Logarithm is a way of writing numbers which are in exponential form. In Exponential Form, a number is raised to some power, and the value is calculated by multiplying the number by itself to the number of times equal to the power raised on it.
In Logarithm we try to find what power a number is raised that results in a particular number. Let’s say we need to find 4 3 we find it as 4×4×4 = 64 by the basics of Exponents that we have learned. But what if we need to find out what power is four is raised so that the result is 64? In this case, we need to find out by hit and trial but this technique will fail for large numbers, hence we need to solve by logarithm log 4 64 = 3.Â
Thus, we write 4 3 = 64 as log 4 64 = 3. In general terms, we can write it as a n = b or log a b = n.
In this article, we will learn the basics of logarithms along with techniques to solve questions also we will learn about logarithmic functions, their curve, differentiation, and integration in detail and examples.
History of Logarithms The creation of logarithms is credited to a Scottish Mathematician John Napier . In 1614 he presented his book named Canons of Logarithms which contained a table of trigonometric functions and their natural logarithms.
The purpose of the book was to help in the multiplication of quantities. The creation of Logarithms is considered one of the important scientific discoveries in the history of science that helped simplify calculations of spherical trigonometry and celestial navigation.
What is Logarithm? Logarithms are a way of determining the power to which a number is raised that gives a particular number. In simpler words, we can say that if a and b are two numbers such that ‘a’ is raised to some power that gives the number ‘b’ then logarithm is used to find what is the power that ‘a’ must be raised to yield ‘b’.
Logarithm is often referred to as the inverse process of exponents .
Logarithm Definition If a n = b then log or logarithm is defined as the log of b at base a is equal to n. It should be noted that in both cases base is ‘a’ but in the log, the base is with the result and not the power.
a n = b ⇒ log a b = n
where,Â
a is Base b is Argument a and b Positive Real Numbers n is Real Number
If a number is expressed in the exponential form for example an = b where a is the base, n is the exponent and b is the result of the exponent then to convert it into the logarithmic form the base ‘a’ remains base in logarithm, the result ‘b’ becomes an argument and the exponent ‘n’ becomes the result here.
a n = b ⇒ log a b = n
If the expression is in logarithmic form then we can convert it into exponential form by making the argument as a result and the result of logarithm becomes the exponent while the base remains the same. It can be better understood from the expression mentioned below:
log a b = n ⇒ a n = b
Logarithm Types Depending upon the base, there are two types of logarithm
Common Logarithm Natural Logarithm
1. Common Logarithm The logarithm with base 10 is known as Common Logarithm . It is written as log 10 X. The common logarithm is generally written as log only instead of log 10 .
Let’s see some example
Log10 = log 10 10 = 1 log1 = log 10 1 = 0 log1000 = log 10 1000 = 3
2. Natural Logarithm The logarithm with base e, where e is a mathematical constant is called Natural Logarithm . It is written as log e X. The natural logarithm is also written in the abbreviated form as ln i.e. log e X = ln X.
Let’s see some example:
log e 2 = X ⇒ e X = 2 log e 5 = y ⇒ e y = 5
Difference between Log and ln The basic difference between log and ln is tabulated below:
Log is the logarithmic expression at base 10. Ln is the logarithmic expression at base e.
