LOGARITHMS

Single Type
1. If x + y + z = 12 & x2 + y2 + z2 = 96 & 1 1 1
 
x y z
= 36 then value
of x3 + y3 + z3 is
(A) 862 (B) 863
(C) 865 (D) 866
Ans: (D)
(x + y + z)2 = 144
x2 + 2xy = 144
 xy = 24
Now xyzxy = 36
 xyz = 2
3

x3 + y3 + z3 – 2
–
x3 – 2 = 12 (96 – 24)
x3 = 866

2. Solution of inequatity log x

log2  
(x2 – 10x + 22) > 0 is –
2

(A) (– , 3) (B) (5 – 3 , 3) (5 + 3 , 7)

(C) (0, 5 – 3 ) (3, 4) (D) (7, )
Ans: (D)
Inequality log (x2 – 10x + 22) > 0
x
log2  
…(1)
2

L.H.S. is valid if :

1
 x2 – 10x + 22 > 0 x
2
0

x < 5 – 3 or x > 5 + 3 x > 0

eqn (1) will be solved for two cases
(1) 0 < log2  x2  < 1
 

1 < x
2
<2= 2<x<4
log x
log2  
(x2 – 10x + 22) > 0
2

x2 – 10x + 22 < 1
x2 – 10x + 21 < 0  3 < x < 7
The common solution 3 < x < 4
(2) log2  x2  > 1 x2 > 2
 

x>4
log x
log2  
(x2 – 10x + 22) > 0
2

x2 – 10x + 22 > 1  x2 – 10x + 21 > 0

x < 3 or x > 7 common soln x > 7
two cases x  (3, 4)  (7, )
Now common solution with initial values
x  (7, )

3. If log0.3 (x – 1) < log0.09 (x – 1), then x lies in the interval -

(A) (2, (B) (1, 2)
(C) (–2, –1) (D) None of these
Ans: (A)
log0.3 (x – 1) < log(0.3)2 (x – 1)
2
  log0.3 (x – 1) < 1
2
log0.3 (x – 1)
log0.3 (x – 1)2 < log0.3 (x – 1)
(x – 1)2 > (x – 1)
(x – 1) (x – 2) > 0 x < 1 or x > 2
But log (x – 1) is defined if x – 1 > 0  x > 1
Common value is x >  (2, )

4. The least value of the expression 2log10x – logx(0.01), for x

> 1, is-
(A) 10 (B) 2
(C) –0.01 (D) None of these
Ans: (D)
logx.01 = –2 logx10
 1 
Thus expression = 2 [log10x + logx10]= 2 log 10 x  
 log 10 x 

Put log10x = 1
But x + 1x 2 if x > 0 and x + 1
x
 –2 if x < 0 least value of
expression = 4 because
log10x < 0 x > 1
So correct choice is [D]

5. The real roots of the equation 7 = x–1 are-

log7( x 2 4 x 5)

(A) 1 and 2 (B) 2 and 3

(C) 3 and 4 (D) 4 and 5
Ans: (B)

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 Since a = x  a > 0 and a  1
log a x

Here x2 –4x + 5 > 0

 x > 0 x  R because D = 16 – 20 < 0
We have x2 – 4x + 5 = x –1
x2 –5x + 6 = 0x = 2 and 3
Hence correct choice is [B]

6. If x = 1998!, then value of the expression 1

log 2 x
+ 1
log 3 x
+……+
1
log 1998 x
equals-
(A) –1 (B) 0
(C) 1 (D) 198
Ans: (C)
Sum = logx2 + logx3 + logx4 +…..+ logx1998
= logx 2.3.4…..1998 = logxx = 1
Hence correct choice is [C]

7. Which is the correct order for a given number  > 1 in

increasing order?
(A) log2, log3, loge, log10
(B) log10, log3, loge, log2
(C) log10, loge, log2, log3
(D) log3, loge, log2, log10
Ans: (B)
Since logx y > logx z

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  y > z if x > 1
y < z if 0 < x < 1
and logyx > logz x
 y < z if x > 1 and y, z > 1
Hence choice [B] is correct.

