplify expressions using the properties for exponents.
Try it.
\(3{b}^{5}∙2{b}^{12}\)
Try it.
\(x∙{x}^{5}∙{x}^{7}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{{b}^{15}{c}^{4}}{{b}^{4}c}\)
Try it.
\(4{x}^{0}\)
Try it.
\(12{x}^{-6}\)
Try it.
\({(2{a}^{3})}^{3}{({a}^{4})}^{2}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{{a}^{-3}{b}^{5}}{2{a}^{-6}}\)
Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Using the Product Rule for Logarithms
Recall that the logarithmic and exponential functions “undo” each other. This means that logarithms have similar properties to exponents. Some important properties of logarithms are given here. First, the following properties are easy to prove.
\[\begin{array}{l}{\log }_{b}1=0 \\ {\log }_{b}b=1\end{array}\]For example, \({\log }_{5}1=0\) since \({5}^{0}=1.\) And \({\log }_{5}5=1\) since \({5}^{1}=5.\)
Next, we have the inverse property.
\[\begin{array}{l} \\ {\log }_{b}({b}^{x})=x \\ \ {b}^{{\log }_{b}x}=x,x>0\end{array}\]For example, to evaluate \(\log (100),\) we can rewrite the logarithm as \({\log }_{10}({10}^{2}),\) and then apply the inverse property \({\log }_{b}({b}^{x})=x\) to get \({\log }_{10}({10}^{2})=2.\)
To evaluate \({e}^{\ln (7)},\) we can rewrite the logarithm as \({e}^{{\log }_{e}7},\) and then apply the inverse property \({b}^{{\log }_{b}x}=x\) to get \({e}^{{\log }_{e}7}=7.\)
Finally, we have the one-to-one property.
\[{\log }_{b}M={\log }_{b}N\ \text{if and only if}\ \ M=N\]We can use the one-to-one property to solve the equation \({\log }_{3}(3x)={\log }_{3}(2x+5)\) for \(x.\) Since the bases are the same, we can apply the one-to-one property by setting the arguments equal and solving for \(x:\)
\[\begin{array}{ll}3x=2x+5\ \ \ & \text{Set the arguments equal}\text{.} \\ \ \ x=5 & \text{Subtract 2}x\text{.}\end{array}\]\[{\log }_{b}(MN)\text{=}{\log }_{b}(M)+{\log }_{b}(N).\]\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{b}(MN) & ={\log }_{b}({b}^{m}{b}^{n})\ \ \ & \text{Substitute for }M\ \text{and }N. \\ & ={\log }_{b}({b}^{m+n}) & \text{Apply the product rule for exponents}. \\ & =m+n & \text{Apply the inverse property of logs}. \\ & ={\log }_{b}(M)+{\log }_{b}(N) & \text{Substitute for }m\ \text{and }n.\end{array}\]\[{\log }_{b}(wxyz)={\log }_{b}w+{\log }_{b}x+{\log }_{b}y+{\log }_{b}z\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Using the Quotient Rule for Logarithms
For quotients, we have a similar rule for logarithms. Recall that we use the quotient rule of exponents to combine the quotient of exponents by subtracting: \(\frac{{x}^{a}}{{x}^{b}}={x}^{a-b}.\) The quotient rule for logarithms says that the logarithm of a quotient is equal to a difference of logarithms. Just as with the product rule, we can use the inverse property to derive the quotient rule.
