4

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC
EQUATIONS & INEQUALITITES
for General Mathematics
Senior High School (CORE)
Quarter 1 / Week 7

1
 FOREWORD

This Self Learning Kit for General Mathematics is designed

specifically for Grade 11 students in the Senior High School. Thus, a
modest background in grade school mathematics is important, written in
a precise, readable, and conventional manner to facilitate students’
understanding of the subject.
It is aligned with the BEC of the Department of Education
following the prescribed MELCs (Most Essential Learning
Competencies).
It has the following features proven to be valuable aids to learning
Mathematics even at home.
What Happened?
This section contains pre-activities like review of the prior
knowledge and a pre-test on what the learners have learned in their
previous discussions.
What I Need To Know? (Discussion)
This section contains definition of terms, properties of logarithmic
functions, examples and the corresponding solutions that clearly
illustrate the applicability of a mathematical concept.
What I have Learned? (Evaluation/Post Test)
The exercises contained in this section are guaranteed to build
mathematical comprehension, skills, and competence. These serve as a
diagnostic tool to identify the learners’ areas of strengths and
difficulties.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:
K: represent real-life situations using logarithmic functions and
distinguish logarithmic function, logarithmic equation and
inequality; Representing Real-life Situations Using
Lesson 1
S: solve logarithmic equationsFunctions
and inequalities; and
Logarithmic
A: appreciate the use of functions to real-life situations.

LESSON 1 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

AND INEQUALITIES

I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-TEST

Direction: Locate the words in the grid, running in either horizontal, vertical or diagonal
direction relative to the competencies to be mastered. Write your answer in your
notebook.
II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
Discussion
Represent real-life situation using logarithmic function

REAL LIFE SCENARIO OF LOGARITHM

Earthquake Intensity Measurement

Acidic Measurement of Solutions (pH Value)

Sound Intensity Measurement

Express Larger Values

Real-Life Application of Logarithm

A. Earthquake Intensity Measurement

To know about the real-life scenario of logarithms we start as an earthquake

Intensity measurement. For this, first we let to know some knowledge related to the
earthquake measurement instrument known as Seismograph which produces a graph
output known as Seismograph.

In the earthquake, a Seismic wave produces which travels through the Earth layer.
The seismic wave gives out an energy that causes the earth to shake and also gives out
low frequency acoustic energy.
The amplitude of the seismic waves decreases with distance. Now, the instrument
seismograph is based on a long logarithmic scale, which is developed by Charles Richter
in 1932 devised the first magnitude scale for measuring earhtquake magnitude.
 This is commonly known as the Richter Scale. The magnitude of an earthquake is
calculated by comparing the maximum amplitude of the signal with this reference event
at a specific distance.
The Richter Scale is a base -10 logarithmic scale, which defines magnitude as the
logarithm of the ratio of the magnitude of the seismic waves to an arbitrary, minor
amplitude.
A
M= log
S
Where A is the amplitude of the earthquake recorded by the Seismograph taken
from 100 km (approx.) from the epicenter of the earthquake and S is the standard
earthquake whose amplitude is 1 micron approx. The magnitude of the standard
earthquake is
S
M= log = log 1 =0
S
For example: if we note the magnitude of the earthqake on the Richter scale as 2,
then the next magnitude on the scale is explained in the following table.

Magnitude No. on Compared with the Magnitude 2

Richter Scale on the scale
(3-2)
3 10 =10 times stronger than 2
4 10(4-2)=102 times stronger than 2
5 10(5-2)=103 times stronger than 2
6 10(6-2)=104 times stronger than 2
7 10(7-2)=105 times stronger than 2
8 10(8-2)=106 times stronger than 2
9 10(9-2)=107 times stronger than 2

