MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

LOGARITHMS
Introduction:
Logarithms are the inverse of exponents. A logarithm (or log) is the mathematical expression
used to answer the question: How many times must one “base” number be multiplied by itself to
get some other particular number? For instance, how many times must a base of 10 be multiplied
by itself to get 1,000?
Definition:
If a is a positive real number, other than 1 and x is a rational number such that ax = N , then we
say that logarithm of N to base a is x or x is the logarithm of N to the base a, written as logaN =
x. Thus , ax = N  log a N  x.

Example: If 25  32 then log 2 32  5 .

5
We read this as “log base 2 of 32 is 5”. 2  32  log 2  32  5
Exponential form Logarithm form
24 = 16 log 2 16   4
32 = 9 log 3  9   2
53 = 125 log 5 125   3

4(–3) = 1  1 
log 4    3
64  64 

Note: (a) The logarithm of a number is unique i.e. No number can have two
different log to a given base.
(b) From the definition of the logarithm of the number to a given base ‘a’.
a log a N  N , a>0, a  1& N  0 is known as the fundamental logarithmic
identity.
(c) The base of log can be any positive number other than 1, but basically
two bases are mostly used. They are 10 and e (= 2.718 approx.)
System of logarithms:
Though we can talk of the log of a number to any positive base not equal to 1, there are to
systems of logarithms, natural logarithms and common logarithms, which are used most often.

(i) Common logarithm: The common logarithm is a logarithm whose base is 10. It is called base-
10 logarithm”. Generally it is written as log10  x   log  x  . When the base of the logarithm is
not given then we take it as base 10. It is also known as “decadic” logarithm or Brigg’s system.
Example: log10  log10
10  1
; log100  log100
10  2

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS
(ii) Natural logarithm(Napier logarithm): The natural logarithm is a logarithm whose base is the
number e, where e is an irrational number lying between 2 and 3 (e =2.71). It is called ”base-e
logarithm”. Generally it is written as
log e  x   In x .Example: ln 2, ln 5, ln 7
Properties of Logarithms
Theorem 1: log a xy  log a x  log a y
The logarithm of a product is the sum of the logarithms of the factors.
Proof: Let log a x  m _____(1)
log a y  n ______(2)
so that a m  x and a n  y
 a m  a n  a m n  xy
From the definition of logarithm, if xy  a m n
then log a xy   m  n  _____(3)
Substituting (1) & (2) in (3) we get
log a xy  log a x  log a y
This result can be extended to more than two factors. For instance,
log a  a1 ,a 2 .....a n   loga a1  loga a2  .....  loga an
Example: log10 105  log10 7  5  3
 log10 7  log10 5  log10 3
x
Theorem 2: log a  log a x  log a y
y
The logarithm of a quotient is the logarithm of the numerator minus
the logarithm of the denominator.
Proof: Let log a x  m _____ (1) and log a y  n _____ (2)

x am
a m n
 x and a  y    a mn (Law of Indices)
y an

x m n
From the definition of logarithm, if y  a

x
then log a y   m  n  _____(3)

x
Substituting (1) & (2) in (3) we get  log a y  log a x  log a y

42
Example: log10 21  log10  log10 42  log10 2
2
Theorem 3: log a x p  p log a x

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MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

The logarithm of any number raised to a power, say (p), is equal to ‘p’
times the logarithm of the number.
Proof: Let log a x  m so that a m  x
p
x p   a m   a mp (By law of Indices)  log a x p  mp  p log a x

Example: log10 8  log10 23  3log10 2

n
Note: log x a m  m n log x a
log b x
Theorem 4: (Change of base): log a x  log a
b

This result enables us to change the base of the logarithm

Proof: Let log a x= p so that x  a p
p
 log b x  log b a  p log b a (by previous theorem 3)
log b x log b x
p   log a x 
log b a log b a

log10 5
Example: log 2 5  log 2
10

As a corollary to theorem 4, we have

log a a
log b a 
log a b i.e.,the base is changed from b to a.

