Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 1

This is the second part of studying logarithms. Before we do that, let us recall a few things from the rst part.
.
De nition: The symbol log2 8 represents the number of 2-factors needed to multiply each other, so that
the resulting product is 8.

Therefore, log2 8 is 3: Indeed, we need three 2-factors multiplying each other so that the result is 8. In short,

log2 8 = 3 because 23 = 8

So, in a sense, logarithms are exponents. We need 3 on the top of 2 as an exponent for a product of 8. We can express this
concept more formally. The symbol loga b represents the number of a - factors needed to multiply each other, so that the
resulting product is b.
loga b = x because ax = b

Every logarithmic statement can be re-written as an exponential statement. The number a is called the base of the logarithm
- it is also the base of the corresponding exponential statement.

When we extended the concept of exponents from the integers to the

real numbers, we ran into trouble with negtive bases. So, the base of
the logarithm must be positive, and cannot be 1. (This is because every
power of 1 is 1. )
Considering the exponential function f (x) = 2x ; we noticed that 2x has
only positive values. In other words, 0 or negative numbers cannot be
achieved as 2-powers. Therefore, loga b is only de ned if b is positive.
In summary,
f (x) = 2x
.
De nition: The symbol loga b represents the number of a -factors needed to multiply each other, so
that the resulting product is b.

loga b = x because ax = b

where a; b > 0 and a 6= 1

Naturally, we did not need the concept or notation of logarithms for a

number like log2 8. We needed them for numbers such as log2 5..
Because f (x) = 2x is a continuous function, it must take the y value
5 somewhere. The x coordinate of that point is log2 5. This is
an irrational number, and there is no other way to represent its exact
value.

f (x) = 2x

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 2

We saw two theorems as immediate consequences of the de nition:

.
Theorem 1. If a; b > 0, a 6= 1, and k any real number, then loga ak = k.
Theorem 2. If a; b > 0, a 6= 1„ then aloga b = b.

For the next theorem, the 'ingredients' are the rst rule of exponentiation, an am = an+m , and the fact that
ax = ay implies x = y for all a > 0; x; y real numbers, because f (x) = ax is a one-to-one function.

.
Theorem 3. When both sides exist, then loga x + loga y = loga xy.

proof. Consider rst aloga x+loga y and aloga xy :

Clearly, aloga xy = xy by the second theorem. The other expression,
aloga x+loga y = aloga x aloga y = xy.
Therefore, aloga x+loga y = aloga xy . Since f (x) = ax is a one-to-one function, two a powers can only be
equal if their exponents are the same. Therefore, loga x + loga y = loga xy. This completes our proof.

Discussion: Consider the condition 'when both sides exist' in theorem 3. When do both sides
exist? Is it possible for only one side to exist, but not the other one?

.
x
Theorem 4. When both sides exist, then loga x loga y = loga .
y

an x
loga y
proof. Recall now the second rule of exponents, = an m. Consider aloga x loga y and a :
am
x x
loga y
Clearly, a = by the second theorem. The other expression,
y
aloga x x
aloga x loga y = log y
= .
a a y
x
loga y
Therefore, aloga x loga y =a . Since f (x) = ax is a one-to-one function, two a powers can only
x
be equal if their exponents are the same. Therefore, loga x loga y = loga .
y

.
Theorem 5. When both sides exist, then loga (xy ) = y loga x.

y)
proof. Recall now the third rule of exponents, (an )m = anm . Consider aloga (x and ay loga x :
y)
Clearly, aloga (x = xy by the second theorem. The other expression,
y
ay loga x = aloga x = xy .
x
log
Therefore, aloga x loga y = a a y . Since f (x) = ax is a one-to-one function, two
a powers can only be equal if their exponents are the same. Therefore,
x
loga x loga y = loga . This completes our proof.
y

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 3

These are very useful properties. For example, Theorem 5. enables us to get approximate values using the calculator.
A scienti c calculator is usually programmed to compute two logarithms: log a is short for log10 a; called the common
logarithm, and ln a is short for loge a, also called the natural logarithm. How could we compute exact values for numbers
such as log2 7? This newly found property enables us to do just that. Let us denote log2 7 by x. Then

2x = 7 let us take the common logarithm of both sides

x
log (2 ) = log 7 Use theorem 5 to get exponent to the baseline
x log 2 = log 7 solve for x by dividing both sides by log 2
log 7
x =
log 2

log 7
We can use the calculator with expressions such as 2: 807 4.
log 2
The last computation can be performed using any base besides 10. Consider loga b = x.

ax = b let us take base c logarithm of both sides

logc (ax ) = logc b Use theorem 5 to get exponent to the baseline
x logc a = logc b solve for x by dividing both sides by log 2
logc b logc b
x = =) loga b =
logc a logc a

This is the proof for our last theorem, the change-base theorem.

