CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

Unit 1 Indices and logarithms

Learning Objectives
The students should be able to:
l Use the laws of indices to solve simple problems.
l Use the properties of logarithms to solve simple problems.

Indices
In dealing with expressions containing exponents along with addition or subtraction or
multiplication or division, we work with the exponents first. Lets consider the following
examples.

Example 1 (a) 3 2 − 23 = _________

(b) 2 4 + 5 3 = 16 + 125 =___________

(c) 3 x 10 4 = 3 x _______ = __________

Example 2 Write each of the following in another way by using exponents.

(a) (ab)(ab)(ab)
(b) –a.a.a.a
(c) 4.a.b.4.b.a.a.a.b

Solution:
(a)

(b)

(c)

Example 3 Evaluate each of the following :

(a) -34
(b) (-3)4
(c) 2(1.1)3

Solution:
(a)

(b)

(c)

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

1. Multiplication of Exponential Numbers

Consider
23 .24 = (2.2.2)(2.2.2.2) a2 .a3 = (a.a)(a.a.a)
= 2.2.2.2.2.2.2 = a.a.a.a.a
= 27 = a5

In general, am.an = am+n

2. Division of Exponential Numbers

Consider
4 7 4.4.4.4.4.4.4 a 5 a.a.a.a.a
= =
43 4.4.4 a3 a.a.a
4 2
=4 =a

In general ,
am
= a m− n
an

Example 4 Simplify the following :

319
a) 11 = 319−11 = ________
3
X9
b) = _________
X3
a10 b8
c) 3 5
= a10−3 b 8−5 = ________
ab

an
Consider n
= a n− n
a
= a0 … … … … … … ..(1)
On the other hand
an
= 1............................( 2)
an
Compare (1) & (2): a0 = 1

where a is any real number and a ≠ 0

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

For examples,
20 = 1, (-3)0 = 1 and 100 = 1

am
Recall n
= a m− n … … … … … … ( ∗ )
a
23 2⋅2 ⋅2 1 Consider
Consider = =
24 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 2
34 3 ⋅ 3⋅ 3 ⋅ 3 1
= = 2
If we use the division rule ( ∗ ) 3 6
3 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 3⋅ 3 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 3 3
23
4
= 2 3−4 = 2 −1 If we use the division rule ( ∗ )
2
1 34
∴ 2-1 = = 34− 6 = 3 −2
2 36
1
∴ 3-2 = 2
3

a0
In general a-n = a0-n =
an

1
a-n =
an

n
a an
(a b)n = an bn   = n (am)n = amn
b b

Example 5 Simplify the following :

x3 2 3 2
(a) (a2 b)3 (b) ( ) (y)
y

Solution :

Example 6 Carry out each of the following operation. Write all answers with
positive exponents and simplify where possible.

(a) 7-1 (b) 2-4

(c) 5(5-3 ) 2 −5
(d)
23

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

Solutions:

1 1 1
(a) 7 −1 = (b) 2 −4 = 4
or
7 2 16
(c) 5(5-3 ) =51 × 5-3
2 −5
= (d) =
23
= =

3. Radicals
If x2 = y , then x is a square root of y

for example 72 = 49
∴ 7 = 2 49 or 7= 49

similarly, 81 = 9 (∵ 92 =81 )

If x3 = y , then x is a cube root of y

for example, 43 = 64 (∵ 3
64 = 4 )

In general, if xn = y , where n is a positive integer, then x is a nth root of y.

for example, 24 =16

∴ 4 16 = 2

Example7 Find the values of the following :

6
(a) 64
5
(b) 100000
4
(c) 81

Solution :
(a)

(b)

(c)

