Surds and Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

1 Surds

1.1 Simplifying expressions involving surds

1.1.1 Laws of Surds. If a  0 and b  0 , then

 Law 1: ab  a  b
a a
 Law 2: 
b b
 a
2
 Law 3:  a  a  a 2  a (Special case of Law 1)

1.1.2 Example 1. Simplifying surds. Simplify each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) 2 8

216
(b)
6

(c) 18

1.1.3 Example 2. Simplify each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) 27  3

125
(b)
5

(c) 12

80  12
(d)
 16 
2

1.1.4 Example 3. Adding surds. Simplify 32  50 without using a calculator.

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1.1.5 Example 4. Simplify each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) 75  108

(b) 80  20

(c) 24  54  216

  
1.1.6 Example 5. Multiplying surds. Simplify 3  5 2 4  2 without using a calculator.

1.1.7 Example 6. Simplify each of the following without using a calculator.

(a)  7  2 3 5  3 

4  3 2 
2
(b)

(c) 3  2 5 3  2 5 

3 
2
(d) 64 2

1.1.8 Conjugate surds. In general, if p , q and a are rational numbers, and a  0 , then:

 The product of conjugate surds, p  q a and p  q a , is a rational number.

 Special Case: The conjugate surd of a is itself.

1.1.9 Rationalising the denominator. To rationalise the denominator, we multiply the surd in the
denominator by its conjugate surd.

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1.1.10 Example 7. Rationalising the denominator. Simplify each of the following by rationalising
the denominator.

6
(a)
5

7
(b)
2 3

1.1.11 Example 8. Simplify each of the following by rationalising the denominator.

12
(a)
3

22
(b)
4 5

5
(c)
2 6 3

5 7
(d) 
43 3 3 3  4

  6
2
1.1.12 Example 9. Express 4  6  in the form a  b 6 , where a and b are integers.
3 6

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4
1.1.13 Example 10. Given that hk 5  , where h and k are rational numbers, find
3  5 
2

the value of h and of k

1.1.14 Example 11. Solving equation involving surds. The solution of the equation
p q
x 12  x 7  3 is . Find the values of the integers p and q .
5

1.1.15 Example 12. The solution of the equation x 8  x 6  2 is p  q . Find the values of
the integers p and q .

1.1.16 Equality of surds. If a  b n  p  q n , where a , b , p , q and n are rational numbers,

then a  p and b  q . (Note: n must be irrational)

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1.1.17 Example 13. Simple problem involving equality of surds. Given that a  5 3  7  b 3 ,
where a and b are rational numbers, find the value of a and of b .

1.1.18 Example 14. Given that  

5  a  4 1  2b 5 , where a and b are rational numbers, find
the value of a and of b .

1.1.19 Example 15. Find the value of h and of k that satisfies the equation  7  2h  2  6  k .

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1.1.20 Example 16. More complicated problem involving equality of surds. Given that

 p  q 5
2
 29  12 5 ,

where p and q are rational numbers, find the possible pairs of values of p and q .

 
2
1.1.21 Example 17. Given that p  q 3  48  24 3 , where p and q are rational numbers,
find the possible pairs of values of p and q .

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1.1.22 Example 18. Given that a 7  5  137  b 7 , where a and b are integers, find the value
of a and of b .


1.1.23 Example 19. Problem involving surds. A triangle is such that its area is 3  2 cm 2 and
the length of its base is  
2  1 cm . Without using a calculator, find its height in the form

 a  b 2  cm , where a and b are integers.

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   
1.1.24 Example 20. A rectangle is such that its area is 7  3 cm 2 and its length is 5  3 cm .

 
Without using a calculator, find the breadth of the rectangle in the form a  b 3 cm ,
where a and b are rational numbers.

1.1.25 Example 21. A cuboid has a square base. The length of each side of the base is
   
2  3 cm and the volume of the cuboid is 15  6 3 cm3 . Find the height of the cuboid

 
in the form p  q 3 cm , where p and q are integers.

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1.1.26 Example 22. Solving equation involving surds that requires squaring. Solve the equation

x2  3  2 x .