Given any real number \(x\) and positive real numbers \(M,\) \(N,\) and \(b,\) where \(b\ne 1,\) we will show
\[{\log }_{b}(\frac{M}{N})\text{=}{\log }_{b}(M)-{\log }_{b}(N).\]Let \(m={\log }_{b}M\) and \(n={\log }_{b}N.\) In exponential form, these equations are \({b}^{m}=M\) and \({b}^{n}=N.\) It follows that
\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{b}(\frac{M}{N}) & ={\log }_{b}(\frac{{b}^{m}}{{b}^{n}})\ \ \ & \text{Substitute for }M\ \text{and }N. \\ & ={\log }_{b}({b}^{m-n}) & \text{Apply the quotient rule for exponents}. \\ & =m-n & \text{Apply the inverse property of logs}. \\ & ={\log }_{b}(M)-{\log }_{b}(N) & \text{Substitute for }m\ \text{and }n.\end{array}\]For example, to expand \(\log (\frac{2{x}^{2}+6x}{3x+9}),\) we must first express the quotient in lowest terms. Factoring and canceling we get,
\[\begin{array}{ll}\log (\frac{2{x}^{2}+6x}{3x+9})=\log (\frac{2x(x+3)}{3(x+3)}) & \text{Factor the numerator and denominator}. \\ \ =\log (\frac{2x}{3}) & \text{Cancel the common factors}.\end{array}\]Next we apply the quotient rule by subtracting the logarithm of the denominator from the logarithm of the numerator. Then we apply the product rule.
\[\begin{array}{l}\log (\frac{2x}{3})=\log (2x)-\log (3) \\ \ =\log (2)+\log (x)-\log (3)\end{array}\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Using the Power Rule for Logarithms
We’ve explored the product rule and the quotient rule, but how can we take the logarithm of a power, such as \({x}^{2}?\) One method is as follows:
\[\begin{array}{ll}{\log }_{b}({x}^{2}) & ={\log }_{b}(x⋅x) \\ & ={\log }_{b}x+{\log }_{b}x \\ & =2{\log }_{b}x\end{array}\]Notice that we used the product rule for logarithms to find a solution for the example above. By doing so, we have derived the power rule for logarithms, which says that the log of a power is equal to the exponent times the log of the base. Keep in mind that, although the input to a logarithm may not be written as a power, we may be able to change it to a power. For example,
\[\begin{array}{lll}100={10}^{2}\ \ \ & \sqrt{3}={3}^{\frac{1}{2}}\ \ \ & \frac{1}{e}={e}^{-1}\end{array}\]Example
Try it.
Expand \({\log }_{2}{x}^{5}.\)
Solution
The argument is already written as a power, so we identify the exponent, 5, and the base, \(x,\) and rewrite the equivalent expression by multiplying the exponent times the logarithm of the base.
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{5})=5{\log }_{2}x\]Example
Try it.
Expand \({\log }_{3}(25)\) using the power rule for logs.
Solution
Expressing the argument as a power, we get \({\log }_{3}(25)={\log }_{3}({5}^{2}).\)
Next we identify the exponent, 2, and the base, 5, and rewrite the equivalent expression by multiplying the exponent times the logarithm of the base.
\[{\log }_{3}({5}^{2})=2{\log }_{3}(5)\]Example
Try it.
Rewrite \(4\ln (x)\) using the power rule for logs to a single logarithm with a leading coefficient of 1.
Solution
Because the logarithm of a power is the product of the exponent times the logarithm of the base, it follows that the product of a number and a logarithm can be written as a power. For the expression \(4\ln (x),\) we identify the factor, 4, as the exponent and the argument, \(x,\) as the base, and rewrite the product as a logarithm of a power: \(4\ln (x)=\ln ({x}^{4}).\)
Expanding Logarithmic Expressions
Taken together, the product rule, quotient rule, and power rule are often called “laws of logs.” Sometimes we apply more than one rule in order to simplify an expression. For example:
\[\begin{array}{ll}{\log }_{b}(\frac{6x}{y}) & ={\log }_{b}(6x)-{\log }_{b}y \\ & ={\log }_{b}6+{\log }_{b}x-{\log }_{b}y\end{array}\]We can use the power rule to expand logarithmic expressions involving negative and fractional exponents. Here is an alternate proof of the quotient rule for logarithms using the fact that a reciprocal is a negative power:
\[\begin{array}{ll}{\log }_{b}(\frac{A}{C}) & ={\log }_{b}(A{C}^{-1}) \\ & ={\log }_{b}(A)+{\log }_{b}({C}^{-1}) \\ & ={\log }_{b}A+(-1){\log }_{b}C \\ & ={\log }_{b}A-{\log }_{b}C\end{array}\]We can also apply the product rule to express a sum or difference of logarithms as the logarithm of a product.
