DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

CHAPTER 1
INDICES, SURD & LOGARITHMS
1.1 INDICES

We can write 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 as 25 . This is known as the power (sometimes

called an exponent or index); 𝒂 to the power 𝑥 is written as 𝒂𝒙 .So 𝒂𝒙 is an
expression in which 𝒂 is the base and 𝑥 is the power

Properties of Indices.

No Rules of Indices Example

1 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 × 𝑎 × 𝑎 × … × 𝑎 (− 4)6 =

2 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎 ≠ 0 (−0.3)0 =
1
3 𝑎−𝑛 = 3−2 =
𝑎𝑛
1 1
4 𝑛
𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎 32 =
𝑚 𝑛 𝑚 2
𝑛
5 𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎𝑚 = ( √𝑎) 83 =

6 𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 23 × 22 =

7 𝑎𝑚 ÷ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 25 ÷ 22 =

8 (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 (22 )3 =

9 (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚 𝑏 𝑚 (2 × 5)3 =

𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚 3 3
10 ( ) = 𝑚 ( ) =
𝑏 𝑏 5

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 1 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
EXAMPLES 1:
1. Write the following in form of indices.
(a) 64 (b) 125 (c) 729

(d) 23  27  2−4  29 (e) 32  35  3−7 (f) 52  57  25  23

2. Simplify:
35 ×36 18𝑥 2 𝑦 5
(a) (b) (c) (3𝑥 5 )2
34 3𝑥 4 𝑦

3. Write the following expressions in index form:

1 1 3 54𝑥 4
(a) (b) (𝑥 4 )2 (c) √
2𝑥 4 2𝑥

4. Without using calculator, evaluate:

1
−
3
11 −2 3
−
(a) 9 2 (b) (1 25) (c) (0.04) 2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 2 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
5. Simplify the following expression
1
2 −8 2
(a) (25 x y ) (b) (3t 4 9t )3

1 1
2
a x b 3 2 22 n + 4 − 3(22 n +1 )
(c) (d)
1
10(2n ) 2
1
2
2
a bx

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 3 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

SOLVING INDICES EQUATIONS

Important:
➢ The equation can have equal base or indices so that we can equate the
indices or base of both sides.
➢ For positive real number (a  1) if a x = a y , then, x = y
➢ If the equation can’t have equal base, we take log10 for both sides.

6. Find the value of 𝑥 when:

2
1
(a) 5𝑥 = 125 (b) 𝑥3 = 4 (c) 32𝑥 =
3

16 𝑥 8
35( x+1) = 32 x−1 1
2
(d) (81) = 27 (e) (f) 49𝑥 =
73𝑥−2

(g) 27𝑥+1 = 9𝑥−1 (h) 2x 4x−1 = 82 x−1 (i) 27 x 23x = 6

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 4 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
7. Solve the following equations
2 + x−32)
(a) 125x = 25( x +3 x−1) 343− x = 7( x
2
(b)

8. Solve the following equations

(a) 9𝑥 − 4(3𝑥 ) + 3 = 0 (b) 32𝑥 − 10(3𝑥 ) + 9 = 0

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 5 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
(c) 52𝑥+1 = 6(5𝑥 ) − 1 (d) 4𝑥+1 − 5(2𝑥 ) + 1 = 0

(e) 3(52−𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 + 10 (f) 22𝑡 + 4(2𝑡 ) − 32 = 0

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 6 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
1.2 SURD

An irrational number in the form √𝑏 where 𝑏  𝑄. The symbol √ is called a

𝑛

3
surd, 𝑛 is called the index, and 𝑏 is called the radicand. For example, √2, √4.

Properties of surds.

No Rules of Surd Example

𝑛 3
1 √𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 √53 =
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 5 5
2 √𝑎 √𝑏 = √𝑎𝑏 √2 √4 =
𝑛
𝑛𝑎 √𝑎 3𝑥
3 √ =𝑛 √ =
𝑏 √𝑏 𝑦

4 √𝑎 × √ 𝑎 = 𝑎 √3 × √3 =

2 2
5 (√𝑎 + √𝑏) = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 2√𝑎𝑏 (√3 + √4) =

𝑚 4 2
6 √ 𝑛√𝑎 = 𝑚𝑛
√𝑎 √ √3 =

7 𝑎√𝑏 + 𝑐√𝑏 = (𝑎 + 𝑐)√𝑏 4√5 + 3√5 =

Caution:
a +b  a + b

2
( a ) +  b 
 2
 a + b  2 
   

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 7 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