.
logc b
Theorem 6. For all a; b; c > 0, a; c 6= 1; loga b = .
logc a

All together, we will use these six theorem to compute with logarithms. There are many other statements, but they can be
easily derived from these six.

Enrichment

Prove each of the following. Assume that a; b > 0, a 6= 1 and n any real number,

1. log(an ) (bn ) = loga b.

1
2. logb a =
loga b

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 4

In summary, we have the following six theorems.

.
Suppose that a; b; c > 0, a; c 6= 1 and x is any real number. Then the following are all true.

1. loga (ax ) = x 4. When both sides exist,

b
2. aloga x = x loga b loga c = loga
c

3. When both sides exist, 5. When both sides exist,

loga b + loga c = loga bc x loga b = loga (bx )

6. The change-base theorem:

logc b
loga b =
logc a

Sample Problems

1. Simplify each of the following expressions.

p
a) log6 4 + log6 54 g) log9 27
b) 1 + 2 log2 3 log2 36 p3
h) logpm m7
c) 2 log10 (2x) + log10 25x
1 p i) e 3 ln 5
d) log 21 log 28 log 15 log 700
2 j) 8log2 x
1
e) 2 log2 2x5 log4 144x8 + log2 216x6
3 k) 3log9 x
3a 2 a2 + a
f) loga 3 l) (log3 4) (log4 5) (log5 6) (log6 7) (log7 8) (log8 9)
a+1 5

50
2. Which of the following is NOT equivalent to log8 ?
3
50
ln
3 ln 50 ln 3 ln 50 ln 3 2 ln 5 + ln 2 ln 3 2 ln 5 ln 3
A) B) C) D) E)
ln 8 ln 8 3 ln 2 3 ln 2 3
24 3 ln 2 + ln 3 2 ln 5
3. Prove that log(8=15) = .
25 3 ln 2 ln 3 ln 5
4. Let x = log3 2. Express each of the following in terms of x.

a) log3 6 c) log3 12 e) log3 72 g) log12 24 9

i) log3
2 8
b) log3 18 d) log3 24 f) log2 3 h) log3 j) log72 24
3

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 5

5. a) Suppose that log2 6 = a and log8 5 = b. Express log10 144 in terms of a and b.
b) Let a = log3 75 and b = log2 27. Express log3 10 in terms of a and b.
log3 90 log3 270
6. a) Simplify b) Write log2 5 log4 10 as a single logarithm.
log30 3 log10 3
c d
7. a) Prove that log(ak ) bk = loga b. b) Prove that loga=b = logb=a .
d c
8. Find the domain of each of the following expressions.

a) log3 x2 16 1 1
c) e)
ln (x 3) log3 (2x 1) 4
3
b) log3 (x + 4) + log3 (x 4) d) log3 x2 + 1 f)
log10 (2x x2 )

9. Solve each of the following equations.

a) log2 (x 3) (x + 1) = 5 e) log2 (x 3) log2 (x + 1) = 1

1
b) log2 (x 3) + log2 (x + 1) = 5 2 3
f) 64 3 3 log27 8 + log2 x3 = 14
c) log2 (x + 29) log2 (x 3) = 1
13
d) log6 2 + log6 (2x 5) + log6 (x 5) = 2 g) log64 x + logx 64 =
6

10. (Enrichment) Solve each of the following equations.

a) log2x 16 + log4x 8 = logx 8 c) logx (x 3) logx 3 (x + 20) = 2

b) x (1 log21 3) = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)

Practice Problems

1. Simplify each of the following expressions.

a) log10 5 + log10 2 e) 4log2 a i) log5 (3x) + log5 15x2 2 log5 3

p p
b) log4 320 log4 5 f) 2log4 y j) 2 ln m + 3 ln 3 m
p
c) log2 (40a) log2 5a g) 2 ln x2 1 ln (x + 1) k) 2 log3 2A5 log9 144A8
p p
d) log10 0:0002 + log10 5 h) log6 12 + log6 18 l) log3 12b2 2 log3 (2b)

p p
m) log 52 + 3 log 2 + log 125 + log 325 log 13
36
2. Which of the following is NOT equivalent to log9 ?
25
36 6
ln ln
25 5 ln 36 ln 25 ln 36 ln 25 ln 6 ln 5
A) B) C) D) E)
ln 9 2 ln 3 2 ln 3 ln 9 ln 3