Now according to the Richter scale magnitude of the earthquake, ther is a lot of
bad effect on our environment which may be a danger to the real world. Its details are
given in the table.
Richter
Description Earthquake Effects
Magnitude
0-2.0 Micro Never felt by people
2.0-2.9 Minor Felt but not recorded
3.0-3.9 Minor Felt but not damaged cost
4.0-4.9 Light Ceiling lights swing but not damaged
5.0-5.9 Moderate Affects weak construction and cause wall crack
6.0-6.9 Strong Affects area up to 160 km from the epicenter

7.0-7.9 Major Affect area up too further area and cause several damaged
8.0-8.9 Great Affect area beyond 100 miles and cause severe damaged

9.0-9.9 Great Affect area beyond 1000 miles with disastrous effects

10+ Epic Never been recorded

A difference of 1 point on the Richter scale equates to a 10-fold difference in the

amplitude of the earthquake (which is related to the wave strength). This means that an
earthquake that measures 3.6 on the Richter scale has 10 times the amplitude of one that
measures 2.6.

B. Sound Measurement
Sound is measured in a logarithmic scale using a unit called a decibel. The
formula looks similar to the Richter scale:
𝑃
𝑑 = 10 log( )
𝑃0

where P is the power or intensity of the sound and P0 is the weakest sound that the
human ear can hear.

With decibels, every increase of 10 means the sound is 10 times more intense. An
increase of 20 would be 10 times more intense for the first 10, and another 10 times more
intense for the second 10—so a sound that is 75 decibels is 100 times more intense than a
sound that is 55 decibels!

C. Acidity of Liquid
The measure of acidity of a liquid is called the pH of the liquid. This is based on
the amount of hydrogen ions (H+) in the liquid. The formula for pH is:

pH = −log[H+]

where [H+] is the concentration of hydrogen ions, given in a unit called mol/L (“moles
per liter”; one mole is 6.022 x 1023 molecules or atoms).
Liquids with a low pH (down to 0) are more acidic than those with a high pH. Water,
which is neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline, the opposite of acidic) has a pH of 7.0.

Definition of logarithmic function

The function y = 2 x and every exponential function of the form f ( x) = a x has a

corresponding inverse function called logarithmic function.
A logarithmic function is a function defined by y = log b x if and only if x = b y
for all positive real numbers x and b, and b≠1.
 However, there are exponential equations that are not easy to solve. For instance,
the equation 2 x = 3 , cannot be easily solved but has a solution. Since 21  3  22 then,
1 x  2.

But the exponential equation 2 x = 3 can be written as x = log 2 3. This is another

exponential equation of the form b x = N and can be written in its equivalent form
log b N = x.

Definition of Logarithmic Equation

A logarithmic equation in one variable is an equation involving logarithms of
expression containing the variable.
Examples.
EXPONENTIAL EQUATION LOGARITHMIC EQUATION
22 = 4 log 2 4 = 2
103 = 1,000 log10 1,000 = 3
1
1
25 2 = 5 log 25 5 =
2
4 x = 16 log 4 16 = x
*Note that the logarithm of a number to a certain base is merely the exponent of the base
used to raise that base to produce the number.

Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations

Let b be a positive real number and b≠1. Then, log b M = log b N , if and only if M=N.

Definition of Logarithmic Inequality

A logarithmic inequality in one variable is an inequality involving logarithmic
expressions.

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

POST TEST
A. Write YES if the situation represents logarithmic function or NO if it does not
represent a logarithmic function. Answer in your notebook.

1. The earthquake released approximately 1012 joules of energy, the magnitude on a

Richter scale is approximately 5. 1 and the earthquake releases approximately 39810717
time more energy than that of the reference earthquake.
 2. The decibel level of sound in a quite office is 10 -6 watts/m2. The corresponding sound
intensity in decibels is 60 decibels.

3. The population P after t units of time P(t) = P(0)ekt, where k is the constant relative
growth rate, and P(0) is the initial population, measure at time zero. The units of time
used in problems like these usually are proportional to the life span of the organisms of
the population.