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

Consider 144=9 ⋅ 16
and 144 = 12 9 ⋅ 16 = 3 ⋅ 4 =12
∴ 144 = 9 16 9 ⋅ 16 = 3 ⋅ 4

a a
In general ab = a b =
b b

Note that a+b≠ a + b

e.g. 25 = 16 + 9 but 16 + 9 = 4 + 3 = 7
25 = 5 ∴ 16 + 9 ≠ 16 + 9

n
a a
In general n = n
ab = n a n b
n
b b

Example 8 Find the values of the following functions :

x 1
(a) f(x) = when x = 25 (b) f(x) = x 3 when x = 0.027
64

25 25
Solution : (a) f(25) = = = ____
64 64
3
27 27
(b) f(0.027) = 3 =3 = ____ or
1000 1000
4. Fractional Indices
n
 1n  1
⋅n
Consider a  = a n
 
 
=a1 = a

∴ an =n a

am/n = ( n a )m = n
Similarly , am

Example 9 Evaluate the following:

3 2 1

(a) 81 4 (b) 1000 3  9 2

(c)  
 25 

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

Solutions:

3 2
(a) 81 4 = ( 4 81 )3 = __________ (b) 1000 3 = ( 3 1000 )2 = ________
1
 9 2 9
(c)   = =_______
 25  25

Example 10 In the compound interest formula A = P (1+r)n , if A = 54874.32 ,

P = 25000, n = 6, find the value of r .
Solution: A = P ( 1+r)n
54874.32 = ( 25000)( 1 + r )6
= (1 + r )6
54874.32
25000
54874.32
∴1 + r = 6
25000

r= %

5. Definition of Logarithms

y
If a number X = a , where a is positive and a≠1 , the index y is called the
logarithm of the number X to the base a . In symbol, y = log aX.

N.B. logaX is undefined only for positive values of X

For example, 23 = 8 ∴ log2 8 = 3

34 = 81 ∴ log3 81 = 4

When the base a is not stated in logaX, it may be assumed a = 10. This is called the
common logarithm.

For example, log 1000 = log10 1000

=3

(Q 10-2 =  2  = 0.01)
1
log 0.01 = -2
 10 

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

6. Properties of Logarithms :

1. logaa = 1
2. loga1 = 0
3. logaMN = logaM + logaN

4. loga M = logaM - logaN

N
5. logaXn = n logaX

Example 11 Find the values of the following:

(a) log7 11 + Log7  1 

 11 
(b) log6 – log60
(c) log5 125
Solution:

(a) log7 11 + log7  1  log7 11 ×  = log7 1=

1
 11   11 
6 1
(b) log 6 – log 60 log = log =____________
60 10
(c) log5 125 = log5 53 = 3 log5 5 =

Example 12 In the compound interest formula A = P ( 1 + r )n , if A = 20000,

P = 10000,
r = 12%, find n correct to 2 decimal places.

Solutions: A = P ( 1 + r )n
20000 = 10000 ( 1 + 12% )
20000
= (1 + 0.12) n
10000
2 = ( 1.12 )n
Taking logarithm on both sides, log2 = log(1.12)n
log2 = n log 1.12
log 2
∴n = n=
log 1.12

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CMV 6111 Foundation Mathematics 9/2002

Tutorial 1 Indices and logarithms

1. Carry out each of the following operation. Write all answers with positive
exponents and simplify where possible.

7 −3 35 ⋅ 2 2
(a) (b)
7 −5 38

−1
46 ⋅ 34  2
(c) (d)  
45 ⋅ 33  3

−2 (f) (2-3 )-4

 2
(e)  
 5

2. Evaluate the following :

1 1 1
− − −
2 3 4
(a) 49 (b) 8 (c) 16

3. In the compound interest formula A = P ( 1 + r )n ,

(a) if P = 100,000 , r = 8 %, n = 5, find the value of A,
(b) if A = 49,519.26 , r = 12% , n = 8, find the value of P,
(c) if A = 21,003.42 , P = 10,000 , n = 5 , find the value of r ,
(d) if A = 80957.13, P = 35000, r = 15%, find the value of n.

4. The loudness, measured in decibels, is defined by the formula

 p
b = 10 log   ,
 p0 
where P is the intensity of the sound and Po is the minimum intensity detectable.
How many times greater is the intensity of b1 = 105 dB (factory) than the
intensity of b2 = 80 dB (busy street) ?

- The End -

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