1

log a b since log a a = 1(Refer to concept viii under definition)
 log b a  log a b  1
1
Note: log 2 5  log 2
5

Theorem 5: a log a N  N ......(1)

Proof: (1) follows from the definition of logarithm as shown below:
If N =ax ...................(1)
then logaN = x ...........(2)
Substitute the value of x = logaN from (2) in (1) we get N  a log a N
Example: Find the value of 25 log5 3
log 5 3
Sol. 25 5   5 
log 3 2 3 2 log 9
 52log5  5log5 3  5 5  9
m
Theorem 6: log bn a m  log b a
n
Proof: log bn a m  mlog bn a _____Using theorem 3

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

 1 
 m n  _____ using theorem 4
 log a b 

 1 
 m  _____using theorem 3
 n log a b 
m 1 m
  logb a ____using corollary to theorem 4.
n log a b n
m a
Therefore it follows log bm a  log b
Example:
3 2
(i) log b3 a  log b a (ii) log 4 9  log 22 3  log 2 3
3
(iii) log 8 27  log 23 3  log 2 3
Laws of logarithms:
Property Name Property
Log of 1 log a 1  0 . Example: log 3 1  0,log 4 1  0
Log of the same number
log a a  1 . Example: log2  2  1,log5  5  1
as the same base
Log of 0 log a 0   .

Log of  log a   

loga  mn  loga m  loga n .

Product Rule
Example: log 2  3  log 2  5   log 2 15 
m
log a    log a m  log a n
n
Quotient Rule
Example: log  5   log  6   log  5 
3 3 3  
6
log a m n  n log a m
Power Rule
 
Example: log 3 59  9 log 3  5 
log c a
Change of Base Rule log b a  (or) log b a.log c b  log c a
log c b
Equality Rule log b a  log b c  a  c
x
Number Raised to Log a log a  x . Example: log 7  75   5

m 1
Other Rules log bn a m  log b a  log b a  log b or  log 1 a
n a b

Other Rules a logn b  blogn a

Logarithmic equations and inequations

An equation containing variables in the exponents is knowns as an exponential equation. In

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MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

contrast, an equation that involves the logarithm of an expression containing a variable is re-
ferred to as a logarithmic equation.
The purpose of solving a logarithmic equation is to find the value of the unknown variable.
How to solve equations with logarithms on one side?
Equations with logarithms on one side take logbM = n  M = bn.
To solve this type of equations, here are the steps:
(1) Simplify the logarithmic equations by applying the appropriate laws of logarithms.
(2) Rewrite the logarithmic equation in exponential form.
(3) Now simplify the exponent and solve for the variable.
(4) Verify your answer by substituting it back in the logarithmic equation. You should note that the
acceptable answer of a logarithmic equation only produces a positive argument.
Example: Solve log2 (5x + 7) = 5
Solution: Rewrite the equation to exponential form
logs2 (5x + 7) = 5  25 = 5x + 7  32 = 5x + 7  5x = 32 – 7  5x = 25
 x = 5
How to solve equations with logarithms on both sides of the equation?
The equations with logarithms on both sides of the equal to sign take
loga M = loga N, which is the same as M = N.
The procedure of solving equations with logarithms on both sides of the equal sign.
If the logarithms have a common base, simplify the problem and then rewrite it without loga-
rithms.
Simplify by collecting like terms and solve for the variable in the equation.
Check your answer by plugging it back in the original equation. Remember that, an acceptable
answer will produce a positive argument.
Example 1: Solve log 2  3x  2   log1/2 x.

Solution: log 2  3x  2   log1/2 x   log 2 x  log 2 x 1

or 3x  2  x 1 or 3x 2  2x  1
 x  1 or x  1/3
But log 2  3x  2 and log1/2 x are meaningful if x > 2/3. Hence, x = 1.
Example 2: Solve log 4 8  log 4  x  3   log 4  x  1  2 .
Solution: log 4 8  log 4  x  3   log 4  x  1  2

8  x  3 8  x  3
 log 4 2  42  x  3  2x  2  x  5
x 1 x 1
Also for x = 5 all terms of the equation are defined.

