3.

3 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

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What You Should Learn
• Use the change-of-base formula to rewrite and
evaluate logarithmic expressions.

• Use properties of logarithms to evaluate or

rewrite logarithmic expressions.

• Use properties of logarithms to expand or

condense logarithmic expressions.

• Use logarithmic functions to model and solve

real-life problems.
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Change of Base

3
Change of Base

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Example 1 – Changing Bases Using Common Logarithms

a.

Use a calculator.

Simplify.

b.

5
Properties of Logarithms

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Properties of Logarithms

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Example 3 – Using Properties of Logarithms

Write each logarithm in terms of ln 2 and ln 3.

a. ln 6 b. ln

Solution:
a. ln 6 = ln (2  3) Rewrite 6 as 2  3.

= ln 2 + ln 3 Product Property

b. ln = ln 2 – ln 27 Quotient Property

= ln 2 – ln 33 Rewrite 27 as 33.

= ln 2 – 3 ln 3 Power Property

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Example
Find the exact value of each expression without using a
calculator.
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a. log _5 5
1 1 1
= log 5 53 = log 5 5 =
3 3

b. ln 𝑒 6 − ln 𝑒 2
= 6 ln 𝑒 − 2 ln 𝑒 = 6 − 2 = 4
𝑒6
𝑜𝑟 = ln 2 = ln 𝑒 6−2 = ln 𝑒 4 = 4 ln 𝑒 = 4
𝑒

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Rewriting Logarithmic Expressions

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Example 5 – Expanding Logarithmic Expressions

Expand each logarithmic expression.

a. log4 5x3y

b.

Solution:
a. log4 5x3y = log4 5 + log4 x3 + log4 y Product Property

= log4 5 + 3 log4 x + log4 y Power Property

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Example 5 – Solution cont’d

Rewrite using rational

b.
exponent.

Quotient Property

Power Property

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Example
Condense each logarithmic expression.
1
a. 2
log 𝑥 + 3 log(𝑥 + 1)

1
3
= log 𝑥 2 + log 𝑥 + 1
1
= 𝑥+1 3
log 𝑥 2
= log 𝑥 𝑥 + 1 3

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Continue…
b. 2 ln(𝑥 + 2) − ln 𝑥

= ln 𝑥 + 2 2 − ln 𝑥
𝑥+2 2
= ln
𝑥

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Continue…
1
c. [log 2 x + log 2 x + 1 ]
3

1
= log 2 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)
3
1
= log 2 𝑥 𝑥 + 1 3
3
= log 2 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)

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Application

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Application

If the points are graphed and fall on a line, then you can
determine that the x- and y-values are related by the
equation

ln y = m ln x

where m is the slope of the line.

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Example 7 – Finding a Mathematical Model

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Example 7 – Solution

Planets Near the Sun

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Example 7 – Solution cont’d

0.632 − 0 3
𝑚= ≈ 1.5 =
0.421 2

The equation of the line:

3
Y= X, where Y = ln x and X = ln x
2

3
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑥
2

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