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Logarithm Part 1

Updated: Jun 22, 2021


Dear students of Math Lobby, we will be covering Logarithm Part 1 today. Logarithm is covered in Additional Math (A Math) for Secondary 3 students.



Logarithm is a complex chapter to many students due to its unique laws. Hence, do pay close attention to what we are covering on today!



In this note, you will learn:


1) What is logarithm and how is it related to exponentials?

2) Relationship between laws of logarithm and indices



1) What is logarithm and how is it related to exponentials?


In the context of mathematics, logarithm is the inverse function to exponentiation. This means that the logarithm of a number or what we call index, x, is the exponent (power) of another fixed number, the base a, must be raised to in order to produce the number x.



Let’s take a look at how it works below:




Note: The reason why a must always be a positive number (except for 1) is because if we take a to be 1, in its exponential form we will end up with 1 to the power of x, which will be 1 in any case.



This does not make any mathematical sense because we are will never be able to obtain the value of y regardless of the power we raise a to.



a can also never be 0, because similar to the reason given above, 0 to the power of x will still give us 0, which does not make any mathematical sense either.



a can also never be negative, because if we were to set the value of y to be ½, it will essentially be the square root of a negative number. In this context where complex numbers are not involved, this will also be deemed as mathematically illogical.


2) Relationship between laws of logarithm and indices


Since we now know the relationship between logarithm and exponential, there are certain laws in indices which can be adopted to suit logarithm. We can take a look at it below:


a) Power Law: (a^m)^n= a^(mn) -> loga x^r = r loga x

b) Product Law: a^m x a^n = a^(m+n) -> loga x + loga y = loga xy

c) Quotient Law: a^m/a^n = a^(m-n) -> loga x – loga y = loga (x/y)

d) Change of Base Law: loga b = (logc b)/(logc a)


Explanation:


a) Power Law


The first law we will be going through is the power law. Let’s take a look on how to proof it:


First of all, we will let loga x be equals to m,


So, in exponential form, it will be: a^m = x


Then, we raise the equation to the power of n, and then log both sides with the base a:

(a^m)n = xn


loga (a^(mn)) = loga (x^n)


Now, we will apply a special property of logarithm: When the argument of a logarithm is the same as the base, the answer will be 1. i.e. loga a = 1


Therefore, mn = loga x^n


And after we substitute loga x = m back into the equation, we will get:


n loga x = loga x^n


Example:


a) log4 64 = log4 (4^3)

= 3 log4 (4)

= 3

b) 4 + log3 (5)

= 4 log3 (3) + log3 (5)

= log3 (3^4) + log3 (5)

= log3 (81) + log3 (5)

= log3 (81 x 5)

= log3 (405)

b) Product Law


Next, we will be taking a look at the product law. Let’s see how its done:


Let loga x be equals to m, and loga y be equals to n,


In exponential form, it will look like this: a^m = x, a^n = y


Hence, xy = a^m x a^n


By law of indices: xy = a^(m+n)


And now we will log both sides of the equation with base a: loga (xy) = loga (a^(m+n))


By using the special property of logarithm,


Therefore, loga (xy) = m + n


And hence, loga (xy) = loga x + loga y

Example: lg 404 + lg 5 = lg (404 x 5)

= lg 2020

c) Quotient Law


Thirdly, we will take a look at the quotient law. Let’s see how it’s done:


Let loga x be equals to m, and loga y be equals to n,

In exponential form, it will look like this: a^m = x, a^n = y


Hence, x/y = a^m/ a^n


By law of indices: x/y = a^(m-n)


And now we will log both sides of the equation with base a: loga (x/y) = loga (a^(m-n))


By using the special property of logarithm,


Therefore, loga (x/y) = m - n


And hence, loga (x/y) = loga x - loga y

Example: log3 (18) – log3 (6) = log3 (18/ 6)

= log3 (3)

= 1


d) Change of base law

Last but not least, we will take a look at the change of base law.


Let loga b be equals to y,


In exponential form, it will look like this: a^y = b


Then, we will log both sides with the base we want to change it to, in this example, we will use log of base c:


logc (a^y) = logc (b)


And by power law, we can bring the y from the power to the front, and divide both sides by log of base c:


y [logc (a)/logc (a)] = logc (b)/logc a


And this gives us:


y = logc (b)/logc (a)


loga b = logc (b)/logc (a)

Example: Let x = log4 (24),


Hence, in exponential form, 4^x = 24


Taking lg on both sides, lg(4^x) = lg (24)

x lg (4) = lg (24)

Therefore, x = lg (24)/ lg (4)

= 2.29 (3 s.f)


And that’s all for today, students! Do note that this is only the first part of the article, and there will be a part two coming up next, so stay tuned to find out!



Math Lobby hopes that after this article, you have a clear understanding on the topic of logarithm and its relation with exponentials, and is equipped with the necessary skills to deal with questions involving logarithmic functions and application of the logarithmic laws!



If you have any pending questions, please do go on to our Facebook page, Instagram or contact us directly at Math Lobby! We have certified mathematics tutors to aid you in your journey to becoming a better student!



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