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 6

3. Let x = log2 5: Express each of the following in terms of x.

5 16
a) log2 125 c) log2 1000 e) log2 g) log10 2 i) log50 80 k) log2
2 25
16
b) log2 10 d) log2 80 f) log5 2 h) log5 10 j) log100 10 l) log5
25
4. Let p = log2 5 and q = log5 3. Express each of the following in terms of p and q.
a) log2 10 c) log5 10 e) log5 30 g) log2 24
b) log5 45 d) log5 6 f) log2 3 h) log24 30

5. Find the domain of each of the following expressions.

a) log5 x2 + 10x 23 1 f) ln x2 6x ln 4 x2
d)
log2 (x 2) + log2 (x 4)
b) log2 x2 6x + 8
1 x2 6x ln x2 6x
c) e) ln g)
log2 (x2 6x + 8) 4 x2 ln (4 x2 )

6. Solve each of the following equations.

a) log6 (8 x) + log6 (x + 12) = 2 f) logx 1 (x + 2) + logx 1 (x 2) = 2
1 g) log2 x + log2 (x 4) = 5
b) log4 (3m + 5) log4 (m + 7) =
2 5
c) log2 (3x 5) + log2 (x 6) = 4 h) log4 (x 1) + log4 (x + 3) =
2
d) log2 (2 y) + log2 (10 y) = 7 i) log6 x + log6 (2x + 1) = 2
e) logx (12 x) = 2 j) log2 (x 5) + log2 (x + 11) = 9

Answers

Sample Problems
3 14 1 p
1. a) 3 b) 1 c) 2 + 3 log10 x d) 2 e) 1 + 8 log2 x f) 1 g) h) i) j) x3 k) x l) 2
4 3 125
2. E 3. see solutions
1 3x + 1 3x + 1
4. a) x + 1 b) x + 2 c) 2x + 1 d) 3x + 1 e) 3x + 2 f) g) h) x 1 i) 2 3x j)
x 2x + 1 3x + 2
p !
2 (a + 1) 3 a 1 ab b + 6 10
5. a) b) + = 6. a) 3 b) log2 7. see solutions
3b + 1 b 2 2b 2

8. a) fxjx < 4 or x > 4g in interval notation: ( 1; 4) [ (4; 1) b) fxjx > 4g in interval notation: (4; 1)
1 1
c) fxjx > 3 but x 6= 4g in interval notation: (3; 1) n f4g d) R e) xjx > but x 6= 41 in interval notation: ; 1 n f41g
2 2
f) fxj 0 < x < 2 but x 6= 1g in interval notation: (0; 2) n f1g
1
9. a) 5; 7 b) 7 c) 35 d) 7 e) no solution f) 16 g) 16; 512 10.. a) p ; 2 b) log7 5 c) 5
8

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 7

Practice Problems
p 3
1. a) 1 b) 3 c) 3 d) 3 e) a2 f) y g) x 1 h) i) 1 + 3 log5 x j) 2 ln m k) 1 + 6 log3 A l) 1 m) 4
2
1 1 x+1 x+4 1 4 2x 4
2. B 3. a) 3x b) x + 1 c) 3x + 3 d) x + 4 e) x 1 f) g) h) i) j) k) 4 2x l) = 2
x x+1 x 2x + 1 2 x x
1
+q+1
1 1 1 p p + pq + 1
4. a) p + 1 b) 2q + 1 c) +1 d) +q e) +q+1 f) pq g) pq + 3 h) =
p p p 3 pq + 3
+q
p
p p p p
5. a) xj 5 2<x<5+ 2 - in interval notation: 5 2; 5 + 2
b) fxjx < 2 or x > 4g - in interval notation: ( 1; 2) [ (4; 1)
p p p p
c) x < 2 and x 6= 3 2 or x > 4 and x 6= 3 + 2 in interval notation: ( 1; 2) [ (4; 1) n 3 2; 3 + 2
p p
d) x > 4 and x 6= 3 + 2 - in interval notation: (4; 1) n 3 + 2
e) fxj 2 < x < 0 or 2 < x < 6g -in interval notation: ( 2; 0) [ (2; 6)
p p
f) fxj 2 < x < 0g in interval notation: ( 2; 0) g) 2 < x < 0 and x 6= 3 in interval notation: ( 2; 0) n 3
5
6. a) 10; 6 b) 9 c) 7 d) 6 e) 3 f) g) 8 h) 5 i) 4 j) 21
2

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 8

Sample Problems Solutions

1. Simplify each of the following expressions.

a) log6 4 + log6 54 = log6 (4 54) = log6 216 = 3
b) 1 + 2 log2 3 log2 36
Solution: We re-write each expression as a single base 2 logarithm. We will use by the rule n loga b = loga (bn )