LOGARITHEMIC INEQUALITIES
1. If b > 1, y > 1 then log by  0

2. If 0 < b < 1, y > 1 then log by  0

3. If b > 1, 0 < y < 1 then log by  0 .

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

4. If y > b > 1 then log by  1

5. If b > y > 1 then 0  log by  1

6. If 0 < b < y < 1 then 0  log by  1

7. If 0 < y < b < 1 then log by  1

b  m x , if m  1
b
8. If log  x then  x
m
b  m , if 0  m  1

b  m x , if m  1
b
9. log  x then  x
m
b  m , if 0  m  1
 x  y  0,if b  1
10. (i) log b x  log b y  
0  x  y,if 0  b  1

 0  x  y, if b  1
(ii) log b x  log b y  
 x  y  0, if 0  b  1
Working rule for solving an inequation: Solving an inequation involving logarithm.
Step1: Isolate the logarithm part in the given equation.
Step 2: If convenient, express both the sides as logs with the same base and equate the argu-
ments of the logs.
Step 3: Otherwise, rewrite the log equation as an exponential equation.
Example 1: Solve log 2  x  1  4.
Solution: log 2  x  1  4 or x  1  24 or x  17
Example 2: 1  log 2  x  2   2.
Solution: 1  log 2  x  2   2  21  x  2  22  4  x  6
Example 3: Solve log 2 x  1  1 .
Solution: log 2 x  1  1  0  x  1  21  2  x  1  2 and x  1  0

 1  x  3 and x  1  x   1,3   1

Example 4: log 0.2 x  3  0 .
Solution: log 0.2 x  3  0
0
 0  x  3   0.2  0  x 3 1

 1  x  3  1 and x  3  0  2  x  4 and x  3  x  2,4  3

CHARACTERISTIC AND MANTISSA
Logarithms consist of two parts
1) Characteristic...the integral part of the logarithm.
2) Mantissa....fractional or decimal part.

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MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

log10 N  integer + fraction  ve 

 
Characteristic Mantissa
For example: log10 4567 = 3.6597
Here 3 is called characteristic and .6597 is called mantissa.
How to find characteristic and Mantissa
Consider the standard from of N as N  q  10 p , where 1  q  10 .
Taking logarithms to the base 10 and using the laws of logarithms
log N  log q  log10 p
 log q  p log10
 p  log q
Here p an integer and as 1  q  10 , 0  log q  1 . Here p is called the “Characteristic of log
N” and that log q is called the “mantissa of logN”.
Characteristic:
(i) To find the characteristic of a number x greater than one (x > 1)
Characteristic is one less than the number of digits to the left of the decimal point in the given
number.
(ii) To find the characteristic of a number x less than one (x < 1)
Characteristic is one more than the number of zeroes between the decimal and the first significant
digit of the number, and is negative.
Example: a) If x > 1
Number Characteristic
3.561 0
35.61 1
356.1 2
3561 3
35610 4
b) 0<x<1
Number Characteristic
0.3561 1
0.03561 2
0.003561 3
0.0003561 4
0.00003561 5
Mantissa
To find the mantissa of a number we have to see logarithmic tables.
Note: 1) The mantissa is same for the logarithms of all numbers having the same
significant digits
2) The logarithm of a one-digit number, say 5, is to be seen in the table, against
50.
3) The mantissa is always taken positive.

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

For Example: If the mantissa of 2623 is 0.4188

Then log2623 = 3.4188
log262.3 = 2.4188
log26.23 = 1.4188
log2.623 = 0.4188
log0.2623 = 1 .4188
log 0.02623= 2 .4188
Example 1: Find the characteristic and Mantissa of 35.4 if log 35.4 = 1.5490.
Solution: 35.4 = 3 .5 × 101
Also log 35.5 = 1.5490.
 Characteristic of 35.4 is 1 and Mantissa is 0.5490.
Example 2: Find the Characteristic of (i) 2049.5 (ii) 0.000073 (iii)2.352 (iv)257325000
Solution: (i) 2049.5 = 2.0495 × 103
So, Characteristic is 3.
(ii) 0.000073 = 7.3 × 10–5
So, Characteristic is –5
(iii) 2.352 = 2.352 × 100
So, Characteristic is 0.
(iv) 257325000 = 2.57325 × 108
So, Characteristic is 8
SOLVED PROBLEMS
Example 1: a, b, c are positive real numbers, then a log b log c  blog c log a  c log a log b

