5.

5 Properties and Laws of Logarithms

x e ln 4. x 10 log 3.
x 3 log 2. x 64 log 1.
12 6
27 4


Do Now: Solve for x.
x = 3
x = 12
x = 6
x = 1/3
Consider some more examples
Without evaluating log (678), we know the
expression means the exponent to which
10 must be raised in order to produce 678.
log (678) = x 10
x
= 678
If 10
x
= 678, what should x be in order to
produce 678?
x = log(678) because 10
log(678)
= 678
And with natural logarithms
Without evaluating ln (54), we know the
expression means the exponent to which e
must be raised in order to produce 54.
If e
x
= 54, what should x be in order to
produce 54?
x = ln(54) because e
ln(54)
= 54
ln (54) = x e
x
= 54
Basic Properties of Logarithms
Common Logarithms Natural Logarithms
1. log v is defined only when
v > 0.
1. ln v is defined only when v > 0.
2. log 1 = 0 and log 10 = 1 2. ln 1 = 0 and ln e = 1
3. log 10
k
= k for every real
number k.
3. ln e
k
= k for every real number k.
4. 10
logv
=v for every v > 0. 4. e
lnv
=v for every v > 0.
** NOTE: These properties hold for all bases
not just 10 and e! **
Example 1: Solving Equations Using Properties
Use the basic properties of logarithms to solve
each equation.
7 1) ln(2x 2. 5 3) log(x 1.
100,003 x
3 10 x
10 3 x
10 10
5
5
5 3) log(x

2
1 e
7
7
7 1) ln(2x
7
x
1 e 2x
e 1 2x
e e

Laws of Logarithms
Because logarithms represent exponents, it is helpful to
review laws of exponents before exploring laws of
logarithms.
When multiplying like bases, add the exponents.
a
m
a
n
=a
m+n


When dividing like bases, subtract the exponents.
n m
n
m
a
a
a

Product and Quotient Laws of Logarithms

For all v,w>0,
log(vw) = log v + log w
ln(vw) = ln v + ln w

w ln v ln ln
w log v log log
0, w v, all For
w
v
w
v

Using Product and Quotient Laws

1. Given that log 3 = 0.4771 and log 4 = 0.6021,
find log 12.




2. Given that log 40 = 1.6021 and log 8 = 0.9031,
find log 5.
log 12 = log (34) = log 3 + log 4 = 1.0792
log 5 = log (40 / 8) = log 40 log 8 = 0.6990
Power Law of Logarithms
For all k and v > 0,
log v
k
= k log v
ln v
k
= k ln v
For example
log 9 = log 3
2
= 2 log 3
Using the Power Law
1. Given that log 25 = 1.3979, find log .




2. Given that ln 22 = 3.0910, find ln 22.
4
25
log (25

) = log 25 = 0.3495
ln (22

) = ln 22 = 1.5455
Simplifying Expressions
Logarithmic expressions can be simplified using logarithmic
properties and laws.

Example 1:
Write ln(3x) + 4ln(x) ln(3xy) as a single logarithm.
ln(3x) + 4ln(x) ln(3xy) = ln(3x) + ln(x
4
) ln(3xy)
= ln(3xx
4
) ln(3xy)
= ln(3x
5
) ln(3xy)
=

=


3xy
3x
5
ln

y
x
4
ln
Simplifying Expressions
Simplify each expression.

1. log 8x + 3 log x log 2x
2





2.


4 2
x
x
ex ln ln


log 4x
2