The logarithm properties or rules are derived using the laws of
exponents. That’s the reason why we are going to use the
exponent rules to prove the logarithm properties below.
Most of the time, we are just told to remember or memorize
these logarithmic properties because they are useful. But in
this lesson, we are going to provide justifications or simple
proofs why they are true.
Prove the Four (4) Properties of
Logarithms
1) Product Property:
2) Quotient Property:
3) Power Property:
4) The Change of Base Property:
It is true that a logarithmic equation can be expressed as an
exponential equation, and vice versa. In other words,
logarithms and exponentials are equivalent.
I. Conditional Statement
First, consider the conditional statement “if , then
.” We can also write the statement symbolically to
denote implication using the rightward arrow, →. This
conditional statement is true by definition.
Examples:
1.
2.
3.
II. Converse of the Conditional Statement
The converse of the original statement is true as well by
definition, that is, “if , then .” We can also
write it symbolically as:
Examples:
1.
2.
3.
III. Biconditional Statement
Since the conditional statement and its converse are both true,
they are a biconditional statement. We use “if and only if” or the
double-headed arrow, ⟷, to denote a biconditional statement.
Thus, “ if and only if .” Writing it symbolically,
we have:
This means essentially that there is an equivalence between
logarithmic statements and exponential statements.
Thus, given a logarithmic statement, we can express it as an
exponential statement. In the same manner, if we have an
exponential statement, we can transform it into a logarithmic
statement.
Now, let’s get started proving the four (4) logarithm properties
or rules.
Save this article
Enter your email address and we'll send it straight to your inbox.
Step 3: Since we are proving the product property, we will
multiply by . Simplify by applying the product rule of
exponent. That is, copy the common base then add the
exponents.
Step 4: Take the logarithms of both sides of the equation.
Focus your attention on the right side of the equation. Simplify
it using the Logarithm of a Base to a Power Rule. I placed the
rule below for your convenience.
Step 5: Finally, substitute back the expressions for and
that we assigned in Step 1.
or
Step 1: Assume that and .
Step 2: Express each logarithmic equation as an exponential
equation.
Step 3: We want to prove the Quotient Rule of Logarithm so
we will divide by , therefore our set-up is . Remember
when dividing exponents, you copy the common base then
subtract the exponent of the numerator by the exponent of the
denominator.
That means, we get:
Step 4: Take the logarithm with base of both sides of the
equation. The choice of base is intentional because we want
to get rid of the base on the right side of the equation.
Therefore, we have:
Step 5: Since we assume in our first step that and
, we replace and by their corresponding log
expressions. This results to the Quotient Property of Logarithm
as intended.
Step 1: Suppose .
Step 2: Rewrite as an exponential equation.
Use the rule below when transforming log equation into an
exponential equation.
Rule on how to convert log to exponential equation:
Step 3: Raise both sides of the equation to the power.
Step 4: Perform logarithms with base to both sides of the
equation then simplify.
Use this handy rule to simplify the
right-hand side of the equation.
Step 5: In step 1, we suppose . The final step is
to substitute the expression of as logs into the right side of
the equation.
We just need to clean up the right side of the equation by
putting the variable in front of the log expression. And we are
done!
Step 1: Let .
Step 2: Express as an exponential equation.
Step 3: Take the logarithms with a different base of both sides
of the exponential equation, .
The choice of the base doesn’t matter as long as the base is
greater than zero but doesn’t equal . As you can see below, I
use different bases for emphasis which are , , , and .
For simplicity’s sake, we will use the first one on the list which
is .
Step 4: Now, apply the Power Rule of Logarithm on the right
side of the exponential equation to bring down the exponent .
Then solve for by dividing both sides of the equation by
.
Step 5: Our last step is to substitute back the expression for
. We established it in Step 1.
or
You might also like these tutorials:
Logarithm Rules
Stay informed about the latest lessons as they become
available on our website.
Tags: Advanced Algebra, Lessons
Categories
Advanced Algebra
Algebra Quizzes
Algebra Word Problems
Basic Math
Basic Math Proofs
Basic Number Theory
Geometry
Intermediate Algebra
Introductory Algebra
Lessons
Math Quizzes
Trigonometry
