Logarithm – Notes
1. Definition
If
ax=b(a>0,a≠1,b>0)a^x = b \quad (a>0, a \neq 1, b>0)
then
logab=x\log_a b = x
Meaning: Logarithm is the inverse of exponentiation.
2. Basic Properties
1. loga1=0\log_a 1 = 0
2. logaa=1\log_a a = 1
3. loga(mn)=logam+logan\log_a (mn) = \log_a m + \log_a n
4. logamn=logam−logan\log_a \frac{m}{n} = \log_a m - \log_a n
5. loga(mk)=klogam\log_a (m^k) = k \log_a m
6. Change of Base Formula:
logab=logcblogca\log_a b = \frac{\log_c b}{\log_c a}
(commonly c=10c = 10 or ee).
3. Special Logarithms
Common Logarithm: Base = 10 → log10b\log_{10} b, written as logb\log b.
Natural Logarithm: Base = ee (Euler’s number ≈ 2.718). Written as lnb\ln b.
4. Graphical Behavior
Graph of y=logaxy = \log_a x passes through (1,0).
For a>1a > 1: increasing function.
For 0<a<10 < a < 1: decreasing function.
5. Some Useful Results
1. logab⋅logba=1\log_a b \cdot \log_b a = 1
2. logab=1logba\log_a b = \dfrac{1}{\log_b a}
3. If logax=logay\log_a x = \log_a y → x=yx = y (valid since log is one-to-one).
4. logab=lnblna\log_a b = \dfrac{\ln b}{\ln a}.
6. Examples
o 2x=8 ⟹ x=32^x = 8 \implies x = 3.
1. Solve: log28\log_2 8
2. Simplify: log1000\log 1000
o Base = 10 → =3= 3.
o x4=81 ⟹ x=3x^4 = 81 \implies x = 3.
3. If logx81=4\log_x 81 = 4, find xx.
Do you want me to prepare a JEE-style problem set on logarithms (ranging from basic to
tricky manipulations with inequalities, series, and equations)?