1 = log2 2 and 2 log2 3 = log2 32 = log2 9

2 9 1
1 + 2 log2 3 log2 36 = log2 2 + log2 9 log2 36 = log2 = log2 = 1
36 2

c) 2 log10 (2x) + log10 (25x)

h i
Solution: by the rule n loga b = loga (bn ), we have 2 log10 (2x) = log10 (2x)2 = log10 4x2

2 log10 (2x) + log10 (25x) = log10 4x2 + log10 (25x) = log10 4x2 25x = log10 100x3
= log10 100 + log10 x3 = 2 + 3 log10 x

1 p
d) log 21 log 28 log 15 log 700
2
Solution: Note that log 21 is the same as log10 21

1 p p p
E = log 21 log 28 log 15 log 700 = log 21 log 28 log 15 log 700
2
p p p p
= log 21 log 28 + log 15 + log 700 = log 21 log 28 15 700
21 21 3 7 3 1
= log p p = log p p = log = log = log = 2
28 15 700 2 7 15 10 7 2 7 15 10 300 100

1
e) 2 log2 2x5 log4 144x8 +log2 216x6
3
Solution: We can combine the expressions only if they are simple logarithms of the same base. Recall the rule
n loga b = loga (bn )
2
2 log2 2x5 = log2 2x5 = log2 4x10
We change the second expression to base 2.

log2 144x8 log2 144x8 1

log4 144x8 = = = log2 144x8
log2 4 2 2

and we use the rule n loga b = loga (bn ) to get rid of the coef cient

1 h i p
1=2
log2 144x8 = log2 144x8 = log2 144x8 = log2 12x4
2
1
We similarly get rid of in the third expression:
3
1 h i p
1=3 3
log2 216x6 = log2 216x6 = log2 216x6 = log2 6x2
3

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 9

We are now ready to simplify the expression:

1
E = 2 log2 2x5 log4 144x8 + log2 216x6
3
= log2 4x10 log2 12x4 + log2 6x2

b
And now we use loga b loga c = loga
c

4x10 x6
= log2 + log2 6x2 = log2 + log2 6x2
12x4 3

And now we use loga b + loga c = loga (bc)

x6 x6 6x2
= log2 6x2 = log2 = log2 2x8
3 3

Now we use loga b + loga c = loga (bc) and n loga b = loga bn again.

log2 2x8 = log2 2 + log2 x8 = 1 + 8 log2 x

3a 2 a2 + a
f) loga 3
a+1 5
Solution:

3a 2 a2 + a 3 (a + 1) 3a 2 a2 + a
E = loga 3 = loga
a+1 5 a+1 a+1 5
3 (a + 1) (3a 2) a (a + 1) 3a + 3 3a + 2 a a
= loga = loga = loga 5 = loga a = 1
a+1 5 1 5 5
p
g) log9 27
Solution: We have seen problems like this in the previous logarithms lecture notes (logarithms 1) but the change base
theorem makes solving it much easier. We simply switch to base 3.

p 3
p log3 27 3
log9 27 = = 2 =
log3 9 2 4
p
3
h) logpm m7
Solution: We will switch to base m.

p 7
p log
3
m7 log m 7=3
7 2 14
m
= 3 =
3 m
logpm m7 = p = =
logm m logm m 1=2 1 3 1 3
2

i) e 3 ln 5

Solution: Recall that aloga b = b. Thus eln x = x.

3 ln 5
3 1
e = eln 5 =5 3
=
125

j) 8log2 x

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 10

Solution: Recall that aloga b = b. Thus 2log2 x = x

log2 x 3
8log2 x = 23 = 23 log2 x = 2log2 x = x3

This proble is about matching the base of the exponentiation with the base of the logarithm. There is another way of
solving this problem now that we have the switch-base theorem. We can switch to base 8.

log8 x log8 x 3
log2 x = = = 3 log8 x and so 8log2 x = 83 log8 x = 8log8 x = x3
log8 2 1
3

log9 x 1 1 1 p
k) 3log9 x = 91=2 = (9) 2 log9 x = 9log9 x 2 = x2 = x
Solution: We can either change the base of exponentiation
1
log9 x 1 2 1 p
3log9 x = 91=2 = (9) 2 log9 x = 9log9 x = x2 = x

or change the base of the logarithm:

log3 x log3 x 1
log9 x = = = log3 x
log3 9 2 2
1=2 1 p
3log9 x = 3(1=2) log3 x = 3log3 x = x2 = x

l) (log3 4) (log4 5) (log5 6) (log6 7) (log7 8) (log8 9)

