Logarithms

UPSC CDS Exam
Study Material for Mathematics

LOGARITHMS
● A logarithm of a number with a base is equal to another number. A logarithm is just the
opposite function of exponentiation. For example, if 102 = 100 then log10 100 = 2.
● Hence, we can conclude that,
Logb x = n or bn = x
Where b is the base of the logarithmic function.
● A logarithm is defined as the power to which number must be raised to get some other
values. It is the most convenient way to express large numbers. A logarithm has various
important properties that prove multiplication and division of logarithms can also be written
in the form of logarithm of addition and subtraction.
● The logarithm of a positive real number a with respect to base b, a positive real number not
equal to 1[nb 1], is the exponent by which b must be raised to yield a.
i.e by= a and it is read as “the logarithm of a to base b.”
● In other words, the logarithm gives the answer to the question “How many times a number
is multiplied to get the other number?”.
Example: How many 3’s are multiplied to get the answer 27?
If we multiply 3 for 3 times, we get the answer 27.
Therefore, the logarithm is 3.
The logarithm form is written as follows:
Log3 (27) = 3 ….(1)
Therefore, the base 3 logarithm of 27 is 3.
The above logarithm form can also be written as:
3x3x3 = 27
33 = 27 …..(2)
Thus, the equations (1) and (2) both represent the same meaning.
Logarithm Types
In most cases, we always deal with two different types of logarithms, namely
● Common Logarithm
● Natural Logarithm
Common Logarithm
The common logarithm is also called the base 10 logarithms. It is represented as log10 or simply log.
For example, the common logarithm of 1000 is written as a log (1000). The common logarithm
defines how many times we have to multiply the number 10, to get the required output.
For example, log (100) = 2
If we multiply the number 10 twice, we get the result 100.
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm is called the base e logarithm. The natural logarithm is represented as ln or
loge. Here, “e” represents the Euler’s constant which is approximately equal to 2.71828. For
example, the natural logarithm of 78 is written as ln 78. The natural logarithm defines how many we
have to multiply “e” to get the required output.
For example, ln (78) = 4.357.
Thus, the base e logarithm of 78 is equal to 4.357.
Logarithm Rules and Properties

There are certain rules based on which logarithmic operations can be performed. The names of
these rules are:
● Product rule
● Division rule
● Power rule/Exponential Rule
● Change of base rule
● Base switch rule
● Derivative of log
● Integral of log
Let us have a look at each of these properties one by one
Product Rule
In this rule, the multiplication of two logarithmic values is equal to the addition of their individual
logarithms.
Logb (mn)= logb m + logb n
For example: log3 ( 2y ) = log3 (2) + log3 (y)
Division Rule
The division of two logarithmic values is equal to the difference of each logarithm.
Logb (m/n)= logb m – logb n
For example, log3 ( 2/ y ) = log3 (2) -log3 (y)
Exponential Rule
In the exponential rule, the logarithm of m with a rational exponent is equal to the exponent times
its logarithm.
Logb (mn) = n logb m
For example: logb(23) = 3 logb 2
Change of Base Rule
Logb m = loga m/ loga b
For example: logb 2 = loga 2/loga b
Base Switch Rule

logb (a) = 1 / loga (b)
For example: logb 8 = 1/log8 b
Derivative of log
If f (x) = logb (x), then the derivative of f(x) is given by;
f'(x) = 1/(x ln(b))
For example: Given, f (x) = log10 (x)
Then, f'(x) = 1/(x ln(10))
Integral of Log
∫logb(x)dx = x( logb(x) – 1/ln(b) ) + C
Example: ∫ log10(x) dx = x ∙ ( log10(x) – 1 / ln(10) ) + C
Other Properties
Some other properties of logarithmic functions are:
● Logb b = 1
● Logb 1 = 0
● Logb 0 = undefined
Logarithmic Formulas
logb(mn) = logb(m) + logb(n)
logb(m/n) = logb (m) – logb (n)
Logb (xy) = y logb(x)
Logbm√n = logb n/m
m logb(x) + n logb(y) = logb(xmyn)
logb(m+n) = logb m + logb(1+nm)
logb(m – n) = logb m + logb (1-n/m)
Solved Examples
Question 1: Solve log 2 (64) =?
Solution:
since 26= 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64, 6 is the exponent value and log 2 (64)= 6.
Question 2: What is the value of log10(100)?

Solution: In this case, 10 2 yields you 100. So, 2 is the exponent value, and the value of log10(100) = 2
Question 3: Use of the property of logarithms, solve for the value of x for log3 x= log3 4+ log3 7
Solution: By the addition rule, log3 4+ log3 7= log 3 (4 * 7 )
Log 3 ( 28 ). Thus, x= 28.
Question 4: Solve for x in log 2 x = 5

Solution: This logarithmic function can be written In the exponential form as 2 5 = x
Therefore, 2 5= 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32, X= 32.
Logarithmic Function Definition

The logarithmic function is defined as an inverse function to exponentiation. The logarithmic
function is stated as follows
For x, a > 0, and a≠1,
y= loga x, if x = ay
Then the logarithmic function is written as:
f(x) = loga x
The most common bases used in logarithmic functions are base e and base 10. The log function
with base 10 is called the common logarithmic function and it is denoted by log10 or simply log.
f(x) = log10
The log function to the base e is called the natural logarithmic function and it is denoted by loge.
f(x) = loge x
To find the logarithm of a number, we can use the logarithm table instead of using a mere
calculation. Before finding the logarithm of a number, we should know about the characteristic part
and mantissa part of a given number:
● Characteristic Part – The whole part of a number is called the characteristic part. The
characteristic of any number greater than one is positive, and if it is one less than the
number of digits to the left of the decimal point in a given number. If the number is less than
one, the characteristic is negative and is one more than the number of zeros to the right of
the decimal point.
● Mantissa Part – The decimal part of the logarithm number is said to be the mantissa part
and it should always be a positive value. If the mantissa part is in a negative value, then
convert into the positive value.
How to Use the Log Table?