4. A water solution contain 0.00001 moles of hydrogen ions. The pH level is 5.

5. The value of an investment depends not only on the interest rate, but how frequently
the interest is compounded. If, for example, a Php100 investment is made with 5%
interest compounded annually, after one year, the investment will be worth Php105. The
next year, the interest added to the value of the investment will be 5% of the Php105.
Compound interest causes the amount of interest earned to increase with every
compounding period.

B. Matching Type : Match the following items in Column A with its corresponding type
in Column B. Write the letter of your answer before each number. Answer in your
notebook.

Column A Column B
log 6 x2
1. 6 = x + 30 a. Logarithmic Function
2. log b 1 = 0 b. Logarithmic Equation
3. log 2 x 2 = log 2 (4 x − 4) c. Logarithmic Inequality
4. log 4 9  2 log 4 x
5. y = log b x
LESSON 2 SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
AND LOGARITHMIC INEQUALITIES

I. WHAT HAPPENED
Recall that:
• 𝑏 can be any positive real number except 1
• 𝑥 can be any real number
• The entire expression log 𝑏 𝑥 can be any real number (hence can be negative)

Pre-Test
Complete the tables below. Write your answer in your notebook.

x 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8

log1/2 𝑥

x 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8

log 2 𝑥

LOGARITHMS
Always remember….

logb a Logarithmic Form

by =a Exponential Form
b and a must be real numbers, b > 0, and b ≠ 1. So…. a and b MUST be positive and b
can never equal 1.

PROPERTIES of LOGARITHMS

Product of powers: bm bn =bm+n

bm
Quotient of powers: =bm-n
bn

Power of a power: (bm )n=bmn

II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
Discussion

Logarithmic Equation is an equation that contains one or more logarithms.

Properties of Logarithmic Equations

If b > 1, then the logarithmic function y = logb a is increasing for all a.

If 0< b < 1, then the logarithmic function y = logb a is decreasing for all a.
This means that logb a = logb c if and only if a = c.

Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations

Let b be a positive real number and b≠1. Then, log b M = log b N , if and only if M=N.

Strategies to Solve the Logarithmic Equations

1. Rewriting to exponential forms.
2. Using Logarithmic Properties.
3. Applying the one-to-one property of logarithmic functions.
4. The Zero Factor Property:
If ab=0, then a =0 and b=0.

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

Examples.
1. log 4 (2𝑥) = log 4 10
Solution: Checking:
log 4 (2𝑥) = log 4 10 log 4 (2𝑥) = log 4 10
2𝑥 10
= log 4 (2(5)) = log 4 10
2 2
x=5
log 4 10 = log 4 10
one-to-one property
2. log 𝑥 16 = 2
Solution: Checking:
log 𝑥 16 = 2 log 4 16 = 2
2
𝑥 = 16 42 = 16
𝑥 2 − 16 = 10
(x +4)(x-4) = 0 4 x 4 = 16
x =4, -4
factorization using (changing into exponential form)
𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏)
3. log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2
Solution: Checking:
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2 log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2
log 3 (2(5) − 1) = 2
log 3 (10 − 1) = 2
log 3 (9) = 2
 2x -1 = 32
2x -1 = 9
2x = 9 +1
2x = 10
2𝑥
= 10
2
x =5

(changing into exponential form)

4. Solve the logarithmic equation log 2 x 2 = log 2 (4 x − 4) .
Solution:
By applying the above-mentioned property,

x2 = 4x − 4 Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations

x − 4x + 4 = 0
2
Standard Form of the Quadratic Equation
( x − 2)( x − 2) = 0 Factoring
x−2=0
Zero Product Property
x=2
The solution set is {2}.

2
5. Solve the logarithmic equation 6log 6 x = x + 30 .
Solution:
2
6log 6 x = x + 30 Given
Express the equation in logarithmic form
log 6 ( x + 30) = log 6 x 2
x + 30 = x 2 Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations
Solving Quadratic Equations
x 2 − x − 30 = 0
Factoring
( x − 6)( x + 6) = 0
x = 6 or x = −5
The solution set is {-5, 6}.