With practice, we can look at a logarithmic expression and expand it mentally, writing the final answer. Remember, however, that we can only do this with products, quotients, powers, and roots—never with addition or subtraction inside the argument of the logarithm.
Example
Try it.
Rewrite \(\ln (\frac{{x}^{4}y}{7})\) as a sum or difference of logs.
Solution
First, because we have a quotient of two expressions, we can use the quotient rule:
\[\ln (\frac{{x}^{4}y}{7})=\ln ({x}^{4}y)-\ln (7)\]Then seeing the product in the first term, we use the product rule:
\[\ln ({x}^{4}y)-\ln (7)=\ln ({x}^{4})+\ln (y)-\ln (7)\]Finally, we use the power rule on the first term:
\[\ln ({x}^{4})+\ln (y)-\ln (7)=4\ln (x)+\ln (y)-\ln (7)\]Example
Try it.
Expand \(\log (\sqrt{x}).\)
Solution
\[\begin{array}{ll}\log (\sqrt{x}) & =\log {x}^{(\frac{1}{2})} \\ & =\frac{1}{2}\log x\end{array}\]Example
Try it.
Expand \({\log }_{6}(\frac{64{x}^{3}(4x+1)}{(2x-1)}).\)
Solution
We can expand by applying the Product and Quotient Rules.
\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{6}(\frac{64{x}^{3}(4x+1)}{(2x-1)}) & ={\log }_{6}64+{\log }_{6}{x}^{3}+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & \text{Apply the Quotient Rule}. \\ & ={\log }_{6}{2}^{6}+{\log }_{6}{x}^{3}+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & {\text{Simplify by writing 64 as 2}}^{6}. \\ & =6{\log }_{6}2+3{\log }_{6}x+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & \text{Apply the Power Rule}.\end{array}\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Condensing Logarithmic Expressions
We can use the rules of logarithms we just learned to condense sums, differences, and products with the same base as a single logarithm. It is important to remember that the logarithms must have the same base to be combined. We will learn later how to change the base of any logarithm before condensing.
Example
Try it.
Write \({\log }_{3}(5)+{\log }_{3}(8)-{\log }_{3}(2)\) as a single logarithm.
Solution
Using the product and quotient rules
\[{\log }_{3}(5)+{\log }_{3}(8)={\log }_{3}(5⋅8)={\log }_{3}(40)\]This reduces our original expression to
\[{\log }_{3}(40)-{\log }_{3}(2)\]Then, using the quotient rule
\[{\log }_{3}(40)-{\log }_{3}(2)={\log }_{3}(\frac{40}{2})={\log }_{3}(20)\]Example
Try it.
Condense \({\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+\frac{1}{2}{\log }_{2}(x-1)-3{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{2}).\)
Solution
We apply the power rule first:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+\frac{1}{2}{\log }_{2}(x-1)-3{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{2})={\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+{\log }_{2}(\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})\]Next we apply the product rule to the sum:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+{\log }_{2}(\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})={\log }_{2}({x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})\]Finally, we apply the quotient rule to the difference:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})={\log }_{2}\frac{{x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1}}{{(x+3)}^{6}}\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Using the Change-of-Base Formula for Logarithms
Most calculators can evaluate only common and natural logs. In order to evaluate logarithms with a base other than 10 or \(e,\) we use the change-of-base formula to rewrite the logarithm as the quotient of logarithms of any other base; when using a calculator, we would change them to common or natural logs.
To derive the change-of-base formula, we use the one-to-one property and power rule for logarithms.