It is given as log 10 X It is given as log e x
It is called a common log and is represented as log x It is called natural log and is represented as ln x
It is mostly used for solving large numbers and simplifying calculations. It is less commonly used
Related Read: Difference Between Log and Ln
Logarithm Rules and Properties The common Properties of Log are mentioned below:
Product Rule Division Rule Power Rule Change of Base Rule Base Switch Rule Equality of Log Number raised to Log Power Negative Log Rule
1. Product Rule of Log Product rule of log states that if log is applied to the product of two numbers then it is equal to the sum of the individual logarithmic values of the numbers. The expression can be given as:
log x ab = log x a + log x b
Example: loga10 = loga(5 ✕ 2) = loga5 + loga2
2. Quotient Rule of Log Quotient Rule of log states that if log is applied to the quotient of two numbers then it is equal to the difference of the individual logarithmic value of the numbers. The expression can be given as:
log x a/b = log x a – log x b
Example: log x 2 = log x (10/5) = log x 10 – log x 5
3. Power Rule of Log Power Rule of log states that if the argument is raised to some power then the solution of logarithmic expression is given by the power of the argument multiplied by the log value of the argument. The expression can be given as:
log x a b = b.log x a
4. Change of Base Rule In logarithm, the base can be changed in the following way
log x a = log y a/log y b
log x a.log y b = log y a
Complete Guide: Change of Base Rule
5. Base Switch Rule This log property states that Base and argument can be switched in the following manner
log x a = 1/log a x
6. Equality of Logarithm Equality of logarithm property states that if
log x a = log x b then a = b
7. Number Raised to Log If a number is raised to log which has the same base as the number then the result of the expression is the argument. This can be expressed as
8. Negative Log Rule The Negative Log Property states that if the logarithmic expression is of the form -log x a then we can convert it into a positive form by taking the reciprocal of the argument or by taking the reciprocal of the base as
-log x a = log x (1/a) = log 1/x a
Related Read: Laws of Logarithm
Some Other Properties of Log Apart from the above-mentioned properties, there are some other properties of Log. Using these properties we can directly put their values in any equation. These properties are mentioned below:
1. Log 1 This property of log states that the value of Log 1 is always zero, no matter what the base is. This is because any number raised to power zero is 1. Hence, Log 1 = 0.
2. Log a a This Property of Log states that if the base and augment of a logarithm are the same then the logarithm of that number is 1. This is because any number raised to power 1 results in the number itself. Hence,
3. Log 0 This rule states that the log of zero is not defined as there is no such number when raised to any power that results in zero. Hence, log 0 = Not defined.
Expanding and Condensing Logarithm A logarithmic expression can be expanded and condensed using the following Properties of Log
Product Rule of Log : log x ab = log x a + log x b Quotient Rule of Log : log x a/b = log x a – log x b Power Rule of Log : log x ab = b.log x a
1. Expanding Log Log can be expanded in the following manner.
Example: Expand log(2a 3 b 2 )
Solution:
log(2a 3 b 2 ) = log 2 + log a 3 + log b 2
= log 2 + 3 log a + 2 log b
2. Condensing Log A log can be condensed in the following manner just by following the reverse of the properties of log.
Example: Condense log 2 + 3 log a + 2 log b
Solution:
log 2 + 3 log a + 2 log b
= log 2 + log a3 + log b2
= 2a 3 b 2
The formulas for logarithm is tabulated below:
log1 0
log x x 1
log x (ab) log x a + log x b
log x (a/b) = log x a – log x b
log x (a) b = b.log x a
log x a = log y a/log y b
log x a = 1/log a x
-log x a log x (1/a) = log 1/x a
Related Read: Logarithm Formulas
Logarithmic Equations An equation that involves logarithmic expression equated to any number or other logarithmic term is called Logarithmic Equation.
In Logarithmic Equation we assume that the base of all the logarithmic terms is the same if no specific base is mentioned. In a Logarithmic Equation if the base of all the log terms is the same the calculation becomes easy as compared to the situation when the base of log terms is different.
To solve a Logarithmic Equation we need to remember some of the facts mentioned below:
If log a x = log a y ⇒ x = y
If y = log a x ⇒ a y = x
Let’s see some examples to solve logarithmic equations:
Example 1: Find x for ln 6 – ln(5 – x) = ln x
Solution:
Using Quotient Rule
ln{6/(5 – x)} = ln x
⇒ 6/(5 – x) = x
⇒ 5x -x 2 = 6
⇒ x 2 – 5x + 6 = 0
⇒ x 2 – 3x – 2x + 6 = 0
⇒ x(x – 3) – 2(x – 3) = 0
⇒ (x – 2)(x – 3) = 0
⇒ x = 2 or x = 3
Example 2: Find x for log 3 (3x + 6) = 3
Solution:
Using the formula, If y = log a x ⇒ a y = x
(3x + 6) = 3 3
⇒ 3x = 27 – 6
⇒ x = 21/3 = 7
Log Table Log Table is used to find the value of the log without the use of a calculator. The log table provides the logarithmic value of a number at a particular base.
