The Natural logarithm

and e
IB SL/HL

Adrian Sparrow

www.ibmaths.com
Learning outcome:

you should be able to solve equations by using the

relationship between the natural logarithm and e.
 Natural logarithms
A logarithm to the base e is called a natural logarithm.

loge x is written as ln x

So,

ln x is the inverse function of ex

Using the natural log - ln Without using a calculator
0 find the value of:
e 1
3
Use a calculator to find: ln e =3
ln1 =0
4
ln e =4
ln e =1
3 1
ln e =
3
ln e2 =2
1
1 ln 3 = -3
ln e = 
e
2

1 = -1 ln e n
=n
ln

e
 The laws of natural logarithms

ln a  ln b  ln ab
a
ln a  ln b  ln
b
b
ln a  b ln a
It is also helpful to realise that
ln e = x
x
 Finding a missing index using logarithms
Find x to 2 decimal places using This process can be used with any
trial and error. base log, even the natural log.
3 x  50 x  3.56
 
ln 3 x  ln50
Far too complicated ...
x ln3  ln50
3 x  50 ln50
 x
Take a log of both sides ln3
x  3.56
 
log 3 x  log50
Now try these, answers to 2 d.p.
Use the power rule 
x
x log3  log50 4  48 x  2.79

log50
x
log3
x
2  10 
x  3.32
x  3.56
x
2.85  0.09 x  2.3

Find x, if ln x  8 Find x, if e x
 20
Remember the base of a Take a natural log of both
natural log is e. sides.
x
lnex  8 ln e  ln20
Rearrange in index form. Use the power rule.
loga b  c  b  ac x ln e  ln20

x  e8 x  ln20
x  2980.96 x3


Find x in each of the following: Find x in each of the following:
 x
ln x  10 x  22026 e  100 x  4.61

ln x  4 x  54.6 x
e  3500

x  8.16

ln x  0.5 x  1.65 e x  0.25 x  1.39
 