8. If log 7 2 = k then log 49 28 is equal to-

1 2k 1 2k
(A) 4
(B) 2
1 2k
(C) 3
(D) None of these
Ans: (B)
log 49 28 = 12 log7 (7 × 4) = 12 [ 1  2 log 2 ]
7

= 12 (1+2k) = 122k

9. The value of i log (x –i) + i2  + i3 log (x + i) + i4 (2 tan–1x)

where x > 0 and i =  1 is
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) 3
Ans: (A)
i log xx  ii –  + 2 tan–1 x = z (let)
 log  xi
 
x –i
= i (z +  –2 tan–1 x)
or x i
x –i
= ei where  = z  – 2 tan–1 x
x + i = x cos  + i x sin  + i sin  – i cos 
 x = cot

2
 = 2 cot –1
x
5
 or z +  – 2 tan–1 x = 2 cot–1 x  z = 0

10. The number of positive integers satisfying the equation x +

log10 (2x + 1) = x log105 +log106 is
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) infinite
Ans: (B)
x[1 – log105] + log10 (2x + 1) = log106
x[log1010 – log105] + log10 (2x + 1) = log106
x log102 + log10 (2x + 1) = log106
log102x (2x + 1) = log106
(2x)2 + 2x – 6 = 0
2x = 2 2x = – 3
x = 1, which is not possible +ve integer

Multiple Correct Type

11. If a  0 then the inequation |x – a| + |x + a| < b
(A) has no solution if b  2 |a|
(B) has a solution set   b2 , b2  if b > 2 |a|
 b b
(C) has a solution set  , 
 2 2
if b < 2 |a|
(D) has no solution if b > 2|a|
Ans: (A, B)
If a>0
2x < b if x > a

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 2a < b if – a < x < a
– 2x < b if x < – a
If a < 0 2x < – a if x > – a
– 2a < b if a < x < – a
– 2x < b if x < a
Hence b > 2|a| if – a < x < a
 b > 2|a| if x   b2 , b2   B is true and for
b  2|a| hence no solution
So A, B are true.

12. If logax = b for permissible values of a & x then which is/are

correct
(A) If a & b are true irrational numbers then x can be rational

(B) If a is rational & b is irrational then x can be rational

(C) If a is irrational & b is rational then x can be rational
(D) If a is rational & b is rational then x can be rational
Ans: (A, B, C, D)
(A)  x = ab
If a =  2  irrational
2

b = 2 irrational
then a =  2 
2
b  

2
 = 2 which is rational
 

(B) If a = 2 Q
b = log2 3 Q

7
 then ab = 3  Q
C & D can be easily checked

13. The x-values satisfying the equation 2

| x  1 |log3 x  2 log x 9 = (x – 1)7
is/are
(A) 1 (B) 1
3

(C) 2 (D) 81
Ans: (C, D)
L.H.S. + ve  x>1
So log3 x2 – 2logx9 = 7 or x –1=1  x = 2
2 log3x – 4 log1 x – 7 = 0
3

2(log3x)2 – 7 log3x – 4 = 0 log3x = –1/2, 4

x = 3–1/2, 34
x = 1 , 81
3
1
3
neglect because x > 1
So x = 2, 81

14. If x = 9 is solution of n (x2 +15a2) – n (a – 2) =n  a8ax2  then

3
(A) a = 5
(B) a = 3
(C) x = 15 (D) x = 2
Ans: (B, C)
a>2
Also a8ax2 > 0
8
 x>0 as a > 2
x 2  15a 2 8ax
Now a2

a2

 x2 – 8ax + 15a2 = 0
 x = 3a, 5a
x = 9 (given)
 x = 3, 95
But a > 2
 a=3
at a = 3  x = 9, 15