General form for surds;

a +b c

EXAMPLES 2:
1. Simplify:
(a) √45 (b) √24 (c) 6 √7 + 2 √7

√200
(d) 5√3 − √27 (e) 2√20 + 5√45 (f)
√40

2. Multiply and simplify:

(a) 3 √6 × 5 √ 7 (b) 7√8 × 10√6

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 8 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
(c) √3(4√7 − √3) (d) 8√2(5√6 + √2)

(e) (√3 + √2)(√5 + √7) (f) (√3 − 2√2)(√3 + √2)

(g) (2√5 − 2)(7√5 + 6) (h) (2√3 + 4√2)(6√3 + 2√2)

(i) (√3 − √8)2 (j) (4√3 − 3√2)2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 9 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
3. Express surd in simplified form
6
(a) √12𝑥 3 𝑦 5 𝑧 2 (b) √16𝑥 4 𝑦 2

Simplifying Surd Form

No surd appears in a denominator

Simplify

𝒂 𝑎 𝑎 √𝑏
= × =
√𝒃 √𝑏 √𝑏 √𝑏

𝟑 3 √3 √5
√ √ = × =
𝟓 5 √5 √5

The Conjugate
Conjugate

√𝒂 − √𝒃

√𝒂 + √𝒃

𝒂 − √𝒃

√𝒂 + 𝒃

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 10 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

The conjugate of √𝑎 + √𝑏 is√𝑎 − √𝑏

= (√𝑎 + √𝑏) × (√𝑎 − √𝑏)
2 2
= (√𝑎) − (√𝑏)
= 𝑎 − 𝑏 is a real number

Example,
The conjugate of √5 + √2 is √5 − √2,
= (√5 + √2) × (√5 − √2)
=
=
=

Expanding the surd expression.

Useful properties:
(a) (a + b)(c + d ) = ac + ad + bc + bd
(b) (a + b)2 = a 2 + 2ab + b2
(c) (a − b)2 = a 2 − 2ab + b2
(d) (a + b)(a − b) = a 2 − b2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 11 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
Rationalizing the denominator

When a surd appears in the denominator of a fraction we usually rationalize

the denominator by multiplying the numerator and denominator by
(a) itself,
(b) its conjugate.

4. Rationalize:
5 3
(a) (b)
√3 2√3

1 2√3
(c) (d)
7−√2 5−√3

5. Rationalize the denominator and simplify.

(a) 5 (b) 1
3− x 2 7+ 6

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 12 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

(c) 17 − 5 (d) 5+ 3
17 + 5 2 10 − 6

3 1 
(e) − (f) 1+ 2  +  1− 2 
1+ 3 1− 3 
2   1+ 2 
 1−

3+ 2 8−5 6
(g) + 2 (h) + 23 2
3− 2 3+ 2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 13 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

SOLVING SURDS EQUATIONS

(a) To solve surd equation, we have to eliminate the ‘surds’ sign by

squaring both sides.
(b) If there is 1 surds sign, then we do once squaring both sides. If there
are 2 surds signs, then we do twice squaring both sides.

We know, ( a ) = a . For example, ( )

2 2
(c) x+2 =x+2

(d) It is useful to use (a  b)2 = a 2  2ab + b2 .

(e) If there are 2 surds, it easy if we let 1 surd at each sides.
(f) REMEMBER: Check whether both values satisfy the original equation.

6. Solve each of the following equation:

(a) 2x − 4 = 3 (b) 2x −1 − 5 = 0

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 14 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
(c) 3x + 1 + 1 = x (d) x−2 + x =8

(e) √𝑥 + √𝑥 + 2 = 2 (f) √𝑥 + 13 − √7 − 𝑥 = 2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 15 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

(g) x +1 = 3 − x (h) 3x + 1 = x − 3

4x 6
(i) =3 (j) x + 5 +1 =
1− x x+5

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 16 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
1.3 LOGARITHMS

Common Logarithms
Logarithm is a number 𝑦(𝑦 > 0) for any given base 𝑎(𝑎 > 0) and is written as
log 𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑥 where 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 and 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

Natural Logarithms
The natural logarithmic function and the natural exponential function are inverse
functions of each other. The symbol ln 𝑥 is an abbreviation for log e 𝑥, and we
refer to it as the natural logarithms of 𝑥.