Given any positive real numbers \(M,b,\) and \(n,\) where \(n\ne 1\) and \(b\ne 1,\) we show
\[{\log }_{b}M\text{=}\frac{{\log }_{n}M}{{\log }_{n}b}\]Let \(y={\log }_{b}M.\)By exponentiating both sides with base\(b\), we arrive at an exponential form, namely \({b}^{y}=M.\) It follows that
\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{n}({b}^{y}) & ={\log }_{n}M & \text{Apply the one-to-one property}. \\ y{\log }_{n}b & ={\log }_{n}M & \text{Apply the power rule for logarithms.} \\ y & =\frac{{\log }_{n}M}{{\log }_{n}b} & \text{Isolate }y. \\ {\log }_{b}M & =\frac{{\log }_{n}M}{{\log }_{n}b} & \text{Substitute for }y.\end{array}\]For example, to evaluate \({\log }_{5}36\) using a calculator, we must first rewrite the expression as a quotient of common or natural logs. We will use the common log.
\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{5}36 & =\frac{\log (36)}{\log (5)}\ & \text{Apply the change of base formula using base 10}\text{.} \\ & \approx 2.2266\ & \text{Use a calculator to evaluate to 4 decimal places}\text{.}\end{array}\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax College Algebra 2e.
Key Equations
| The Product Rule for Logarithms | \({\log }_{b}(MN)={\log }_{b}(M)+{\log }_{b}(N)\) |
| The Quotient Rule for Logarithms | \({\log }_{b}(\frac{M}{N})={\log }_{b}M-{\log }_{b}N\) |
| The Power Rule for Logarithms | \({\log }_{b}({M}^{n})=n{\log }_{b}M\) |
| The Change-of-Base Formula | \({\log }_{b}M\text{=}\frac{{\log }_{n}M}{{\log }_{n}b}\ n>0,n\ne 1,b\ne 1\) |
Key Concepts
- We can use the product rule of logarithms to rewrite the log of a product as a sum of logarithms. See .
- We can use the quotient rule of logarithms to rewrite the log of a quotient as a difference of logarithms. See .
- We can use the power rule for logarithms to rewrite the log of a power as the product of the exponent and the log of its base. See , , and .
- We can use the product rule, the quotient rule, and the power rule together to combine or expand a logarithm with a complex input. See , , and .
- The rules of logarithms can also be used to condense sums, differences, and products with the same base as a single logarithm. See , , , and .
- We can convert a logarithm with any base to a quotient of logarithms with any other base using the change-of-base formula. See .
- The change-of-base formula is often used to rewrite a logarithm with a base other than 10 and \(e\) as the quotient of natural or common logs. That way a calculator can be used to evaluate. See .
Practice (40)
Try each one on paper first. Reveal the answer to check; verified ones can be opened in the solver for every step.
-
- ⓐ Simplify \(3∙{2}^{x}∙{2}^{3x}\)
- ⓑ Simplify \(\frac{{b}^{2}{b}^{6}b}{{b}^{4}{b}^{7}}\)
- ⓒ Simplify \({(a{b}^{2})}^{3}{a}^{5}{b}^{-6}\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
ⓐ
Use the product property. \(3∙{2}^{x+3x}\) Simplify. \(3∙{2}^{4x}\) ⓑ
Use the product property and multiply exponents. \(\frac{{b}^{9}}{{b}^{11}}\) Use the quotient property and add exponents. \({b}^{-2}=\frac{1}{{b}^{2}}\) ⓒ
Use the power property and multiply exponents. \({a}^{3}{b}^{6}{a}^{5}{b}^{-6}\) Use the product property and add exponents. \({a}^{8}{b}^{0}\) Any base to the power of zero equals 1. \({a}^{8}(1)={a}^{8}\) -
\(3{b}^{5}∙2{b}^{12}\)
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\(x∙{x}^{5}∙{x}^{7}\)
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\(\frac{{b}^{15}{c}^{4}}{{b}^{4}c}\)
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\(4{x}^{0}\)
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\(12{x}^{-6}\)
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\({(2{a}^{3})}^{3}{({a}^{4})}^{2}\)
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\(\frac{{a}^{-3}{b}^{5}}{2{a}^{-6}}\)