15. If y = log7–a (2x2 + 2x + a + 3) is defined xR then possible

integer value of a is/are
(A) 4 (B) – 3
(C) – 2 (D) 5
Ans: (A, C, D)
 2x2 + 2x + a + 3 > 0
D < 0
a >  52 ……(i)
Also 7–a>0
 a<7 ……(ii)
& 7–a1
a6 ……(iii)
from (i) (ii) & (iii)
a  25 ,6  (6, 7)
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16. In which of the following m > n (m, nR)
(A) m = (log25)2 & n = log 220
(B) m = log102 & n = log10 10 3

(C) m = log105. log1020 + (log102)2 & n = 1

(D) m = log  13  & n = log  12 
1/ 2 1/ 3

Ans: (A, D)
(A) m – n = (log25)2 – (log25 + 2) = (log25 – 2) (log25
+ 1) > 0
m > n
(B) m = 0·3010, n = 13 m<n
(C) m =(1 – log102)(1 + log102) = 1– log 2 < 1 2
10

(D) m = log23, n = log32 m>n

17. If log105 = a and log103 = b then-

ab
(A) log30 8 = 3 (b11a ) (B) log40 15 = 3  2a
1 a
(C) log24332 = b
(D) All above
Ans: (A, B, C, D)
3 log 2
(A) log30 8 = log 5  log 3  log 2

But log 2 = 1 – log 5 = 3 (1 – a) /(b + 1)

Hence choice [A] is true.
log 15
(B) log4015 = log 40
log 3  log 5 ab
= log 5  3[1 – log 5]
= 3  2a

10
 Hence choice [B] is true.
(C) log243 32 = log 2
log 3
= 1 log 5
log 3
= 1 b
a

Hence choice [C] is true.

Thus correct choice are (A),(B), (C) and (D)

18. Which among the following are true?

(A) 81 + 27 +3
(1 / log5 3)
= 890 (B) log 135
–
(1/ log9 36)
log 3
( 4 / log7 9) 3 log 3 5
log 405 3
=3
15

(C) log 3 135

log 15 3
– log 3 5
log 405 3
= 13 (D) All above
Ans: (A, B)
(A) (81) log3 5
 3log3 5 = 625
4

= (27)
(27) log9 36 log3 6
= 216
(3) =3
( 4 / log7 9) 4 log9 7

= (9 ) = 9 = 72 = 49
1/ 2 4 log9 7 2 log9 7

So sum = 890
 Choice [A] is true.
(B) [log3(33 × 5)]. [log3 (3×5)] – log35 [log3(34×5)] = 3
choice [B] is true.
If (B) is true (C) can’t be true.

19. The inequation (logx2) (log2x2) (log24x) >1

(A) has a meaning for all x (B) has a meaning if x > 2
(C) is satisfied in  2 , 12  (D) is satisfied in (1, 2 )
 2 2

 

Ans: (B, C, D)

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 logx 2 is defined x > 0 and x  3
log2x 2 is defined x > 0 and x  12
log24x is defined x > 0
 domain of function
(A) (logx2) (log4x2) (log24x) is x > 0
and x  1 and x  12
So choice [A] is ruled out.
(B) Since x > 2 is sub-set of domain f g(x).
So choice (B) is true.
Given expressions log 2x(1log logx x) > 1 put log2 x = t 
2 2t
t (1  t )
>1
2 2

If numerator and denominator > 0

 t2 + t –t –2 < 0
 – 2< t< 2
 2 <x< 2
 2 2

Choices (C) and (D) are satisfied

20. Integers satisfying the inequality log22 x + log2 0.03125x + 3

 0 is/are –
(A) – 1 (B) 0
(C) 2 (D) 1
Ans: (C, D)
(log2x)2 + log 2  1 
  + (log2x) + 3  0
 32 