The procedure is given below to find the log value of a number using the log table. First, you have to
know how to use the log table. The log table is given for the reference to find the values.
Step 1: Understand the concept of the logarithm. Each log table is only usable with a certain base.
The most common type of logarithm table is used is log base 10.
Step 2: Identify the characteristic part and mantissa part of the given number. For example, if you
want to find the value of log10 (15.27), first separate the characteristic part and the mantissa part.
Characteristic Part = 15
Mantissa part = 27
Step 3: Use a common log table. Now, use row number 15 and check column number 2 and write
the corresponding value. So the value obtained is 1818.
Step 4: Use the logarithm table with a mean difference. Slide your finger in the mean difference
column number 7 and row number 15, and write down the corresponding value as 20.
Step 5: Add both the values obtained in step 3 and step 4. That is 1818+20= 1838. Therefore, the
value 1838 is the mantissa part.
Step 6: Find the characteristic part. Since the number lies between 10 and 100, (101 and 102), the
characteristic part should be 1.
Step 7: Finally combine both the characteristic part and the mantissa part, it becomes 1.1838.
Example: Find the value of log10 2.872
Solution:
Step 1: Characteristic Part= 2 and mantissa part= 872
Step 2: Check the row number 28 and column number 7. So the value obtained is 4579.
Step 3: Check the mean difference value for row number 28 and mean difference column 2. The
value corresponding to the row and column is 3
Step 4: Add the values obtained in step 2 and 3, we get 4582. This is the mantissa part.
Step 5: Since the number of digits to the left side of the decimal part is 1, the characteristic part is
less than 1. So, the characteristic part is 0
Step 6: Finally combine the characteristic part and the mantissa part. So, it becomes 0.4582.
Therefore, the value of log 2.872 is 0.4582.
Practice Questions
1. Express 53 = 125 in logarithm form.
Solution:
53 = 125
As we know,
ab = c ⇒ logac=b
Therefore;
Log5125 = 3
2. Express log101 = 0 in exponential form.

Solution:
Given, log101 = 0
By the rule, we know;
logac=b ⇒ ab = c
Hence,
100 = 1
3. Find the log of 32 to the base 4.

Solution: log432 = x
4x = 32
(22)x = 2x2x2x2x2
22x = 25
2x=5
x=5/2
Therefore,
log432 =5/2
4. Find x if log5(x-7)=1.
Solution: Given,
log5(x-7)=1
Using logarithm rules, we can write;
51 = x-7
5 = x-7
x=5+7
x=12
5. If logam=n, express an-1 in terms of a and m.

Solution:
logam=n
an=m
an/a=m/a
an-1=m/a
6. Solve for x if log(x-1)+log(x+1)=log21

Solution: log(x-1)+log(x+1)=log21
log(x-1)+log(x+1)=0
log[(x-1)(x+1)]=0
Since, log 1 = 0
(x-1)(x+1) = 1
x2-1=1
x2=2
x=± √2
Since, log of negative number is not defined.
Therefore, x=√2
7. Express log(75/16) - 2log(5/9) + log(32/243) in terms of log 2 and log 3.

Solution: log(75/16) - 2log(5/9) + log(32/243)
Since, nlogam = logamn
⇒ log(75/16) - log(5/9)2 + log(32/243)
⇒ log(75/16) - log(25/81) + log(32/243)
Since, logam - logan = loga(m/n)
⇒ log[(75/16) ÷ (25/81)] + log(32/243)
⇒ log[(75/16) × (81/25)] + log(32/243)
⇒ log(243/16) + log(32/243)
Since, logam + logan = logamn
⇒ log(32/16)
⇒ log2
8. Express 2logx + 3logy = log a in logarithm free form.

Solution: 2logx + 3logy = log a
logx2 + logy3 = log a
logx2y3 = log a
x2y3 = log a
9. Prove that: 2log(15/18) - log(25/162) + log(4/9) = log2

Solution: 2log(15/18) - log(25/162) + log(4/9) = log2
Taking L.H.S.:
⇒ 2log(15/18) - log(25/162) + log(4/9)
⇒ log(15/18)2 - log(25/162) + log(4/9)
⇒ log(225/324) - log(25/162) + log(4/9)
⇒ log[(225/324)(4/9)] - log(25/162)
⇒ log[(225/324)(4/9)]/(25/162)
⇒ log(72/36)
⇒ log2 (R.H.S)
10. Express log10(2+1) in the form of log10x.

Solution: log10(2+1)
= log102 + log101
= log10(2×10)
= log1020

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UPSC CDS Exam

Study Material for Mathematics

Logarithm Rules and Properties

Let us have a look at each of these properties one by one

Base Switch Rule

Question 2: What is the value of log10(100)?

Question 4: Solve for x in log 2 x = 5

Logarithmic Function Definition

How to Use the Log Table?

2. Express log101 = 0 in exponential form.

3. Find the log of 32 to the base 4.

5. If logam=n, express an-1 in terms of a and m.

6. Solve for x if log(x-1)+log(x+1)=log21

7. Express log(75/16) - 2log(5/9) + log(32/243) in terms of log 2 and log 3.

8. Express 2logx + 3logy = log a in logarithm free form.

9. Prove that: 2log(15/18) - log(25/162) + log(4/9) = log2

10. Express log10(2+1) in the form of log10x.

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