Difference between revisions of "Logarithm"
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
− | '''Logarithms''' and [[exponents]] are very closely related. In fact, they are [[inverse functions]]. Basically, this means that logarithms can be used to reverse the result of exponentiation and vice versa just as addition can be used to reverse the result of subtraction. Thus, if we have <math> a^x = b </math>, then taking the logarithm with base <math> a</math> on both sides will give us <math>\displaystyle x=\log_a{b}</math>. | + | '''Logarithms''' and [[exponents]] are very closely related. In fact, they are [[inverse function | inverse functions]]. Basically, this means that logarithms can be used to reverse the result of exponentiation and vice versa just as addition can be used to reverse the result of subtraction. Thus, if we have <math> a^x = b </math>, then taking the logarithm with base <math> a</math> on both sides will give us <math>\displaystyle x=\log_a{b}</math>. |
We would read this as "the logarithm of b, base a, is x". For example, we know that <math>3^3=27</math>. To express this in Logarithmic notation, we would write it as <math>\log_3 27=3</math>. | We would read this as "the logarithm of b, base a, is x". For example, we know that <math>3^3=27</math>. To express this in Logarithmic notation, we would write it as <math>\log_3 27=3</math>. | ||
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*<math>\displaystyle \log_{a^n} b^n=\log_a b</math> | *<math>\displaystyle \log_{a^n} b^n=\log_a b</math> | ||
− | Try proving all of these as | + | Try proving all of these as exercises. |
== Problems == | == Problems == |
Revision as of 11:34, 22 June 2006
Introduction
Logarithms and exponents are very closely related. In fact, they are inverse functions. Basically, this means that logarithms can be used to reverse the result of exponentiation and vice versa just as addition can be used to reverse the result of subtraction. Thus, if we have , then taking the logarithm with base
on both sides will give us
.
We would read this as "the logarithm of b, base a, is x". For example, we know that . To express this in Logarithmic notation, we would write it as
.
When a logarithm has no base, it is assumed to be base 10. Thus, means
.
Logarithmic Properties
We can use the properties of exponents to build a set of properties for logarithms.
We know that . We let
and
. This also makes
. From
we have
and from
we have
. So
. But we also have from
that
Thus, we have found two expressions for
establishing the identity:
![$\log_a{b} + \log_a{c} = \log_a{bc}.$](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/e/b/3/eb36932b21a6a980e7139766aff531b438dad9f1.png)
Using the laws of exponents, we can derive and prove the following identities:
Try proving all of these as exercises.
Problems
- Evaluate
.
- Evaluate
.
- Simplify
where
.