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Use the Properties of Logarithms to expand the logarithm \({\text{log}}_{4}(2{x}^{3}{y}^{2})\) . Simplify, if possible.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\(\ {\text{log}}_{4}(2{x}^{3}{y}^{2})\) Use the Product Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}M\cdot N={\text{log}}_{a}M+{\text{log}}_{a}N\) . \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}2+{\text{log}}_{4}{x}^{3}+{\text{log}}_{4}{y}^{2}\) Use the Power Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}{M}^{p}=p\ {\text{log}}_{a}M\) , on the last two terms. \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}2+3{\text{log}}_{4}x+2{\text{log}}_{4}y\) Simplify. \(\ \frac{1}{2}+3{\text{log}}_{4}x+2{\text{log}}_{4}y\) \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}(2{x}^{3}{y}^{2})=\frac{1}{2}+3{\text{log}}_{4}x+2{\text{log}}_{4}y\) -
Use the Properties of Logarithms to expand the logarithm \({\text{log}}_{2}\sqrt[4]{\frac{{x}^{3}}{3{y}^{2}z}}\) . Simplify, if possible.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\(\ {\text{log}}_{2}\sqrt[4]{\frac{{x}^{3}}{3{y}^{2}z}}\) Rewrite the radical with a rational exponent. \(\ {\text{log}}_{2}{(\frac{{x}^{3}}{3{y}^{2}z})}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) Use the Power Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}{M}^{p}=p\ {\text{log}}_{a}M\) . \(\ \frac{1}{4}{\text{log}}_{2}(\frac{{x}^{3}}{3{y}^{2}z})\) Use the Quotient Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}M\cdot N={\text{log}}_{a}M-{\text{log}}_{a}N\) . \(\ \frac{1}{4}({\text{log}}_{2}({x}^{3})-{\text{log}}_{2}(3{y}^{2}z))\) Use the Product Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}M\cdot N={\text{log}}_{a}M+{\text{log}}_{a}N\) , in the second term. \(\ \frac{1}{4}({\text{log}}_{2}({x}^{3})-({\text{log}}_{2}3+{\text{log}}_{2}{y}^{2}+{\text{log}}_{2}z))\) Use the Power Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}{M}^{p}=p\ {\text{log}}_{a}M\) , inside the parentheses. \(\ \frac{1}{4}(3{\text{log}}_{2}x-({\text{log}}_{2}3+2{\text{log}}_{2}y+{\text{log}}_{2}z))\) Simplify by distributing. \(\ \frac{1}{4}(3{\text{log}}_{2}x-{\text{log}}_{2}3-2{\text{log}}_{2}y-{\text{log}}_{2}z)\) \({\text{log}}_{2}\sqrt[4]{\frac{{x}^{3}}{3{y}^{2}z}}=\frac{1}{4}(3{\text{log}}_{2}x-{\text{log}}_{2}3-2{\text{log}}_{2}y-{\text{log}}_{2}z)\) -
Use the Properties of Logarithms to condense the logarithm \({\text{log}}_{4}3+{\text{log}}_{4}x-{\text{log}}_{4}y\) . Simplify, if possible.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
The log expressions all have the same base, 4. \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}3+{\text{log}}_{4}x-{\text{log}}_{4}y\) The first two terms are added, so we use the Product Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}M+{\text{log}}_{a}N={\text{log}}_{a}M\cdot N\) . \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}3x-{\text{log}}_{4}y\) Since the logs are subtracted, we use the Quotient Property, \({\text{log}}_{a}M-{\text{log}}_{a}N={\text{log}}_{a}\frac{M}{N}\) . \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}\frac{3x}{y}\) \(\ {\text{log}}_{4}3+{\text{log}}_{4}x-{\text{log}}_{4}y={\text{log}}_{4}\frac{3x}{y}\) -
Use the properties of logarithms to expand: \({\log }_{3}(9{x}^{5}{y}^{4})\)
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Use the properties of logarithms to expand: \({\log }_{5}\sqrt[3]{\frac{{x}^{5}}{25{y}^{3}z}}\)
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Use the Properties of Logarithms to condense the logarithm: \({\log }_{b}5+{\log }_{b}c-{\log }_{b}b\)
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Use the Properties of Logarithms to condense the logarithm: \(2{\log }_{3}x+3{\log }_{3}(x+1)\)
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Expand \({\log }_{3}(30x(3x+4)).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
We begin by factoring the argument completely, expressing \(30\) as a product of primes.