A log table has mainly three columns. The first column contains two-digit numbers from 10 to 99, the second column contains differences for digits 0 to 9 and hence called the difference column and the third column contains mean difference from 1 to 9 and hence called mean difference column .
The log table for base e is called the natural logarithm table and that for base 2 is called the binary log table.
The logarithmic value of a number contains two parts named characteristics and mantissa both separated by a decimal. Characteristic is the integral part written o the left side of the table and can be positive or negative while the mantissa is the fraction or decimal that is always positive.
One needs to find characteristics and mantissa from the log table and combine them to get the logarithmic values.Â
Anti Log Table Antilog is the process of finding the inverse of the log of the number. This is used when the number is already given in log value and we need to find out the number for which log value is given. If log a = b then a = antilog (b).
Antilog table is helpful in finding the Antilog value without using the calculator. The antilog table also consists of 3 columns among which the first column contains numbers from .00 to .99, the second block which is the difference column contains digits from 0 to 9, and the third block which is the mean difference column contains digits from 1 to 9.
Using Log Table we have find out the characteristics and mantissa of a number while using the antilog table we will separate the characteristics and mantissa of the number.
Logarithmic Function A function that is given in the form of y = f(x) = log a x where a > 0 is called the logarithmic function. It is the inverse of the exponential function given as a y = x. The logarithmic function includes both natural and common logarithms.
Domain and Range of Logarithmic Function Domain of a function is the input value for which it gives an output.
The output obtained for the set of domains in which the function is defined is called the Range of the function.
We have learned that we find the log only of a non-negative number, hence the domain of the logarithmic function is a set of all non-negative real numbers (0, ∞).
The logarithmic function is both continuous and differentiable in its domain. We also observed that the logarithmic value of a logarithmic function is both positive and negative numbers. Hence, the range of the logarithmic function is a set of all Real Numbers i.e. (R).
Properties of Logarithmic Function The logarithmic function has the following properties
log xy = log x + log y log x/y = log x – log y log ab = log c b/log c a log 1 = 0 log 0 = Not defined log a a = 1
Limit of Logarithmic Function The fundamental formula for the limit of the logarithmic function is mentioned below:
Iim x→0 log e x = 1 Iim x→0 log e (1 + x)/x = 1 Iim x→0 log b (1 + x)/x = 1/log e b = log b e Iim x→0 log e (1 – x)/x = -1
Logarithmic Graph We know that the domain of Logarithmic Function is (0, ∞) and its range is a set of all real numbers. If we plot the graph using the set of domain and range we find that the graph of the logarithmic function is just the inverse of the graph obtained for the exponential function.
This indicates the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions. Also, the logarithmic graph is symmetric around the line y = x. We know that the value of log 1 is zero at any base value. Hence it has an intercept (1,0) on the x-axis and no intercept on the y-axis as log 0 is not defined.
Logarithmic Graph
Properties of Logarithmic Graph There are the following properties of the logarithmic Graph of function log a x
In logarithmic function base a > 0 and a ≠1 The graph of logarithmic function increases when a > 1 and decreases in the range 0 < a < 1. The domain of the function is a set of all positive numbers greater than zero. The range of the curve is a set of all real numbers.
Derivative of Log Derivative refers to the change in one quantity let’s say ‘y’ with respect to another quantity let’s say ‘x’. The derivative of a function y = f(x) is given by f'(x) = dy/dx. Below are some standard derivative formulas that involve the use of Euler’s number or a logarithmic function.
d/dx{e x } = e x d/dx(a x ) = a x .log e a | where a > 0 and a ≠1 d/dx(log e x) = 1/x, x > 0 d/dx(log a x) = 1/x(log a e) = 1/xlog e a | where x > 0
Logarithmic Differentiation Logarithmic Differentiation is used to find the derivative of a composite function using the concept of logarithm.
