Worksheet 2.

7 Logarithms and Exponentials

Section 1 Logarithms

The mathematics of logarithms and exponentials occurs naturally in many branches of science.
It is very important in solving problems related to growth and decay. The growth and decay
may be that of a plant or a population, a crystalline structure or money in the bank. Therefore
we need to have some understanding of the way in which logs and exponentials work.

Definition: If x and b are positive numbers and b =

6 1 then the logarithm of x to the base b is
the power to which b must be raised to equal x. It is written logb x. In algebraic terms this
means that

if y = logb x then
x = by

The formula y = logb x is said to be written in logarithmic form and x = by is said to be written
in exponential form. In working with these problems it is most important to remember that
y = logb x and x = by are equivalent statements.

Example 1 : If log4 x = 2 then

x = 42
x = 16

Example 2 : We have 25 = 52 . Then log5 25 = 2.

1
Example 3 : If log9 x = 2
then
1
x = 92
√
x = 9
x = 3
 y
Example 4 : If log2 3
= 4 then
y
= 24
3
y
= 16
3
y = 16 × 3
y = 48

Exercises:

1. Write the following in exponential form:

(a) log3 x = 9 (d) log4 x = 3
(b) log2 8 = x (e) log2 y = 5
(c) log3 27 = x (f) log5 y = 2

2. Write the following in logarithm form:

(a) y = 34 (d) y = 35
(b) 27 = 3x (e) 32 = x5
(c) m = 42 (f) 64 = 4x

3. Solve the following:

x
(a) log3 x = 4 (d) log2 2
=5
(b) logm 81 = 4 (e) log3 y = 5
(c) logx 1000 = 3 (f) log2 4x = 5

Section 2 Properties of Logs

Logs have some very useful properties which follow from their definition and the equivalence
of the logarithmic form and exponential form. Some useful properties are as follows:
logb mn = logb m + logb n
m
logb = logb m − logb n
n
logb ma = a logb m
logb m = logb n if and only if m=n

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Note that for all of the above properties we require that b > 0, b 6= 1, and m, n > 0. Note also
that logb 1 = 0 for any b 6= 0 since b0 = 1. In addition, logb b = 1 since b1 = b. We can apply
these properties to simplify logarithmic expressions.

Example 1 :
xy
logb = logb xy − logb z
z
= logb x + logb y − logb z

Example 2 :

log5 5p = p log5 5
= p×1
= p

Example 3 :

1 1
log2 (8x) 3 = log2 8x
3
1
= [log2 8 + log2 x]
3
1
= [3 + log2 x]
3
1
= 1 + log2 x
3

Example 4 : Find x if

1
2 logb 5 + logb 9 − logb 3 = logb x
2

1
logb 52 + logb 9 2 − logb 3 = logb x
logb 25 + logb 3 − logb 3 = logb x
logb 25 = logb x
x = 25

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Solving Logarithmic Equations

Deciding How to Solve Logarithmic Equation

When asked to solve a logarithmic equation such as log 2 (5x + 7) = 5 or log 3 (7x + 3) = log 3 (5x + 9), the first
thing we need to decide is how to solve the problem. Some logarithmic problems are solved by simply
dropping the logarithms while others are solved by rewriting the logarithmic problem in exponential form.
How do we decide what is the correct way to solve a logarithmic problem? The key is to look at the problem
and decide if the problem contains only logarithms or if the problem has terms without logarithms.

If we consider the problem log 2 (5x + 7) = 5, this problem contains a term, 5, that does not have a logarithm.
So, the correct way to solve these types of logarithmic problems is to rewrite the logarithmic problem in
exponential form. If we consider the example log 3 (7x + 3) = log 3 (5x + 9), this problem contains only
logarithms. So, the correct way to solve these types of logarithmic problems is to simply drop the
logarithms.

Properties of Logarithms Revisited

When solving logarithmic equation, we may need to use the properties of logarithms to simplify the
problem first. The properties of logarithms are listed below as a reminder.

Properties for Condensing Logarithms

Property 1: 0 = log a 1 – Zero­Exponent Rule

Property 2: 1 = log a a

Property 3: log a x + log a y = log a (xy) – Product Rule

æxö
Property 4: log a x - log a y = log a ç ÷ – Quotient Rule
èyø
Property 5: y log a x = log a x y – Power Rule

Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Only Logarithms

After observing that the logarithmic equation contains only logarithms, what is the next step?

One­To­One Property of Logarithms

If log b M = log b N, then M = N.

This statement says that if an equation contains only two logarithms, on opposite sides of the equal sign,
with the same base then the problem can be solved by simply dropping the logarithms.
Let’s finish solving the problem log 3 (7x + 3) = log3 (5x + 9).

log3 (7x + 3) = log3 (5x + 9). Since the problem has only two logarithms on opposite
sides of the equal sign, the problem can be solved by
dropping the logarithms.