\[{\log }_{3}(30x(3x+4))={\log }_{3}(2⋅3⋅5⋅x⋅(3x+4))\]Next we write the equivalent equation by summing the logarithms of each factor.
\[{\log }_{3}(30x(3x+4))={\log }_{3}(2)+{\log }_{3}(3)+{\log }_{3}(5)+{\log }_{3}(x)+{\log }_{3}(3x+4)\] -
Expand \({\log }_{b}(8k).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\({\log }_{b}2+{\log }_{b}2+{\log }_{b}2+{\log }_{b}k=3{\log }_{b}2+{\log }_{b}k\)
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Expand \({\log }_{2}(\frac{15x(x-1)}{(3x+4)(2-x)}).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
First we note that the quotient is factored and in lowest terms, so we apply the quotient rule.
\[{\log }_{2}(\frac{15x(x-1)}{(3x+4)(2-x)})={\log }_{2}(15x(x-1))-{\log }_{2}((3x+4)(2-x))\]Notice that the resulting terms are logarithms of products. To expand completely, we apply the product rule, noting that the prime factors of the factor 15 are 3 and 5.
\[\begin{array}{l}{\log }_{2}(15x(x-1))-{\log }_{2}((3x+4)(2-x))=[{\log }_{2}(3)+{\log }_{2}(5)+{\log }_{2}(x)+{\log }_{2}(x-1)]-[{\log }_{2}(3x+4)+{\log }_{2}(2-x)] \\ \ ={\log }_{2}(3)+{\log }_{2}(5)+{\log }_{2}(x)+{\log }_{2}(x-1)-{\log }_{2}(3x+4)-{\log }_{2}(2-x)\end{array}\] -
Expand \({\log }_{3}(\frac{7{x}^{2}+21x}{7x(x-1)(x-2)}).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\({\log }_{3}(x+3)-{\log }_{3}(x-1)-{\log }_{3}(x-2)\)
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Expand \({\log }_{2}{x}^{5}.\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
The argument is already written as a power, so we identify the exponent, 5, and the base, \(x,\) and rewrite the equivalent expression by multiplying the exponent times the logarithm of the base.
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{5})=5{\log }_{2}x\] -
Expand \(\ln {x}^{2}.\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\(2\ln x\)
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Expand \({\log }_{3}(25)\) using the power rule for logs.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
Expressing the argument as a power, we get \({\log }_{3}(25)={\log }_{3}({5}^{2}).\)
Next we identify the exponent, 2, and the base, 5, and rewrite the equivalent expression by multiplying the exponent times the logarithm of the base.
\[{\log }_{3}({5}^{2})=2{\log }_{3}(5)\] -
Expand \(\ln (\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\(-2\ln (x)\)
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Rewrite \(4\ln (x)\) using the power rule for logs to a single logarithm with a leading coefficient of 1.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
Because the logarithm of a power is the product of the exponent times the logarithm of the base, it follows that the product of a number and a logarithm can be written as a power. For the expression \(4\ln (x),\) we identify the factor, 4, as the exponent and the argument, \(x,\) as the base, and rewrite the product as a logarithm of a power: \(4\ln (x)=\ln ({x}^{4}).\)
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Rewrite \(2{\log }_{3}4\) using the power rule for logs to a single logarithm with a leading coefficient of 1.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\({\log }_{3}16\)
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Rewrite \(\ln (\frac{{x}^{4}y}{7})\) as a sum or difference of logs.