1.1.27 Example 23. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) 40  x 2  3 x

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(b) 3  4x  2x

(c) 3x  6  3 x  4  0

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2 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

2.1 Exponential expressions and equations (Indices)

2.1.1 Indices (definitions)

 Definition 1: a 0  1 , where a  0 .
1
 Definition 2: a  n  n , where a  0 and n is a positive integer.
a
1
 Definition 3: a  a , where a  0 and n is a positive integer.
n n

 a
m
 n a m , where a  0 and m and n are positive integers.
m
 Special Result: a n  n

2.1.2 Law of Indices. If bases a and b are positive real numbers, and indices m and n are real
numbers, then

 Law 1: a m  a n  a m  n
 Law 2: a m  a n  a mn
 Law 3: a 
m n
 a mn  a mn
 Law 4: a n  b n   a  b    ab 
n n

Law 5: a n  b n   a  b    ba 
n

n

2.1.3 Example 24. Simplifying exponential expressions. Without using a calculator, simplify the
3

 1  2
 3
3
exponential expression     94 .
 27 

2.1.4 Example 25. Without using a calculator, simplify each of the following exponential
expressions.

3 2

   1 
3 
(a) 7  343    2

 49 

81x 1  92 x 1
(b)
3x  4  27 x  2

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n
 1
2.1.5 The mathematical constant e . e  lim 1    2.7182818284
n   n

2.1.6 Conditions and properties of y  a x .

 For y  a x to be defined for all real values of x ,

o a0
o a 1
 If a  0 , then y  a x  0 for all real values of x .

2.1.7 Exponential equations. If a x  a n , then x  n , where a  1 , 0 , 1.

2.1.8 Example 26. Solving exponential equations. Solve each of the following exponential
equations.

1
(a) 52 y  3 y 
75

 z 1
1
 3
2z
(b)     36
3

2.1.9 Example 27. Solve each of the following equations.

1
(a) 22 a  3a 
144

1
(b) 100b 
1000

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8
(c) 3q  3q 2 
3

2
(d) 61 x  1

2.1.10 Example 28. Solving exponential equations using substitution. Solve the equation

9 x 1  1  8  3x  .

2.1.11 Example 29. Solve the equation 4 x 1  2  7  2 x  .

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2.1.12 Example 30. Using the substitution u  3x ,

(i) express the equation 27 x  2  3x   1  34 as a cubic equation in u ,

(ii) show that u  3 is the only real solution of this equation,

(iii) hence solve the equation 27 x  2  3x   1  34 .

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2.1.13 Example 31. Solving simultaneous exponential equations. Solve the simultaneous
equations 2 x  4 y  18 and 9 x  3 y1  27 .

2.1.14 Example 32. Solve the simultaneous equations

1 8x
3x  9 y  and y1  8
3 2

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2.1.15 Example 33. The equation of a curve is given by y  ka x , where a and k are constants.
Given that the curve passes through  2, 16  ,  3, 32  and  5, p  , find the values of a , k and
p.

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2.2 Introduction to logarithms

2.2.1 In general,

y  ax  log a y  x , where a  0 and a  1 , and y  0 .

2.2.2 Example 34. Converting exponential form into logarithmic form. Convert 10 x  70 into
logarithmic form.

2.2.3 Example 35. Convert each of the following into logarithmic form.

(a) 103  1000

(b) 4 x  10

(c) 10 y  80

n
1
(d)   7
2

 3
p
(e)  7.16

5
(f) aq 
4

2.2.4 Example 36. Converting logarithmic form into exponential form. Convert log 2 3  x into
exponential form.

2.2.5 Example 37. Convert each of the following into exponential form.

(a) log 8 5  x

1
(b) log 3 x 
7

1
(c) log 4  2
16

(d) log 4 x  7
3

(e) log n 3.8  k

(f) log a y  x

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a
2.2.6 Example 38. If log 3 a  x , log 81 b  y and  3c , express c in terms of x and y .
b

2.2.7 Common logarithms. In line with ISO standards, lg x represents log10 x .

Note: Some calculators use log x to represent log10 x .

