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Pure Math Cape Unit 1 Logarithms

Exponential functions have the form f(x) = ax and their graphs pass through the point (0,1). Logarithms express the index of an exponential function. The laws of logarithms state that loga(xy) = logax + logay, loga(x/y) = logax - logay, and logaxn = nlogax. Logarithms can be used to solve equations of the form ax = b by taking the log of both sides and applying the laws of logarithms to isolate the variable.

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274 views3 pages

Pure Math Cape Unit 1 Logarithms

Exponential functions have the form f(x) = ax and their graphs pass through the point (0,1). Logarithms express the index of an exponential function. The laws of logarithms state that loga(xy) = logax + logay, loga(x/y) = logax - logay, and logaxn = nlogax. Logarithms can be used to solve equations of the form ax = b by taking the log of both sides and applying the laws of logarithms to isolate the variable.

Uploaded by

Hugh Ingram
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Exponentials & Logarithms

Exponential functions

Functions of the form:

f(x) = ax

are known as exponential functions. The graphs of all such exponential functions pass through
(0, 1).

Logarithms

Logarithms are another way of writing indices.

 If a = bc then c = logba

Example

We know that 102 = 100


Therefore, log10100 = 2

You may often see ln x and log x written, with no base indicated. It is generally recognised that
this is shorthand:
 logex = lnx
 log10x = lgx or logx (on calculators)

Remember that e is the exponential function, equal to 2.71828…

Laws of Logs

The properties of indices can be used to show that the following rules for logarithms hold:

 logax + logay = loga(xy)


 logax – logay = loga(x/y)
 logaxn = nlogax

Example

Simplify: log 2 + 2log 3 - log 6


= log 2 + log 3² - log 6
= log 2 + log 9 - log 6
= log (2 × 9) - log 6
= log 18 - log 6
= log (18/6)
= log 3

NB: In the above example, I have not written what base each of the logarithms is to. This is
because for the laws of logarithms, it doesn"t matter what the base is, as long as all of the logs
are to the same base.

Another important law of logs is as follows. This is a very useful way of changing the base (in
this formula, the base does matter!). Most calculators can only work out ln x and log10x (usually
just written as "log" on the button) so this formula can be very useful.

Example

Calculate, to 3s.f., log35

 
log35 = log105 = 1.46 (3s.f.)
           log103

Solving Equations

Logarithms can be used to help solve equations of the form ax = b by "taking logs of both sides".

Example

Solve 2x = 6

Then log(2x) = log(6) [we are allowed to take logs of both sides like this]

x log(2) = log(6) [using one of the "laws of logs"]

x = log(6)
      log(2)

(= 2.58...)

Notice how I haven"t said what the base is. This is because it doesn"t matter, as long as they are
both the same. 

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