RULES OF LOGARITHMS - Rule 1

Let a be a positive number such that a does not equal 1, let n be a real number, and let u and v be positive real numbers.

Logarithmic Rule 1: tex2html_wrap_inline90


Example 1: Suppose that a base is 6 and exponents are 3 and 5. We could solve the exponential problem tex2html_wrap_inline92 by calculating tex2html_wrap_inline94 and tex2html_wrap_inline96 and multiplying the results. tex2html_wrap_inline98 and tex2html_wrap_inline100 and their product is tex2html_wrap_inline102 . You could also solve the problem by first combing the exponents tex2html_wrap_inline104 .
The same is true of logarithms. Suppose you wanted to calculate tex2html_wrap_inline106 . You could calculate the answer by first multiplying 216 by 7776, changing the base of 6 to either 10 or e and calculating the results.

displaymath108

Or you could first combine the logarithms using Rule 1 and then change the bases.

displaymath110

rounded to 8.

Example 2: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline112 .

Solution: Since a base is not indicated, we know that the base is 10. We can calculate the logarithms directly by first multiplying the 30 and the 5. Note that tex2html_wrap_inline112 can be written tex2html_wrap_inline116 . By Rule 1 we can also write tex2html_wrap_inline112 as

displaymath120

To write this problem in turns of exponents, note that the base is 10 and the exponents are 1.4771213 and 0.69897. tex2html_wrap_inline122 , rounded to 30. tex2html_wrap_inline124 , rounded to 5. We could also combine the bases

displaymath126

If you would like to review another example, click on Example.

Work the following problems. If you would like to review the answers and solutions, click on answer.

Problem 1: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline128 .

Answer

Problem 2: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline130 .

Answer

Problem 3: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline132 .

Answer

Problem 4: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline134 .

Answer

Problem 5: Simplify tex2html_wrap_inline136 and write the answer in terms of a base 10. What assumptions must be made about a, b, d, and d before you can work this problem?

Answer

[Back to Rules of Logarithms] [Back to Exponential Functions]

[Algebra] [Trigonometry] [Complex Variables]

S.O.S MATHematics home page

Copyright © 1999-2004 MathMedics, LLC. All rights reserved.
Math Medics, LLC. - P.O. Box 12395 - El Paso TX 79913 - USA