Solution: We have, log a log b  log c .blog c  log a .c log a log b 

  log b  log c  log a   log c  log a  log b   log a  log b  log c  0

a log b log c .blog c log a .c log a log b  1
Example 2: If a, b, c are positive real numbers, then the value of
a  b c
 ab log b    bc log  c    ca log  a  is

a b c

 log   log   log   
Solution: We have, log  ab   b   bc   c   ca   a  
 

a  b c
Consider log   log  ab   log   log  bc   log   log  ca 
b
  c
  a 
  log a  log b  log a  log b    log b  log c  log b  log c 
  log c  log a  log c  log a  =0
a  b c
log  
  ab  b  bc log  c   ca log a   1
Example 3: If x  log 2a a, y  log 3a 2a and z = log 4a 3a, then xyz +1 =
Solution: We have,
xyz  1  log 2a a  log 3a 2a  log 4a 3a  1
 xyz  1  log 4a a  1

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MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

2
 xyz  1 ;log 4a a  log 4a 4a  log 4a  2a 
2
 xyz  1  log 4a  2a   2log 4a 2a  2log 3a 2a  log 4a 3a
 xyz  1  2yz
Example 4: If a, b, c are positive real number then
1 1 1
  
log a bc  1 log b ca  1 log c ab  1

1 1 1
Solution: We have, log bc  1  log ca  1  log ab  1
a b c

1 1 1
  
log a bc  log a a log b ca  log b b log c ab  log c c

1 1 1
  
log a abc log b abc log c abc  log abc a  log abc b  log abc c  log abc abc  1
Example 5: If a = log2, b = log 3, c= log 7 and 6x  7x 4 , then x =
Solution: We have 6x  7x 4
 x log 6   x  4 log 7

4log 7 4 log 7 4c
x  
log 6  log 7 log 2  log 3  log 7 a  b  c

1 1
Examples 6: If a 2  b2  c2  0 , then  
log c a b log c a  b

1 1
Solution: We have, log b  log b
c a c a

 log b  c  a   log b  c  a 

 log b  c2  a 2   log b b2  c2  a 2  b2 

 2 log b b  2

1  2 3  99 
Example 7: log    log    log    ....  log    ___ .
 2 3 4  100 

1  2  99 
Solution: log    log    ...  log  
 2 3  100 
= log 1 – log 2 + log 2 – log 3 + ....+ log 99 – log 100
= log 1 – log 100 = 0 – log 102 = –2 log 10 = –2
Example 8: If 3log 3 5  5 log x 3  8 , then find the value of x.
Solution: 3log 3 5  5log x 3  8  5  5 log x 3  8  5log x 3  3
3log x 5  3  log x 5  1  x  5

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

Example 9: If log 2= 0.301, then find the number of digits in 21024.

Solution: Let x = 21024  log x  log 21024 = 1024 log 2 =1024 (0.301)
 log x  308.22  The characteristic is 308.
 The number of digits in 21024 is 309.
Example 10: log 2 1.log 3 2.log 4 3.log 5 4.log 6 5.... log 200 199 
Solution: As log 2 1  0
log 2 1.log 3 2.log 4 3...log199 200  0

 b2   a2   c2 
Example 11: Prove that log x    log x    log x  0
 ac   bc   ab 
Solution: As per theorem 1
log a x  log a y  log a z  log a xyz

 b2 a 2 c 2 
Therefore LHS of the given problem  log x   = log1= 0
 ac bc ab 
1 1 2
Example 12: If b2  ac show that  
log a x log c x log b x

1 1  1 
Solution: LHS    log x a  log x c  log b a  
log a x log c x  log a b 

 log x ac  log x b2 (Since b2 = ac given)

2
 2log xq b 
log b x
2 4
Example 13: Write log a b  log a 2 b in terms of log a b

