Algebra 2 10-3 Properties of Logarithms 1

These properties are very similar to the rules for exponents that we have used
throughout the course.

Properties of Logarithms
(The rules work in BOTH directions!)

a. logb(xy) = logbx + logby (add exponents when multiplying same base)

log4 2 + log4 3 = log4 6

b. logb(x/y) = logbx – logby (subtract exponents when dividing same base)

log2 12 – log2 3 = log2 4

c. logb(xn) = n logbx
3log4 2 = log4 23

Example 1: Given log53 = .683 and log57 = 1.209, find to the nearest
thousandth:
a. log5 21 b. log5 (3/7) c. log5 49

Example 2: Use the properties to EXPAND logs:

7 x3
a. log2 y

ab
b. log ( c
)
x
c. log ( yz )

d. log 10 5mn

e. log 5 8x3

 3y2 
 
 4 
f. log 2 
Condense (contract) logarithmic expressions as follows:
log 6 + 2log 2 – log 3 = _____________________________________________
Algebra 2 10-3 Properties of Logarithms 2

Example 3: Condense the following logarithmic expressions:

a. log 2x + log(3x – 7)

b. log 5 7 + 3log 5 t

c. 4log k – log (k+3)

d. 3 log 2 x – (log 2 4 + log 2 y)

Example 4: Use properties of logarithms to solve for x.

2
a. log 4 2 – log 4 x = log 4 3
b. log 4 5 = log 4 10 – log 4 x

c. log 3 8 = x log 3 2 d. log 2 x = ½ log 2 4

e. 4 log2 x – log2 5 = log2 125 f. log8 x + log8 (x – 12) = 2

Assignment: P. 544 – 546, 4 – 10 e, 14 – 18 e, 22 – 34 e, 52, 54, 60 – 64 e