Solution: We use the change-base formula for logarithms to re-write the expression

ln b
loga b =
ln a

E = (log3 4) (log4 5) (log5 6) (log6 7) (log7 8) (log8 9)

ln 4 ln 5 ln 6 ln 7 ln 8 ln 9 ln 9 ln 32 2 ln 3
= = = = =2
ln 3 ln 4 ln 5 ln 6 ln 7 ln 8 ln 3 ln 3 ln 3

50
2. Which of the following is NOT equivalent to log8 ?
3
50
ln
3 ln 50 ln 3 ln 50 ln 3 2 ln 5 + ln 2 ln 3 2 ln 5 ln 3
A) B) C) D) E)
ln 8 ln 8 3 ln 2 3 ln 2 3
Solution: Let us use the change base theorem to change to natural base.

50
ln
50 3
log8 = which is choice A
3 ln 8

b
Now we use the rule loga b loga c = loga in the numerator.
c

50
ln
3 ln 50 ln 3
= which is choice B
ln 8 ln 8

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 11

Now we use the rule n loga b = loga (bn ) in the denominator.

ln 50 ln 3 ln 50 ln 3 ln 50 ln 3
= = which is choice C
ln 8 ln 23 3 ln 2
Now we apply the rules n loga b = loga (bn ) and loga b + loga c = loga (bc) in the denominator to re-write ln 50.

ln 50 = ln 2 52 = ln 2 + ln 52 = ln 2 + 2 ln 5
ln 50 ln 3 2 ln 5 + ln 2 ln 3
= which is choice D
3 ln 2 3 ln 2
50
At this point, choice E is the only expression possibly not equaivalent to log8 . Indeed, choice E represents a
3
serious algebraic error in simplifying our expression in D. Since

a+b c a c
6=
3b 3
E is NOT equivalent to the other expressions. One way to verify this is to enter these expressions into the calculator
50
and see that the decimal approximations are all the same for log8 and choices A, B, C, and D, but different for E.
3
24 3 ln 2 + ln 3 2 ln 5
3. Prove that log(8=15) = .
25 3 ln 2 ln 3 ln 5
Solution: We rst switch to natural logarithm.

24
ln
24 25 ln 24 ln 25 ln 23 3 ln 52 ln 23 + ln 3 2 ln 5 3 ln 2 + ln 3 2 ln 5
log(8=15) = = = 3
= =
25 8 ln 8 ln 15 ln (2 ) ln (3 5) 3 ln 2 (ln 3 + ln 5) 3 ln 2 ln 3 ln 5
ln
15

4. Let x = log3 2. Express each of the following in terms of x.

a) log3 6
Solution: Recall that loga (bc) = loga b + loga c

log3 6 = log3 (3 2) = log3 3 + log3 2 = 1 + x = x + 1

b) log3 18
Solution: Recall that loga (bc) = loga b + loga c

log3 18 = log3 (9 2) = log3 9 + log3 2 = 2 + x = x + 2

c) log3 12
Solution: Recall that loga (bc) = loga b + loga c and loga (bn ) = n loga b

log3 12 = log3 (3 4) = log3 3 22 = log3 3 + log3 22 = 1 + 2 log3 2 = 1 + 2x = 2x + 1

d) log3 24
Solution: Recall that loga (bc) = loga b + loga c and loga (bn ) = n loga b

log3 24 = log3 (3 8) = log3 3 23 = log3 3 + log3 23 = 1 + 3 log3 2 = 1 + 3x = 3x + 1

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 12

e) log3 72
Solution: Recall that loga (bc) = loga b + loga c and loga (bn ) = n loga b

log3 72 = log3 (9 8) = log3 32 23 = log3 32 + log3 23 = 2 + 3 log3 2 = 2 + 3x = 3x + 2

f) log2 3
logc b
Solution: We will change base to 3 using the change base formula. Recall that loga b = .
logc a

log3 3 1 1
log2 3 = = =
log3 2 log3 2 x

Note that this is a useful piece of information: if we swap the two numbers in a logarithm, we obtain the opposite of the
original logarithm. In short, logx y and logy x are reciprocals.
log3 24 3x + 1
g) log12 24 = =
log3 12 2x + 1
logc b
Solution: We will change base to 3 using the change base formula. Recall that loga b = . Also note that the
logc a
expressions log3 24 and log3 12 were already worked out in previous problems.