7x + 3 = 5x + 9 Drop the logarithms.

x=3 Finish solving by subtracting 5x from each side, subtracting

3 from each side, and finally dividing each side by 2.

x=3 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we

get a positive number when it is plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log 3 (7x + 3) = log3 (5x + 9) is x = 3.

Here is another example, solve log 7 (x - 2) + log 7 (x + 3) = log 7 14.

log 7 ((x - 2)(x + 3)) = log 7 14 This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.

(x - 2)(x + 3) = 14 Drop the logarithms.

x 2 - x - 6 = 14 Simplify the problem by distributing or FOILing and

combining like terms.

x 2 - x - 20 = 0 Solve the problem by subtracting 14 from each to get it

equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic
(x + 4)(x - 5) = 0 formula to find the values of x.
x = -4 or x = 5

x=5 Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable because

the other answer produces a negative number when it is
plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log 7 (x - 2) + log 7 (x + 3) = log 7 14 is x = 5.

Now that we have looked at a couple of examples of solving logarithmic equations containing only
logarithms, let’s list the steps for solving logarithmic equations containing only logarithms.
 Steps for Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Only Logarithms

Step 1: Determine if the problem contains only logarithms. If so, go to Step 2. If not, stop and use
the Steps for Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Terms without Logarithms.

Step 2: Use the properties of logarithms to simplify the problem if needed. If the problem has
more than one logarithm on either side of the equal sign then the problem can be
simplified.

Step 3: Rewrite the problem without the logarithms.

Step 4: Simplify the problem.

Step 5: Solve for x.

Step 6: Check your answer(s). Remember we cannot take the logarithm of a negative number, so
we need to make sure that when we plug our answer(s) back into the original equation we
get a positive number. Otherwise, we must drop that answer(s).

Solving Logarithmic Equations Containing Terms without Logarithms

After observing that the logarithmic equation contains terms without logarithms, what is the next step? The
next step is to simplify the problem using the properties of logarithms and then to rewrite the logarithmic
problem in exponential form. After rewriting the problem in exponential form we will be able to solve the
resulting problem.

Let’s finish solving the problem log 2 (5x + 7) = 5 from earlier.

log 2 (5x + 7) = 5 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

5x + 7 = 25 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the

base of the logarithm to the other side.

5x + 7 = 32 Simplify the problem by raising 2 to the fifth power.

x=5 Solve for x by subtracting 7 from each side and then

dividing each side by 5.

x=5 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we

get a positive number when it is plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log 2 (5x + 7) = 5 is x = 5.

Examples – Now let’s use the steps shown above to work through some examples. These examples will be a
mixture of logarithmic equations containing only logarithms and logarithmic equations containing terms
without logarithms.

Example 1: Solve log 3 (9x + 2) = 4

log 3 (9x + 2) = 4 This problem contains terms without logarithms.

log 3 (9x + 2) = 4 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

9x + 2 = 34 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the

base of the logarithm to the other side.

9x + 2 = 81 Simplify the problem by raising 3 to the fourth power.

79 Solve for x by subtracting 2 from each side and then

x= dividing each side by 9.
9

79 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we

x= get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
9

79
Therefore, the solution to the problem log 3 (9x + 2) = 4 is x = .
9

Example 2: Solve log 4 x + log 4 (x - 12) = 3

log 4 x + log 4 (x - 12) = 3 This problem contains terms without logarithms.

log 4 (x(x - 12)) = 3 This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.

x(x - 12) = 43 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the

base of the logarithm to the other side.

x 2 - 12x = 64 Simplify the problem by distributing and cubing the 4.

x 2 - 12x - 64 = 0 Solve the problem by subtracting 64 from each to get it

equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic
(x + 4)(x - 16) = 0 formula to find the values of x.
x = -4 or x = 16

x = 16 Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable because

the other answer produces a negative number when it is
plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log 4 x + log 4 (x - 12) = 3 is x = 16.

Example 3: Solve log 4 (2x + 1) = log 4 (x + 2) - log 4 3

log 4 (2x + 1) = log 4 (x + 2) - log 4 3 This problem contains only logarithms.

æx+2ö This problem can be simplified by using Property 4 which

log 4 (2x + 1) = log 4 ç ÷
è 3 ø changes the subtraction of logarithms to division.

x+2
2x + 1 = Drop the logarithms.
3

3(2x + 1) = x + 2 Simplify the problem by cross­multiplying to get rid of the

fractions.

6x + 3 = x + 2 Solve the problem by distributing the 3, subtracting x from

each side, subtracting 3 from each side, and finally dividing
1 by 5.
x=-
5

No Solution Check the answers, this problem has “No Solution”

because the only answer produces a negative number and
we can’t take the logarithm of a negative number.

Therefore, the problem log 4 (2x + 1) = log 4 (x + 2) - log 4 3 has no solution.