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
First, because we have a quotient of two expressions, we can use the quotient rule:
\[\ln (\frac{{x}^{4}y}{7})=\ln ({x}^{4}y)-\ln (7)\]Then seeing the product in the first term, we use the product rule:
\[\ln ({x}^{4}y)-\ln (7)=\ln ({x}^{4})+\ln (y)-\ln (7)\]Finally, we use the power rule on the first term:
\[\ln ({x}^{4})+\ln (y)-\ln (7)=4\ln (x)+\ln (y)-\ln (7)\] -
Expand \(\log (\frac{{x}^{2}{y}^{3}}{{z}^{4}}).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\(2\log x+3\log y-4\log z\)
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Expand \(\log (\sqrt{x}).\)
Mengungkapkan jawabannya
\[\begin{array}{ll}\log (\sqrt{x}) & =\log {x}^{(\frac{1}{2})} \\ & =\frac{1}{2}\log x\end{array}\] -
Expand \(\ln (\sqrt[3]{{x}^{2}}).\)
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\(\frac{2}{3}\ln x\)
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Expand \({\log }_{6}(\frac{64{x}^{3}(4x+1)}{(2x-1)}).\)
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We can expand by applying the Product and Quotient Rules.
\[\begin{array}{lll}{\log }_{6}(\frac{64{x}^{3}(4x+1)}{(2x-1)}) & ={\log }_{6}64+{\log }_{6}{x}^{3}+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & \text{Apply the Quotient Rule}. \\ & ={\log }_{6}{2}^{6}+{\log }_{6}{x}^{3}+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & {\text{Simplify by writing 64 as 2}}^{6}. \\ & =6{\log }_{6}2+3{\log }_{6}x+{\log }_{6}(4x+1)-{\log }_{6}(2x-1) & \text{Apply the Power Rule}.\end{array}\] -
Expand \(\ln (\frac{\sqrt{(x-1){(2x+1)}^{2}}}{({x}^{2}-9)}).\)
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\(\frac{1}{2}\ln (x-1)+\ln (2x+1)-\ln (x+3)-\ln (x-3)\)
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Write \({\log }_{3}(5)+{\log }_{3}(8)-{\log }_{3}(2)\) as a single logarithm.
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Using the product and quotient rules
\[{\log }_{3}(5)+{\log }_{3}(8)={\log }_{3}(5⋅8)={\log }_{3}(40)\]This reduces our original expression to
\[{\log }_{3}(40)-{\log }_{3}(2)\]Then, using the quotient rule
\[{\log }_{3}(40)-{\log }_{3}(2)={\log }_{3}(\frac{40}{2})={\log }_{3}(20)\] -
Condense \(\log 3-\log 4+\log 5-\log 6.\)
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\(\log (\frac{3⋅5}{4⋅6});\) can also be written \(\log (\frac{5}{8})\) by reducing the fraction to lowest terms.
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Condense \({\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+\frac{1}{2}{\log }_{2}(x-1)-3{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{2}).\)
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We apply the power rule first:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+\frac{1}{2}{\log }_{2}(x-1)-3{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{2})={\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+{\log }_{2}(\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})\]Next we apply the product rule to the sum:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2})+{\log }_{2}(\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})={\log }_{2}({x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})\]Finally, we apply the quotient rule to the difference:
\[{\log }_{2}({x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1})-{\log }_{2}({(x+3)}^{6})={\log }_{2}\frac{{x}^{2}\sqrt{x-1}}{{(x+3)}^{6}}\] -
Rewrite \(\log (5)+0.5\log (x)-\log (7x-1)+3\log (x-1)\) as a single logarithm.
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\(\log (\frac{5{(x-1)}^{3}\sqrt{x}}{(7x-1)})\)
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Rewrite \(2\log x-4\log (x+5)+\frac{1}{x}\log (3x+5)\) as a single logarithm.