In order to differentiate a composite function with the technique of logarithmic differentiation, first simplify the function using log formulas and then differentiate it using the chain rule. Derivative of some composite functions using logarithmic differentiation is mentioned below:
y = f(x) g(x) dy/dx = d/dx{f(x) g(x) } = y[g'(x).logf(x) + g(x).f'(x)/f(x)]
y = f(x) = g(x) × h(x) dy/dx = f'(x) = h(x)×g'(x) + g(x)×h'(x)
y = f(x) = g(x)/h(x) dy/dx = f'(x) = f'(x) = [g'(x)×h(x) – g(x)×h'(x)] / h 2 (x)
The following articles should be referred to for details of the differentiation of the logarithmic function:
Integral of Log The integration of log x gives the area under the logarithmic curve. Here we integrate the natural log and not the common log i.e. the log with base e.
The integration of a logarithmic function is done by the technique of integration by parts. The priority order of taking functions as first and second is decided using the ILATE Rule .
Here, the logarithmic function is second in priority order. The formula for indefinite and definite integration of log e x or ln x is given below:
Indefinite Integral of log e x: ∫log e x dx = ∫ln x dx = x.lnx – x + C | where C is constant Definite Integral of log e x: ln x dx = -1
Applications of Logarithm Logarithm is an important concept to solve problems in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Logarithm is used to solve problems of pH and radioactive decay in chemistry. In Physics, the concept of log is used to solve problems based on the loudness of sound, celestial navigation, earthquake intensity, and many more. In mathematics, the concept of logarithm is used to solve larger powers in an easy manner.
Also Read,
For Students:
Logarithm Examples Example 1: Find log a 16 + 1/2 log a 225 – 2log a 2
Solution:
log a 16 + 1/2 ✕ 2log a 15 – log a 2 2
⇒ log a 16 + log a 15 – log a 4
⇒ log a (16 ✕ 15) – log a 4
⇒ log a (16 ✕ 15/4) = log a 60
Example 2: Solve log b 3 – log b 27
Solution:
log 2 3 – log 2 48
⇒ log 2 (3/48)
⇒ log 2 (1/16)
⇒ log 2 (-16)
⇒ -log 2 2 4
⇒ -4log 2 2 = -4
Example 3: Find x in log b x + log b (x – 3) = log b 10
Solution:
Given log b x + log b (x – 3) = log b 10
⇒ log b (x)(x – 3) = log b 10
⇒ (x)(x – 3) = 10
⇒ x 2 – 3x – 10 = 0
⇒ x 2 – 5x + 2x – 10 = 0
⇒ x(x – 5) + 2(x – 5)
⇒ (x – 5)(x + 2) = 0
⇒ x = 5, -2
Example 4: Find the derivative of log(sin x)
Solution:
Given that y = log(sin x)
dy/dx = (1/sin x) × cos x = cos x/sin x = tan x
We have covered all the concepts of Logarithm to provide you deep understanding of the topic. This easy logarithm guide tutorial is best for beginners as logarithm is a crucial topic in maths.
Practice logarithms with solved examples to increase your understanding on the topic.
Logarithms – FAQs What are Logarithms?
Logarithm is the inverse of exponential which is used to find out to what power a base must be raised to yield a particular value.
What are different types of Logarithms?
There are two types of Logarithms:
Common Logarithm (Base 10) Natural logarithm (Base e)
Who invented Logarithm?
Logarithm was invented by Scottish Mathematician John Napier in 1614.
Can Logarithm be Negative?
No the argument of logarithm can’t be negative, however, log of any number can give a negative value.
What are Logarithms used for?
Logarithm is used to find the power a number must be raised to yield a particular result. It is useful in finding pH level, exponential growth or decay, etc.
What is the value of log a 0?
Logarithm does not take 0 and negative numbers as its input hence loga0 is not defined.
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Last Updated :
16 Jan, 2024
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