EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

1. Which numbers x satisfy the equation: (log3 x)(logx 5) = log3 5?

25 75
2. What is the smallest prime number dividing the sum 9 + 3 ? [The number 1 is not considered to be a prime
number.]
2 2
3. Solve the equation: (log5 x) + 4(log5(x – 2)) = 4(log5 x)(log5(x – 2)).

4. Suppose that the Canadian dollar loses 5% of its value each year. How many years are needed in order that the
Canadian dollar will lose 90% of its value?
log 2 log 3
5. Solve the equation: (2x) – (3x) = 0. [If no base is given for the logarithm, the logarithm is supposed to be in
base 10.]

6. If log8 3 = p and log3 5 = q, find log10 5 in terms of p and q.

7. A positive integer N with 3 digits is chosen at random. What is the probability that log2 N is an integer? [The
probability of drawing a face card - J,Q,K - from a deck of 52 cards is 12/52 = 3/13.]

8. Simplify the product P = (log2 3)(log3 4)(log4 5) ... (log31 32).

1 1 1
9. Simplify the expression E(x) = + − . Hence find E(2/3).
log 2 x log 3 x log 4 x

logb ( log a a 2 )
10. If P = , find aP.
logb a

11. Solve the equation logx (19x − 30) = 3 .

ANSWERS:

1. A lot of numbers. (Which?)

2. It is easier than you think.
3. x = 4
4. About 45 years
5. x = 1/6
3 pq
6.
1 + 3 pq
7. 1/300
8. P = 5
9. E(x) = logx(3/2); E(2/3) = -1
10. aP = 2
11. 2, 3