log3 24 3x + 1
log12 24 = =
log3 12 2x + 1

2
h) log3
3
b
Solution: Recall that loga = loga b loga c
c

2
log3 = log3 2 log3 3 = x 1
3

9
i) log3
8

9
log3 = log3 9 log3 8 = 2 log3 23 = 2 3 log3 2 = 2 3x = 3x + 2
8

b
Solution: Recall that loga = loga b loga c and loga (bn ) = n loga b
c
log3 24 3x + 1
j) log72 24 = =
log3 72 3x + 2
logc b
Solution: We will change base to 3 using the change base formula. Recall that loga b = . Also note that the
logc a
expressions log3 24 and log3 72 were already worked out in previous problems.

log3 24 3x + 1
log72 24 = =
log3 72 3x + 2

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Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 13

5. a) Suppose that log2 6 = a and log8 5 = b. Express log10 144 in terms of a and b.
Solution: We will only need to nd log2 3 and log2 5 in terms of a and b.

a = log2 6 = log2 (2 3) = log2 2 + log2 3 = 1 + log2 3

a = log2 3 + 1 =) log2 3 = a 1
log2 5 log2 5
b = log8 5 = = =) log2 5 = 3b
log2 8 3

log2 144 log2 (16 9) log2 16 + log2 9 4 + log2 32 4 + 2 log2 3

log10 144 = = = = =
log2 10 log2 (2 5) log2 2 + log2 5 1 + log2 5 1 + log2 5

4 + 2 (a 1) 4 + 2a 2 2a + 2
= = =
1 + 3b 3b + 1 3b + 1
b) Let a = log3 75 and b = log2 27. Express log3 10 in terms of a and b.
Solution:
a = log3 75 = log3 (3 25) = log3 3 + log3 25 = 1 + log3 52 = 1 + 2 log3 5

a = 1 + 2 log3 5
a 1
a 1 = 2 log3 5 =) log3 5 =
2
log3 27 3 3 3
b = log2 27 = = =) b= =) b log3 2 = 3 =) log3 2 =
log3 2 log3 2 log3 2 b
3 a 1 6 (a 1) b 6 + ab b
log3 10 = log3 2 + log3 5 = + = + =
b 2 2b 2b 2b
log3 90 log3 270
6. a) Simplify .
log30 3 log10 3
Solution: We rst switch to base 3 and simplify the logarithms as much as possible.

log3 90 log3 270 log3 90 log3 270 log3 9 + log3 10 log3 27 + log3 10
= =
log30 3 log10 3 log3 3 log3 3 1 1
log3 30 log3 10 log3 3 + log3 10 log3 10
2 + log3 10 3 + log3 10
= = (2 + log3 10) (1 + log3 10) (3 + log3 10) log3 10
1 1
1 + log3 10 log3 10

= 2 + 2 log3 10 + log3 10 + (log3 10)2 3 log3 10 (log3 10)2

= 2 + 3 log3 10 3 log3 10 = 2

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 14

b) Write log2 5 log4 10 as a single logarithm.

Solution: We rst switch to base 2.
log2 10 log2 10 1
log2 5 log4 10 = log2 5 = log2 5 = log2 5 log2 10 = log2 5 log2 (10)1=2
log2 4 2 2
p ! p !
p 5 5 10 10
= log2 5 log2 10 = log2 p = log2 = log2
10 10 2

7. a) Prove that log(ak ) bk = loga b.

Prove: We use the conversion formula for logarithms, to switch to base a.

loga bk k loga b
log(ak ) bk = k
= = loga b
loga (a ) k

c d
b) Prove that loga=b = logb=a .
d c

Prove: We use the conversion formula for logarithms, to switch to the natural logarithm and then back. Also, we will
x y y x
use the following fact: = . This is true because
z w w z

x y 1 ( x + y) y x
= =
z w 1 ( z + w) w z

c d
ln ln
c d ln c ln d ln d ln c c d
loga=b = a = = = = logb=a
d ln ln a ln b ln b ln a b c
b ln
a

8. Find the domain of each of the following expressions.

a) log3 x2 16
Solution: We need to solve the inequality x2 16 > 0: (If you need to review these, see Quadratic Inequalities.) The
solution is fxjx < 4 or x > 4g or in interval notation, ( 1; 4) [ (4; 1).
b) log3 (x + 4) + log3 (x 4)
Solution: We need to solve the inequalities x + 4 > 0 and x 4 > 0:

x + 4 > 0 and x 4>0

x > 4 and x > 4 =) x>4

Thus the domain is fxjx > 4g or in interval notation, (4; 1)