4
Solution:
4
log a b2  2log a b and log a 2 b  log a b  2log a b  log a n bn  log a b 
2
2 4
Adding log a b  log a 2 b  4 log a b
Example 14: If log 30 3  a and log 30 5 = b find log 30 8
Solution: Now log 30 8  log 30 23  3 log 30 2
30
 3log 30  3  log 30 30  log 30 15 
15
 3 log 30 30  log 30  3  5 

 3  log 30 30  log 30 3  log 30 5   3 1  a  b 

1 1
Example 15: Prove that log10 3 lies between and .
3 2
Solution: Now 9 < 10 < 27
Taking logarithms with base 10

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MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

log10 9  log10 10  log10 27

 log10 32  1  log10 33  2 log10 3  1  3 log10 3
1
 2log10 3  1  log10 3 
2
1 1 1
and 1 < 3 log10 3   log10 3   log10 3 
3 3 2
Hence from (1) and (2) we can say that log 3 108  log 375 .
Examples 17: Solve the following equations
2
(i) log117 1  3x   log117 x  3  
(ii) log 2  x  3   log 2  6  x   3
Solution: (i) We have the same base on both sides. So, 1  3x  x 2  3
 x 2  3x  4  0
  x  4  x  1  0
 x  4,1

 x  3
(ii) log 2  x  3   log 2  6  x   3  log2  3
6x 
x 3
  23  8  x  3  8  6  x  x 5
6x
Solve : log 2  4  3  6   log 2  9  6   1.
x x
Example 18:

4  3x  6
Solution: log 2  4  3x  6   log 2  9x  6   1 or log 2 1
9x  6
4  3x  6
or  2 or 4y – 6 = 2y 2  12 or y 2  2y  3  0
9x  6
or y = –1, 3 or 3x =3 or x =1

Example 20: 4log 9 x  6x log 9 2  2log 3 27  0.

2
Solution:
log x
Given equation is 2 9    
 6 2log 9 x  27log3 2  0

Let 2log 9 x  y , we get y 2  6y  8  0  y = 4 or 2

If 2log9 x  22  log 9 x  2  x= 81
If 2log9 x  21  log 9 x  1  x  9

Example 21:
2

Solve for x : log x 3x  10x  3 
Solution:
2
The given equation is log x 3x  10x  3  

11
 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

  3x 2  10x   x 3 , x  0, x  1

 x 3  3x 2  10x  0  x  x  3x  10   x  x  5)(x  2
2

 x  0, 2,5  x  5
Hence, the solution of x is 5.
Example 22: 
2
Solve for x : log x 1 x  3x  5  2 . 
Solution:
2

The given equation is log x 1 x  3x  5  2 
2
  x 2  3x  5    x  1 , x  1  0, x  0
2
  x 2  3x  5    x  1   x 2  3x  5   x 2  2x  1
 5x  4  x  4 /5 . Thus, the solution of x is 4/5

Example 23: 
Solve for x : log x2 6x 6 log 2x2 2x 3 x  2x  2
  0
Solution: Give equation is


log x2 6x 6 log 2x 2 2x 3  x 2  2x   0 
 x 2  2x  2x 2  2x  3  x 2  4x  3  0
  x  1  x  3   0  x  1, 3
Also, x 2  6x  6  0, x 2  6x  6  1

  
 x  , 3  3  3  3,  , x  1, 5 
and,2x 2  2x  3  0 ,  x  R
So, the solution is x   .
x : log  x 2  5  log  4 
5.
Example 24: Solve for    
 3   x 3 

log  x 2  5  log  4 
5
Solution: Given equation is    
 3   x 3 

 x  2  4 
   , x  2, x  2  3
 3   x  3
  x  2 x  3   12, x  2, x  1
 x 2  5x  6  0, x  2, x  1
  x  6  x  1  0, x  2, x  1
 x  6,1, x  2, x  1 Hence, the solution is x  

Example 25: 
3
 2
Solve for x : log x2 1 x  6  log x2 1 4x  x  
Solution: Solution Given equation is

12
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

log x2 1  x 3  6   log x 2 1  4x 2  x 

 x 3  6  4x 2  x, x 3  6  0, x 2  1  0, x 2  1
 x 3  4x 2  x  6  0, x 3  6, x 2  1, x   2
Now , x 3  4x 2  x  6  0
 x 3  x 2  5x 2  5x  6x  6  0
 x 2  x  1  5x  x  1  6  x  1  0

  x  1  x 2  5x  6   0

  x  1 x  2)(x  3   0  x  1,2, 3

2
Also, x 3  6  x   3 6 and x  1  x   , 1  1,  

Hence, the solution set is x  2,3 .