(log2x)2 + (log2x) – 2  0

12
 (log2x + 2) (log2x – 1 0
– 2  log2x 1
 14  x 2
So integers are x = 1, 2

Numeric Type
log 5 250 1og 510
21. The number N = 
1og 50 5 1og1250 5
when simplified reduces to a
natural number N. Find N.
Ans: (2)
N = loglog 2505  log
log 10
5
5
5

50 1250

= (3 + log52) (2 +log52) – (1 + log52) (4 + log52)

= (log52)2 + 5 log52 + 6 – [(log52)2 + 5 log52 + 4]= 2

22. The number N = 6log102 + log1031 lies between two

successive integers whose sum equals 
Ans: (7)
 N = log1064 + log1031 = log101984
3<N<4

23. Suppose x, y, z > 0 & different from one and n x + n y

+n z = 0, then value of
1 1 1 1 1 1
 
x ny nz
. 
y nz nx . z nx ny
is e – k then k equals ………
Ans: (3)
13
 1 1 1 1 1 1
  
Let X = x ny nz
. y nz nx . z nx ny

n x = n x  n1 y  n1 z  + (n y)  1

 
1   1
   
1 
 (n z)
   n z n x   n x n y 

Now given n x + n y + n z = 0
 nn xy  nn yz = – 1
Similarly n y n z

n x n x
=–1 &
n x n y

n z n z
=–1
R.H.S. = – 3
n X = – 3
X = e–3

24. If log  x  = 1 & log(x2y 3) = 7 then log |xy| is equal to……..
2

3
y 

Ans: (3)
2logx – 3log y = 1
2log x + 3log y = 7
Solving log x = 2
& log y = 1  log x + log y = log xy = 3

25. The number of positive integers satisfying x + log10 (2x + 1)

= x log105 + log106 is …….
Ans: (1)
x (log1010 – log105) + log10(2x + 1) = log106
 x log102 + log10 (2x + 1) = log106

14
  log102x (2x + 1) = log106
 22x + 2x – 6 = 0
 (2x + 3) (2x – 2) = 0
 2x + 3  0  2x = 2
x = 1

26. If x, y, z be positive real numbers such that log2x z = 3, log5y

z = 6 and logxy z = 2/3 then the value of z is in the form of
m/n in lowest form then find value of n – m.
Ans: (9)
z = 8x3, z = 56y6, z = x2/3y2/3
z1 / 3 z1 / 6 z 2 /18
x= , y= , z= 1
2/3
z2/9.
2 5 2 52 / 3

z2/3 = (10)
1
2/3
z= 1
10
n – m = 9

C 5 P
27. Let P = log5 (log5 3). If 3 = 405 then C equals
Ans: (4)
 5– P = 5 5–P = log35  3 = 405
 log 5 log 5 (3) C  log3 5

(3C) (5) = 405 3C = 81  C = 4

28. Number of solution for | 3x2 – 2 | = [–2] is ([] denotes

greatest integer)
Ans: (0)
[– 2] = – 7  L.H.S. is positive
R.H.S. is negative  no solution
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29. Find all positive values of 'a' for which the equation log (ax)
= 2 log (x + 1) has the unique root.
Ans: (4)
log ax = 2 log (x + 1)
 ax = (x + 1)2  x2 + (2 –a) x + 1 = 0
Let x1 and x2 be roots
a  2  a 2  4a
x1 = 2
and
a  2  a 2  4a
x2 = 2

For solution exists a2 –4a  0

a 4, a 0
For positive values a  4
For a > 4, x1 and x2 are different
For a = 4, x1 and x2 are same
Hence a = 4.

30. If no. of zeroes after decimal in (0.15)20 is ab. Find b – a.

(Assume log 2 = 0.3010, log 3 = 0.4771)
Ans: (5)
log x = 20 (log 0.15)
= 20 [1 – log 2 + log 3 – 2]
= 20 [–1 + 0.176] = – 20 + 352 = – 17 + 0.52
c = – 17 no. of zeroes = | – 17 + 1 | = 16
ab = 16 b – a = 5

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