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 15

1
c)
ln (x 3)
Solution: for the expression ln (x 3) to be de ned, we need that x 3 > 0, thus x > 3. Now if x is greater than
3; ln (x 3) is de ned but we still need to worry about division by zero. We have to rule out all values of x for which
ln (x 3) = 0. So we solve the equation

ln (x 3) = 0 1=x 3
0
e = x 3 4=x

Thus the domain is: fxjx > 3 but x 6= 4g or in interval notation, (3; 1) n f4g
d) log3 x2 + 1
Solution: for this logarithm to be de ned, x2 + 1 > 0 needs to be true. Since this inequality is true for all real numbers,
this expression's domain is the set of all real numbers, R.
1
e)
log3 (2x 1) 4
1
Solution: for log3 (2x 1) to be de ned, 2x 1 > 0 needs to be true. We solve this inequality and get that x > .
2
Even if the logarithm is de ned, we still need to worry about division by zero. We have to rule out all values of x for
which log3 (2x 1) 4 = 0. We solve the equation

log3 (2x 1) 4 = 0 2x 1 = 81
log3 (2x 1) = 4 2x = 82
4
2x 1 = 3 x = 41

1 1
So the domain of this expression is xjx > but x 6= 41 or in interval notation, ; 1 n f41g.
2 2
3
f)
log10 (2x x2 )
Solution: for log10 2x x2 to be de ned, 2x x2 > 0 needs to be true. We solve this inequality and get that
0 < x < 2. Even if the logarithm is de ned, we still need to worry about division by zero. We have to rule out all
values of x for which log10 2x x2 = 0. We solve the equation

log10 2x x2 = 0 0 = x2 2x + 1
2x x 2
= 10 0
0 = (x 1)2
2x x2 = 1 x=1

So the domain of this expression is fxj 0 < x < 2 but x 6= 1g or in interval notation, (0; 2) n f1g.

9. a) log2 (x 3) (x + 1) = 5
Solution: We re-write the logarithmic statement as an exponential statement and then solve for x.

(x 3) (x + 1) = 25 x2 2x 35 = 0
(x 3) (x + 1) = 32 (x + 5) (x 7) = 0
2
x 2x 3 = 32 x1 = 5 x2 = 7

We check: If x = 5; then

LHS = log2 ( 5 3) ( 5 + 1) = log2 ( 8) ( 4) = log2 32 = 5 = RHS

and if x = 7; then
LHS = log2 (7 3) (7 + 1) = log2 (4) (8) = log2 32 = 5 = RHS

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 16

b) log2 (x 3) + log2 (x + 1) = 5
Solution: log2 (x 3)+log2 (x + 1) = log2 (x 3) (x + 1) and so this equation appears to be identical to the previous
one. But it is not. Let's check:If x = 5; then

LHS = log2 ( 5 3) + log2 ( 5 + 1) = log2 ( 8) + log2 ( 4) = unde ned

and if x = 7; then

LHS = log2 (7 3) + log2 (7 + 1) = log2 4 + log2 8 = 2 + 3 = 5 = RHS

and so this equation has only one solution, x = 7. So, it is very important to check.
c) log2 (x + 29) log2 (x 3) = 1
Solution:

log2 (x + 29) log2 (x 3) = 1 x + 29 = 2 (x 3)

x + 29
log2 = 1 x + 29 = 2x 6
x 3
x + 29
= 21 35 = x
x 3
We check: if x = 35, then

LHS = log2 (35 + 29) log2 (35 3) = log2 64 log2 32 = 6 5 = 1 = RHS

d) log6 2 + log6 (2x 5) + log6 (x 5) = 2

Solution:

log6 2 + log6 (2x 5) + log6 (x 5) = 2

log6 2 (2x 5) (x 5) = 2 re-write as exponential
2
6 = 2 (2x 5) (x 5)
36 = 2 (2x 5) (x 5) divide by 2
18 = (2x 5) (x 5)
18 = 2x2 15x + 25
2
0 = 2x 15x + 7 factor
1
0 = (2x 1) (x 7) =) x1 = and x2 = 7
2
1
We check: if x = , then
2
1 1
LHS = log6 2 + log6 2 5 + log6 5 = log6 2 + log6 ( 4) + log6 ( 4:5)
2 2

1
The left-hand side is unde ned because the logarithm of negative numbers is NOT de ned. Thus x = is NOT a
2
solution. If x = 7, then

LHS = log6 2 + log6 (2 7 5) + log6 (7 5) = log6 2 + log6 9 + log6 2 = log6 (2 9 2) = log6 36 = 2 = RHS

Thus x = 7 is the only solution.