PRACTICE PAPER - 1
1. What is the value of log 9 27  log 8 32 ?

7 19
1) 2) 3)4 4) 7
2 6
2. Which of the following statements is not correct?
1) log10 10  1 2) log  2  3   log  2  3 

3) log10 1  0 4) log 1  2  3   log1  log 2  log 3

x
 21 
3.    2 then x=?
 10 
log 2 log 2 log 3 log 2
1) 2) 3) 4)
log 3  log 7  1 log 3  log 7  1 log 2  log 7  1 log 3  log 7  1
4. log 360 is equal to:
1) 2 log 2  3 log 3 2) 3 log 2  2 log 3
3) 3 log 2  2 log 3  log 5 4) 3 log 2  2 log 3  log 5
5. If log10 a  b , find the value of 103b in terms of a.
1) a 3 2) 3a 3) a  1000 4) a  100
6. The number log 2 7
1) A prime number 2)A rational number
3)An Irrational number 4) An integer

13
 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

log 8
7. is equal to
log 8
1 1 1 1
1) 2) 3) 4)
6 4 2 8
a b
8. If log  log  log  a  b  , then:
b a
1) a  b  1 2) a  b  1 3) a  b 4) a 2  b2  1
9. If log 2  0.3010 and log 3  0.4771 , the value of log 5 512 is
1) 2.870 2) 2.967 3) 3.876 4) 3.912
10. If log10 125  log10 8  x then x is equal to

1
1) 2) 0.064 3) -3 4) 3
3
1
11. If log10000 x   , then the value of x is =?
4
1 1 1 1
1) 2) 3) 4)
10 100 1000 10000
 1 
12. Determine the value of log 3 2   is =
 18 
1) 2 2) -2 3) 2 4) 3
13. If log10 5  x , then log 5 1250 is

1 1 1 1
1) 2  2) 3  3) 3  4) 2 
x x x x
14. If x  log 5 1000  and y  log 7  2058  then
1) x  y 2)None of these 3) x  y 4) x  y
2
 27  32
15. If log 3  0.4771 , log  0.81  log    log 9 =
 10 
1) 2.689 2) -0.0552 3) 2.2402 4) 2.702
16. Find x if log x  log1.5  log12
1) 12 2) 8 3) 18 4) 15
17. The value of log10 0.0001
1) 2 2) 10 3) –4 4) 8
log  324 
18. If  log  x  then x =
log 18 
1) 10 2)100 3)0 4)None of these

14
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

6 log10 1000
19. The value of
3 log10 100 is equal to-
1) 0 2) 1 3) 2 4) 3
xy  2 4  xy
20. The value of log 22  log 22 is equal to
1) 6 2) 4 3) 3 4) 5
2 2 2
21. The value of log xxyzyz  log xy z xyz
xyz  log xyz

1) 4 2) 1 3) 2 4) not
22. The value of log 80 20 20 10
2  log 2  log 2  log 2 is equal to

1) 1 2) 3 3) 2 4) not
2
23. The value of  log10  5 log10 100   
1)1 2) 2 3) 10 4) 25

24. The number of digits ‘N’ where N  210  7 2  35 . it is given that

log10 2  0.301,log10 3  0.477 and log10 7  0.845 .
1) 10 2) 9 3) 7 4) 8
 1 1 1 
25.     =
 log xy  xyz  log zx  xyz  log yz  xyz  
1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4
26. If 2 log10  x  1  log10  7x  1 , then the non zero value of the ‘x’ is
1)4 2) 5 3) 6 4) 7
27. The value of x in the exponential equation 9  e2x  4  10 is
1) 2 2) 3 3) 4 4) 5
28. If log10 5  log10  5x  1  log10  x  5   1 , then x =
1) 1 2) 3 3) 5 4) 10
29. If log 2  log 3  log 2 x    1 , then x =
1) 0 2) 12 3) 128 4) 512
30. If log 2  0.3010 , find the number of digits in the expansion of 213 .
1) 3 2) 4 3) 5 4) 6
31. If log 4 8  log 4  x  3   log 4  x  1  2 , then x =
1) 1 2) 3 3) 5 4) 7
MAQ
1 xy
32. If  log x  log y   log   then
2  2 
y
1) x  1, y  1 2) x  3) x  y 4) x  y
2