2.2.8 Natural logarithms. The short form for log e x is ln x . (Pronounced as “lawn x ”.)

2.2.9 Example 39. Solving simple logarithmic equations. Solve each of the following logarithmic
equations.

(a) ln  2 x   3

(b) log a 16  2

2.2.10 Example 40. Solve each of the following logarithmic equations.

(a) ln  3x   7

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(b) log a 36  2

(c) log z  2  z   2

2.2.11 Properties of Logarithms. If a  0 and a  1 , then

 Property 1: log a 1  0
 Property 2: log a a  1

2.2.12 Example 41. Simplify each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) log 2 1  3log 4 4

5  log a a   8ln1  9 ln e
7
(b)

2.3 Laws of Logarithms and Change of Base Formula

2.3.1 Product Law of Logarithms:

log a x  log a y  log a  xy  , where x , y , a  0 , a  1 .

2.3.2 Example 42. Applying Product Law of Logarithms. Simply lg 404  lg 5 without using a
calculator.

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2.3.3 Example 43. Complete the following without using a calculator.

(a) lg 2  lg 3  lg    lg _____
(b) lg 20  lg 20  lg _____  lg _____

(c) lg 5  lg 12  lg _____  lg _____

(d) lg m  lg n  lg _____

2.3.4 Example 44. Simplify each of the following if possible.

(a) log 2 3  log 2 7

(b) ln  2 p   ln q  ln  5q 

(c) log 5 8  log 6 9

(d) log 4 0.5  log 4 8

2.3.5 Quotient Law of Logarithms:

x
log a x  log a y  log a   , where x , y , a  0 , a  1 .
 y

2.3.6 Example 45. Applying Quotient Law of Logarithms. Simplify log 3 18  log 3 6 .

2.3.7 Example 46. Simplify each of the following if possible.

(a) log 5 20  log 5 4

(b) ln10  lg e

(c) log 7 3  lg 6

(d) log a  8m   log a  2m   log a 9

2.3.8 Power Law of Logarithms:

log a  x r   r log a x , where x , a  0 , a  1 and r is any real number.

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2.3.9 Example 47. Applying Power Law of Logarithms.

(a) Simplify log 4 64 .

(b) Express 4  log 3 5 as a single term involving logarithms.

2.3.10 Example 48. Evaluate each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) log 3 81

(b) 5log 3 9  2 log 3 27

(c) log 5 3  log5 10  log5 6

2.3.11 Example 49. Express each of the following as a single logarithm.

(a) 3  log 2 7

1
(b) 2  ln
3

(c) log a  a 4   log 3 0.2

2.3.12 Change of Base Formula. In general:

log c b
log a b  , where a , b , c  0 and a , c  1 .
log c a

Special case:

1
log a b  , where a , b  0 and a , b  1 .
log b a

2.3.13 Example 50. Simplifying logarithms using Change of Base Formula. Find the value of
log 3 16  log 4 10  lg 3 without using a calculator.

2.3.14 Example 51. Find the value of each of the following without using a calculator.

(a) log 5 8  log 2 10  lg 5

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log 7 4  log 2 9
(b)
log 49 3

(c) log 5 3  4 log 3 5

(d) ln 8  5log 2 e

(e) log 2 10  lg 3 2

(f) log a 9  log 27 a

2.3.15 Example 52. Finding value of logarithmic term. Given that log 2 3  1.585 (to four s.f.) and
log 2 5  2.322 (to four s.f.), evaluate log 2 45 without using a calculator, leaving your
answer to three significant figures.

2.3.16 Example 53. Given that log 2 3  1.585 (to four s.f.) and log 2 5  2.322 (to four s.f.),
evaluate each of the following without using a calculator, leaving your answer to three
significant figures.

(a) log 2 375

(b) log 2 0.12

125
(c) log 2
9

log 2 125
(d)
log 2 9

2.3.17 Example 54. Given that lg 2  n , express each of the following in terms of n .

(a) log 1 10
4

(b) log 8 5

1
(c) lg
5

(d) lg 20

2.4 Logarithmic and exponential equations

2.4.1 Equality of logarithms:

If log a p  log a q , then p  q where a , p , q  0 and a  1 .

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2.4.2 Example 55. Solving logarithmic equation with same base. Solve the equation

log 3  x  4   log3  2  x   log3  2  3x  .

2.4.3 Example 56. Solve the equation log 2  x  11  log 2  x  4   log 2  5 x  23 .

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2.4.4 Example 57. Solving logarithmic equation with same base. Solve the equation

2 lg x  lg  x  20   1 .