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 17

e) log2 (x 3) log2 (x + 1) = 1
Solution:

log2 (x 3) log2 (x + 1) = 1 x 3 = 2 (x + 1)
x 3
log2 = 1 x 3 = 2x + 2
x+1
x 3
= 2 5=x
x+1
We check: if x = 5; then

LHS = log2 ( 5 3) log2 ( 5 + 1) = log2 ( 8) log2 ( 4) = unde ned

The only number, 5 that could work with this equation, doesn't and so this equation has no solution.
1
2 3
f) 64 3 3 log27 8 + log2 x3 = 14

Solution:
2 p 2
= 42 = 16
3
64 3 = 64
ln 8 ln 23 3 ln 2 ln 2
log27 8 = = 3
= = = log3 2
ln 27 ln 3 3 ln 3 ln 3
log27 8 1 1 1
3 = 3 log3 2 = log 2 = log 2 =
3 3 3 3 2

1
1 3
16 + log2 x3 = 14 3 log2 x = 12
2
1
8 3 + 3 log2 x = 14 log2 x = 4
2 + 3 log2 x = 14 x = 16

13
g) log64 x + logx 64 =
6
Solution: The trick is to realize that log64 x and logx 64 are reciprocals since

log2 x log2 x log2 64 6

log64 x = = and logx 64 = =
log2 64 6 log2 x log2 x

1 13
If we denote a = log64 x, then we have a + = where a 6= 0. We solve this equation using the quadratic
a 6
formula (completing the square would also work).

1 13
a+ =
a 6
13
a2 a+1 = 0
6
6a2 13a + 6 = 0
q
p p
13 ( 13)2 4 6 6 13 169 144 13 25 13 5 2 3
a1;2 = = = = = or
2 6 12 12 12 3 2

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 18

We check:
2 2 1 2 3 4 9 13
If x = , LHS = + = + = + = = RHS
3 3 2 3 2 6 6 6
3
3 3 1 3 2 9 4 13
If x = , LHS = + = + = + = = RHS
2 2 3 2 3 6 6 6
2
2 3 2
So now we have a = or . Since a = log64 x, we have: if a =
3 2 3
2 p 2
642=3 = x x = 642=3 = = 42 = 16
3
log64 x = =) =) 64
3
3
Or, if a = , then
2 p
3 3
log64 x = =) 643=2 = x =) x = 643=2 = 64 = 83 = 512
2

10. (Enrichment) Solve each of the following equations.

a) log2x 16 + log4x 8 = logx 8
Solution:

log2x 16 + log4x 8 = logx 8 switch to base 2

log2 16 log2 8 log2 8
+ =
log2 2x log2 4x log2 x
4 3 3
+ = Let a denote log2 x
1 + log2 x 2 + log2 x log2 x
4 3 3
+ = multiply by a (a + 1) (a + 2)
a+1 a+2 a
4a (a + 2) + 3a (a + 1) = 3 (a + 1) (a + 2)
4a2 + 8a + 3a2 + 3a = 3 a2 + 3a + 2
7a2 + 11a = 3a2 + 9a + 6
4a2 + 2a 6 = 0
2
2a + a 3 = 0
(2a + 3) (a 1) = 0

3
a1 = a2 = 1
2
1
So x1 = 2 3=2 = p and x2 = 2
8

Last revised: October 3, 2021

Lecture Notes Logarithms 2 page 19

b) x (1 log21 3) = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)

Solution:

x (1 log21 3) = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)

x (log21 21 log21 3) = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)
21
x log21 = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)
3
x log21 7 = log21 30 log21 (7x + 1)
30
log21 (7x ) = log21
7x + 1

Since f (x) = log21 x is a one-to-one function, we can conclude that

30
7x =
+17x
7x (7x + 1) = 30

Let a = 7x
a (a + 1) = 30
2
a +a 30 = 0
(a + 6) (a 5) = 0

a1 = 6 and a2 = 5
If a = 6; then we have 7x = 6. This equation has no solution. If a = 5, then we have 7x = 5
and so x = log7 5.
c) logx (x 3) logx 3 (x + 20) = 2
Solution: We will rst change the base of the second logarithm to x.

logx (x 3) logx 3 (x + 20) = 2

logx (x + 20)
logx (x 3) = 2 cancel out logx (x 3)
logx (x 3)
logx (x + 20) = 2
x2 = x + 20
x2 x 20 = 0
(x 5) (x + 4) = 0

x1 = 5 x2 = 4
Since x is the base of a logarithm, and also x 3 is the argument of a logarithm, x = 4 clearly does not work. We
check the other solution and nd that it does work.

LHS = log5 (5 3) log5 3 (5 + 20) = log5 2 log2 25 = log5 2 (2 log2 5) = 2 (log5 2 log2 5) = 2 1 = 2

So x = 5.

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Last revised: October 3, 2021