Logarithmic Functions

A logarithm is a quantity representing the power to which a fixed number

(the base) must be raised to produce a given number.

For example, the base ten logarithm of 100 is 2, because ten raised to the power of two is 100:
log 100 = 2 because 102 = 100
This is an example of a base-ten logarithm. We call it a base ten logarithm because ten is the number
that is raised to a power. It can be called as Common Logarithms.

The base unit is the number being raised to a power. There are logarithms using different base units.
If you wanted, you could use two as a base unit. For instance, the base two logarithm of eight is three,
because two raised to the power of three equals eight:
log2 8 = 3 because 23 = 8

In general, you write log followed by the base number as a subscript. The most common
logarithms are base 10 logarithms and natural logarithms; they have special notations. A
base ten log is written as log, without a subscript, and a base ten logarithmic equation is usually
written in the form: log a = r
A natural logarithm or logarithm with base e is written ln and a natural logarithmic equation is usually
written in the form: ln a = r

Logarithmic Function

f(x)= log 𝑏 𝑥
Properties of Logarithms
Let b and x be real numbers such that b>0 and b≠1

1. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝟏 = 𝟎
2. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒃𝒙 = 𝒙
3. If x>0, then 𝒃𝐥𝐨𝐠𝒃 𝒙 = 𝒙

Operations on Logarithms
Let b>0, and b≠1 and let n be a real number, for u>0, v>o, then

1. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 (𝒖𝒗) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗

𝒖
2. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 ( ) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗
𝒗
3. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖𝒏 = 𝒏 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖
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"Loudness" is measured in decibels. The formula for the loudness of a sound is given by "dB = 10log[ I ÷ I0 ]"
where I0 is the intensity of "threshold sound", or sound that can barely be perceived. Other sounds are defined
in terms of how many times more intense they are than threshold sound. For instance, a cat's purr is about 316
times as intense as threshold sound, for a decibel rating of:

Db = 10log[ I ÷ I0 ]
= 10log[ (316 I0) ÷ I0 ]
= 10log[ 316 ]
= 24.9968708262...,

...or 25 decibels.
Considering that prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can cause hearing damage or loss, and
considering that a gunshot from a .22 rimfire rifle has an intensity of about I = (2.5 ×1013)I0, should you follow
the rules and wear ear protection when relaxing at the rifle range?

I need to evaluate the decibel equation at I = (2.5 ×1013)I0:

Db = 10log[ I ÷ I0 ]
= 10log[ (2.5 ×1013)I0 ÷ I0 ]
= 10log[2.5 ×1013]
= 133.979400087...

In other words, my rifle creates a noise level of about 134 decibels. Since this is well above the level at which I
can suffer hearing damage,

I should follow the rules and wear ear protection.

  Chemists define the acidity or alkalinity of a substance according to the formula "pH = –log[H+]" where
[H+] is the hydrogen ion concentration, measured in moles per liter. Solutions with a pH value of less
than 7 are acidic; solutions with a pH value of greater than 7 are basic; solutions with a pH of 7 (such as
pure water) are neutral.
a) Suppose that you test apple juice and find that the hydrogen ion concentration is [H+] = 0.0003. Find the pH
value and determine whether the juice is basic or acidic.

b) You test some ammonia and determine the hydrogen ion concentration to be [H+] = 1.3 × 10–9. Find the pH
value and determine whether the ammonia is basic or acidic.

In each case, I need to evaluate the pH function at the given value of [H+].

a) In the case of the apple juice, the hydrogen ion concentration is [H+] = 0.0003, so:

pH = –log[H+] = –log[0.0003] = 3.52287874528...

...which is less than 7, so this is acidic.

b) In the case of the ammonia, the hydrogen ion concentration is [H+] = 1.3 × 10–9, so:

pH = –log[H+] = –log[1.3 × 10–9] = 8.88605664769...

...which is more than 7, so this is basic.

The juice is acidic with a pH of about 3.5,

and the ammonia is basic with a pH of about 8.9.