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC INEQUALITIES

Definition of Logarithmic Inequality

A logarithmic inequality in one variable is an inequality involving logarithmic
expressions.
Properties of Logarithmic Inequalities
Given the logarithmic expression logb x,
If 0< b < 1, then x1 < x2 if and only if logb x1 > logb x2.
If b > 1, then x1 < x2 if and only if logb x1 < logb x2.
Tips:
There are two tips to remember when solving logarithmic inequalities.
• The direction of the inequality (< 𝑜𝑟 >) is based on whether the base b is greater
than 1 or less than 1.
• Check also that the resulting x values do not make any of the logarithms undefined.
Examples.
1. log 3 𝑥 < 4
Solution:
log 3 𝑥 < 4
3log3 𝑥 < 34
x < 34
x < 81
2. log 4 𝑥 ≥ 5
Solution:
log 4 𝑥 ≥ 5
4log4 𝑥 ≥ 45
x ≥ 45
x ≥ 1024

3. Solve the logarithmic inequality log2 (2x + 1)  3 .

Solution:
The relation M  log b N implies that M>N, and M and N are positive real
numbers..

log 2 (2 x + 1)  3
23  2 x + 1
8  2x + 1
8 − 1  2x
7  2x
7
x
2
7
x
2
7
The solution set is { x x  } .
2
4. Solve the logarithmic inequality log 4 9  2 log 4 x .
Solution:
log 4 9  log 4 x 2
9  x2
x2  9
x  3 or x  −3
 But should be x >0. Therefore, the solution set is {x 0  x  3} .

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

POST TEST
Solve for the value of x.
1. log3 (3x + 4) = log3 (5x − 7)
log5 (5x) = log5 35
2.
3. log 4 (12𝑥 − 8) = 3
4. log 3 𝑥 < 4
5. log 4 𝑥 ≥ 5
 REFERENCES

Crisologo, Leo Andrie A., et al. 2013. General Mathematics Teacher’s Guide. Pp.
98-100. Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources

Faylogna, Frelie T., Lanilyn L. Calamiong, and Rowena C. Reyes. 2018. General
Mathematics. Sta. Ana, Manila: Vicarish Publications and Trading, Inc.

Orines, Fernando B. 2016. Next Century Mathematics 11. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.

“Logarithmic Function”. Retrieved from

http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT2_RESOUR
CE/U18_L4_T2_text_final.html

1
 SYNOPSIS

This Self Learning Kit (SLK) enable learners to apply the

concepts of logarithmic functions to formulate and solve real-life
problems with precision and accuracy.
Learners are expected to represent real life situations using
logarithmic functions.
Let’s appreciate, discover, enjoy and create meaningful
learnings in (General Mathematics) through the concepts of
logarithmic functions.

WRITERS

LITTIE BETH SANGILAN BERNADEZ. Graduate of Bachelor of

Secondary Education Major in Mathematics at Cebu Normal
University, Cebu City and with Completed Academic Requirements
for Master of Arts in Education Major in Mathematics at the same
University. A Microsoft Education Ambassador since 2017, SHS District
Planning Coordinator of La Libertad 1 and STEM Strand Head at La
Libertad Technical-Vocational School SHS. Stationed at La Libertad
Technical-Vocational School, La Libertad District 1.

2
 3
PRE-TEST
A. 1. LOGARITHM
2. FUNCTION
3. EQUATION
4. INEQUALITY
5. SOLVE
POT TEST
1. YES
2. YES
3. NO
4. YES
5. NO
Lesson 2. Lesson 1.
ANSWER KEY
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO, EdD

Division Education Program Supervisor – MATHEMATICS

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

NAME OF WRITER
Littie Beth S. Bernadez

NAME OF ILLUSTRATOR/LAY-OUT ARTIST/TYPESETTER

Illustrator/Lay-out Artist

_________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
Mercyditha D. Enolpe
Rickleoben V. Bayking
Didith T. Yap
BETA QA TEAM
Name
Name
DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.