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We apply the power rule first:
\[2\log x-4\log (x+5)+\frac{1}{x}\log (3x+5)=\log ({x}^{2})-\log {(x+5)}^{4}+\log ({(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}})\]Next we rearrange and apply the product rule to the sum:
\[\log ({x}^{2})-\log {(x+5)}^{4}+\log ({(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}})\]\[=\log ({x}^{2})+\log ({(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}})-\log {(x+5)}^{4}\]\[=\log ({x}^{2}{(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}})-\log {(x+5)}^{4}\]Finally, we apply the quotient rule to the difference:
\[=\log ({x}^{2}{(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}})-{\log (x+5)}^{4}=\log \frac{{x}^{2}{(3x+5)}^{{x}^{-1}}}{{(x+5)}^{4}}\] -
Condense \(4(3\log (x)+\log (x+5)-\log (2x+3)).\)
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\(\log \frac{{x}^{12}{(x+5)}^{4}}{{(2x+3)}^{4}};\) this answer could also be written \(\log {(\frac{{x}^{3}(x+5)}{(2x+3)})}^{4}.\)
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Recall that, in chemistry, \(\text{pH}=-\log [{H}^{+}].\) If the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liquid is doubled, what is the effect on pH?
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Suppose \(C\) is the original concentration of hydrogen ions, and \(P\) is the original pH of the liquid. Then \(P=-\log (C).\) If the concentration is doubled, the new concentration is \(2C.\) Then the pH of the new liquid is
\[\text{pH}=-\log (2C)\]Using the product rule of logs
\[\text{pH}=-\log (2C)=-(\log (2)+\log (C))=-\log (2)-\log (C)\]Since \(P=-\log (C),\) the new pH is
\[\text{pH}=P-\log (2)\approx P-0.301\]When the concentration of hydrogen ions is doubled, the pH decreases by about 0.301.
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How does the pH change when the concentration of positive hydrogen ions is decreased by half?
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The pH increases by about 0.301.
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Change \({\log }_{5}3\) to a quotient of natural logarithms.
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Because we will be expressing \({\log }_{5}3\) as a quotient of natural logarithms, the new base, \(n=e.\)
We rewrite the log as a quotient using the change-of-base formula. The numerator of the quotient will be the natural log with argument 3. The denominator of the quotient will be the natural log with argument 5.
\[\begin{array}{ll}{\log }_{b}M & =\frac{\ln M}{\ln b} \\ {\log }_{5}3 & =\frac{\ln 3}{\ln 5}\end{array}\]
Symbols used here
The non-negative number whose square (n-th power) is x.
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
The two sides are different.
Both signs at once: x = 3 ± 2 means 5 and 1.
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.
Distance from zero: |−3| = 3. For a complex number, distance from the origin.
i² = −1.
Naturals, integers, rationals, reals, complex numbers.
How to: Logarithmic Properties
- Use the product rule for logarithms.
- Use the quotient rule for logarithms.
- Use the power rule for logarithms.
- Expand logarithmic expressions.
- Condense logarithmic expressions.
- Use the change-of-base formula for logarithms.
- Simplify expressions using the properties for exponents. (IA 5.2.1)
- Use the properties of logarithms. (IA 10.4.1)
Questions people ask
What does it mean to solve an equation?
To find every value of the unknown that makes both sides equal. Each step is an operation applied to both sides that keeps the solution set the same, until the unknown stands alone.
Why do I sometimes get two answers?
A quadratic can cross the axis twice, so it can have two solutions. A degree-n polynomial has up to n. The graph shows where each one comes from.
How do I know whether to factor or use the quadratic formula?
Try factoring for a few seconds: look for two numbers that multiply to a·c and add to b. If nothing obvious appears, the discriminant b² − 4ac tells you how many real roots there are, and the formula finds them without guessing.
Cobalah sendiri
Parts of this page are adapted from OpenStax College Algebra 2e (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Condensed and re-explained here; errors are ours.
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