2.4.5 Example 58. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) 2 lg x  lg  2 x  30   1

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(b) log 4  y 2   log 4  y  2   3

2.4.6 Example 59. Solving logarithmic equation with different bases. Solve the equation

log 2 x  25log x 2 .

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2.4.7 Example 60. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) log 4 x  9 log x 4

(b) log 3 y  log 9 y  7

 4x  3  1
(c) log100    lg  2 x   lg
 3  3

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2.4.8 Example 61. Solving exponential equations that cannot be converted to same base. Solve
each of the following equations.

(a) e3 x 1  8

(b) 5 y2  7

2.4.9 Example 62. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) e 2 x 3  6

(b) 101 y  14

(c) e2 x  e x  6  0

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(d) 2 x  32 x  5  7 x

2.4.10 Example 63. Solving simultaneous logarithmic equations. Solve the simultaneous
equations: log 5  2 x  y   1 and lg x  lg y  lg 3  2lg 2 .

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2.4.11 Example 64. Solve the following pairs of simultaneous equations.

(a) log 4  x  2 y   0 and lg  x  1  2lg y

(b) log 3  3x  y  5   2 and ln 11  y   ln x  ln 2

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2.4.12 Example 65. Simplifying exponential expression containing logarithm in its index.
Simplify 10lg 7

2.4.13 Example 66. Simplify each of the following.

(a) eln 5

(b) 2log 2 9

2.5 Exponential and logarithmic functions and graphs

2.5.1 Example 67. Sketching exponential graph and solving equation graphically.

(i) Sketch the graph of y  e x .

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(ii) In order to solve the equation 1

2 x  ln 5  x , a suitable straight line has to be drawn
on the same set of axes as the graph of y  e x . Find the equation of the straight line
and the number of solutions.

2.5.2 Example 68.

x
1
(i) Sketch the graph of y    .
4

1 1
(ii) In order to solve the equation log 4  x , a suitable straight line has to be
x3 2
x
1
drawn on the same set of axes as the graph of y    . Find the equation of the
4
straight line and the number of solutions.

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2.5.3 Example 69. Sketching logarithmic graph and solving equation graphically.

(i) Sketch the graph of y  ln x .

(ii) In order to solve the equation e x 3  x 2 , a suitable straight line has to be drawn on the
same set of axes as the graph of y  ln x . Find the equation of the straight line and
the number of solutions.

2.5.4 Example 70.

(i) Sketch the graph of y  lg x .

10000
(ii) In order to solve the equation 10 x  , a suitable straight line has to be drawn
x3
on the same set of axes as the graph of y  lg x . Find the equation of the straight
line and the number of solutions.

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2.6 Applications of logarithmc and exponential functions

2.6.1 Example 71. pH value. pH measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. Pure water is
neutral with a pH of 7. Solutions with a pH of less than 7 are acidic while solutions with a
pH of more than 7 are alkaline. The formula for pH is: pH   lg  aH  , where aH is the
concentration of hydrogen ions in units of moles per litre.

(i) In a solution, aH  0.03 . Find its pH. Is the solutions acidic or alkaline?

(ii) An alkaline solution has a pH of 12.7. Find aH  .

(iii) Suppose solution X has twice the value of aH  as solution Y , what is the difference
in their pH values?

2.6.2 Example 72. Exponential growth. Growth of bacteria. The number of bacteria, N , in a
petri dish after t days , can be modelled by the exponential equation N  N 0 a t , where N 0
and a are constants.

(i) The initial number of bacteria is 17. Find the value of N 0 .

(ii) After two days, there are 68 bacteria. Calculate the value of a .

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(iii) Given that the number of bacteria exceeds 300 after k days , where k is in an integer,
find the value of k .

(iv) Predict the number of bacteria after six days.

(v) After six days, the number of bacteria is found to be only 986. Suggest two reasons
why the actual number of bacteria is different from the number predicted by the
equation.

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2.6.3 Example 73. Depreciation of value of asset. A man bought a new car. The value, $V , of
the car will depreciate so that after t months , its value can be modelled by V  50 000e  kt ,
where k is a constant. The value of the car after twelve months is expected to be $40 000 .

(i) Find the initial value of the car.

(ii) Calculate the expected value of the car after twenty months.

(iii) Given that the value of the car first drops below $20 000 after n months , where n is
an integer, find the value of n .

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