Example 4: Solve log(5x - 11) = 2

log(5x - 11) = 2 This problem contains terms without logarithms.

log(5x - 11) = 2 This problem does not need to be simplified because there
is only one logarithm in the problem.

5x - 2 = 102 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the

base of the logarithm to the other side. For common
logarithms the base is 10.

5x - 2 = 100 Simplify the problem by squaring the 10.

102 Solve for x by adding 2 to each side and then dividing each
x= side by 5.
5

102 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we

x=
5 get a positive number when it is plugged back in.

102
Therefore, the solution to the problem log(5x - 11) = 2 is x = .
5
Example 5: Solve log 2 (x + 1) - log 2 (x - 4) = 3

log 2 (x + 1) - log 2 (x - 4) = 3 This problem contains terms without logarithms.

æ x +1 ö This problem can be simplified by using Property 4 which

log 2 ç ÷=3
è x-4ø changes the subtraction of logarithms to division.

x +1 Rewrite the problem in exponential form by moving the

= 23
x-4 base of the logarithm to the other side.
x +1 Simplify the problem by cubing the 2.
=8
x -4

x + 1 = 8(x - 4) Solve for x by cross­multiplying, distributing, subtracting

8x from each side, subtracting 1 from each side, and finally
x + 1 = 8x - 32 dividing each side by –7.
33
x=
7
33 Check the answer; this is an acceptable answer because we
x= get a positive number when it is plugged back in.
7

33
Therefore, the solution to the problem log 2 (x + 1) - log 2 (x - 4) = 3 is x = .
7

Example 6: Solve log 6 (x + 4) + log 6 (x - 2) = log 6 (4x)

log 6 (x + 4) + log 6 (x - 2) = log 6 (4x) This problem contains only logarithms.

log 6 ((x + 4)(x - 2)) = log 6 (4x) This problem can be simplified by using Property 3 which
changes the addition of logarithms to multiplication.

(x + 4)(x - 2) = 4x Drop the logarithms.

x 2 + 2x - 8 = 4x Simplify the problem by distributing or FOILing and

combining like terms.

x 2 - 2x - 8 = 0 Solve the problem by subtracting 4x from each to get it

equal to zero, and then factoring or using the quadratic
(x + 2)(x - 4) = 0 formula to find the values of x.
x = -2 or x = 4

x=4 Check the answers, only one answer is acceptable because

the other answer produces a negative number when it is
plugged back in.

Therefore, the solution to the problem log 6 (x + 4) + log 6 (x - 2) = log 6 (4x) is x = 4.

Solved Examples:
Example 1: Express 53 = 125 in logarithm form.

Solution:
53 = 125
As we know,
ab = c ⇒ logac=b
Therefore;
Log5125 = 3

Example 2: Find the log of 32 to the base 4.

Solution:
log432 = x
4x = 32
(22)x = 2x2x2x2x2
22x = 25
2x=5
x=5/2
Therefore,
log432 =5/2

Example3: Find x if log5(x-7)=1.

Solution:
log5(x-7)=1
Using logarithm rules, we can write;
51 = x-7
5 = x-7
x=5+7
x=12

Example 4: Prove that: 2log(15/18)-log(25/162)+log(4/9)=log2

Solution:
2log(15/18)-log(25/162)+log(4/9)=log2
Taking L.H.S.:
⇒2log(15/18)-log(25/162)+log(4/9)
⇒log(15/18)2-log(25/162)+log(4/9)
⇒log(225/324)-log(25/162)+log(4/9)
⇒log[(225/324)(4/9)]-log(25/162)
⇒log[(225/324)(4/9)]/(25/162)
⇒log(72/36)
⇒log2 (R.H.S)

Example 5: Find the value of x, if log(x+5)+log(x-5)=4log2+2log3

Solution:
log(x+5)+log(x-5)=4log2+2log3
log(x+5)(x-5) = 4log2+2log3 [log mn=log m+log n]
log(x2-25) = log24+log32
log(x2-25) = log16+log9
log(x2-25)=log(16×9)
log(x2-25)=log144
x2-25=144
x2=169
x=±√169
x=±13

Example 6: Solve for x if log 4 (x) + log 4 (x -12) = 3

Solution
Simplify the logarithm by using the product rule as follows;
log 4 (x) + log 4 (x -12) = 3 ⇒ log 4 [(x) (x – 12)] = 3
⇒ log 4 (x2 – 12x) = 3
Convert the equation in exponential form.
⇒ 43 = x2 – 12x
⇒ 64 = x2 – 12x
Since this is a quadratic equation, we therefore solve by factoring.
x2 -12x – 64 ⇒ (x + 4) (x – 16) = 0
x = -4 or 16
When x = -4 is substituted in the original equation, we get a negative answer which
is imaginary. Therefore, 16 is the only acceptable solution.