Definition of Common Logarithms Definition of Natural Logarithms

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝒙, for every 𝒙 > 𝟎 𝐥𝐧 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒆 𝒙, for every 𝒙 > 𝟎

Properties of Logarithm

No Rules of logarithm Examples

1. log 𝑎 𝑥𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥 + log 𝑎 𝑦 log10 2 × 3 =
𝑥 2
2. log 𝑎 = log 𝑎 𝑥 − log 𝑎 𝑦 log 5 =
𝑦 3
3. log 𝑎 𝑥 𝑏 = 𝑏 log 𝑎 𝑥 log 3 82 =

4. log 𝑎 𝑎 = 1 log 7 7 =

5. log 𝑎 1 = 0 log 8 1 =
6. log 𝑎 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥 log 2 23 =
7. 𝑎log𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥 2log2 3 =

log 𝑎 𝑥
8. log 𝑏 𝑥 = log 2 7 =
log 𝑎 𝑏

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 17 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
CHANGE THE BASE OF LOGARITHMS
(a) It is useful to know how to change the base of a logarithm to a
suitable base.
(b) Why? → To solve logarithmic equations or to prove a logarithmic
equality.
(c) Let say we want to change base a to base c ;

logc b logc c 1
log a b = or log a c = =
logc a logc a logc a

(d) Special logarithms:

(i) Common log = log10 x

(ii) Natural log = loge x  ln x

EXAMPLES 3:
1. For each of the following, write down an expression for a logarithm in a
suitable base:
1 −2
(a) 8 = 23 (b) 32 = 9 (c) (5) = 25

2. Expand:
𝑒3
(a) ln 4𝑥 (b) log 10𝑥 (c) ln
7

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 18 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
3. Given log 2 = 0.301 and log 6 = 0.778 find log 12.

4. Given log 6 = 0.778, find log 36.

5. Write the following as single logarithms:

(a) log 8 – log 6 + log 9 (b) 2 ln(𝑥 + 7) – ln 𝑥

(c) log a 8 − log a 4 + log a ( x + 3) (d) 2log 2 y − 3log 2 3 y

(e) loga xy + loga y − loga x (f) log a ( x + y) − log a ( x2 − y 2 )

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 19 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
6. Find the following expression to four decimal places.
(a) log 3 5 (b) log 5 10

7. Evaluate each of the following without using calculator

(a) log 2 64 − log 2 4 (b) log5 25  log 2 8

(c) log 2 8 + log 2 32 (d) log3 81  log3 9

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 20 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
8. Given that log3 h = 2 and log3 k = 5 , find the value of each of the
following.
(a) log3 hk 2 (b) log3 9(hk )3

 h  27
(c) log3  (d) log3
 27k  h3 k 2
 

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 21 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
9. If log9 x = log3 ( x − 3) , show that x2 − 7 x + 9 = 0 .

10. If log5 x = t , express the following logarithms in terms of t,

(a) log x 25 (b) log25 x

11. Without using a calculator, evaluate each of the following

(a) log5 2  log7 5  log 2 7

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 22 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
(b) log 25 9  log 4 5  log 2 3

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 23 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022

SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

1. We will use the properties of log, but the most used are:
(i) Change the base of log
(ii) Express log in index forms

2. There are 2 methods in solving log equations.

(i) Substitution
(ii) Equate the log with same base

3. REMEMBER: Check whether both values satisfy the original equation.

11. Find 𝑥 if ln 𝑥 = 4.7

Change to logarithmic form for the expression e = 7.

x
12.

13. Solve the equation log 2 𝑥 + log 2 (𝑥 − 7) = 3

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 24 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
14. Solve the equation 3 ln 2𝑥 − 4 = 2 ln 2𝑥.

15. Solve the equation ln ( 5 − x ) − ln ( −3 − x ) = ln (1 − 8 x ) .

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 25 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
16. Solve the equation log 3 𝑥 − 4 log 𝑥 3 + 3 = 0.

17. Solve the equation 2 log 4 x + log x 16 = 3.

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 26 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
18. Solve the equation log 2 ( x + 1) − log 4 x = 1

19. Solve the equation log 2 2 x = log 4 ( x + 3) .

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 27 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
x
20. Solve the equation log(2 + x) − 3log 2 = 2 + log( ) .
2

3
21. Solve the equation 2log x 3 − log3 x = .
2

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 28 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
22. Solve the equation e2 x − 3e x + 2 = 0.

23. Solve the equation e4 x + 4e2 x − 21 = 0.

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 29 of 30

DM015 CHAPTER 1 2021/2022
24. Solve the equation 32 x + 2 = 3x+1.

25. Solve the equation 41+ x − 8(2 x ) + 3 = 0.

Mathematics Unit, KMPk Page 30 of 30