15
 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

33. if a  log 8 225 and b  log 2 15 , then

2 3b 3a 3a
1) a  b 2) a  3) b  4) b 
3 2 2 2
34. If x 2  y 2  6xy . then 2 log  x  y  is
1) log x  log y  4 log 2 2) 2 log 2  log x  log y

3) log 4  log  xy  4) log 4  log x  log y

4
35. log x2 is equal to
x x

1) x 2 2) not 3) x d) x 3

36. The value of log 7 log 7 7 7 7 =

7
1) 3 log 2 7 2)1  3 log 2 7 3)1  3 log 7 2 d)
8
log  3  x 
37.
x

If log 2 9  2  10  then x =
1) 0 2) 3 3) Both (1) and (2) 4) 0 and 6
38. If A  log 2 log 2 log 4 256  2log 2
2 , then A is qual to
1) 2 2) 3 3) 5 4) 7
39. x
If 3  3 x 1
 6 then x is equal to
x

1) 2 2) None of these 3)9 4) 4

40. If x,y,z are three consecutive positive integers, then log 1  xz  is

y
1) log y 2) log 3) log  2y  4) 2 log  y 
2

PRACTICE PAPER - 2
SECTION - 1
1. What is the value of the following expression?
 9   15   35 
log    log    log  
 14   16   24 
1)0 2)1 3) 2 4) 3

2. If log x 4  1 4 , then x is equal to:

1) 16 2) 64 3) 128 4) 256
3. The value of log 2 16 is :

1
1) 2) 4 3) 8 4) 16
8

16
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

4. log 9 27  log 8 32 =
7 19
1) 2) 3) 4 4)7
2 6
5. 102  100 can be written in the form of logarithm as
1) log100  2 2) log 2  100 3) log 2100 4) log 2 / log100
6. log 4 18 is
1) None of these 3) An irrational number c) A
rational number d) A prime number
7. What is the value of log 2
4
1) 2 2) 4 3) 6 4) 8
8. If log 8 p  25 and log 2 q  5, then
1) p  q15 2) p2  q 3 3) p  q 5 4) p3  q
9. If log 27  1.431 , then the value of log 9 is :
1)0.934 2) 0.945 3) 0.954 4) 0.958

10. log 75 /16  2 log 5 / 9  log 32 / 243

1) log 2 2) log 3 3) log 5 4) log 6
11. If log10 2  0.3010 , what is the value of log10 1600 ?
1) None of these 2) 5.204 3) 1.204 4) 3.204
 1 
12. If log10 7  a then log10   is equal to
 70 
1 a 1
1)  1  a  2) 1  a  3) 4)
10 10a
13. If log10 2  0.3010 , the value of log10 80 is:
1)1.6020 2)1.9030 3)3.9030 4) None of these
14. x y
If a  b then :
a x log a x log a y
1) log  2)  3)  4) None of these
b y log b y log b x
15. Given that log 2  0.3010 numbers of digits in the number 20002000 is
1) 6603 2) 5503 3) 4403 4) 3303
MATRIX MATCH TYPE
16. Column-I Column-II
a) Characteristic of log10 4567 = 3.6597 is p) 2
b) Characteristic of 0.03561 is q) 1
c) Characteristic of log188 is r) 3
d) Characteristic of log28 is s) 2
SECTION - II
17. The logarithm of 0.1024 to the base 0.4 is:

17
 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS
1)4 2)3 3) 5 4) None
18. The value of log 343 7 is:

1 1
1)-3 2)3 3) 4) 
3 3
19. If  log 5 5   log 4 9  log 3 2 to
1) 4 2) 3 3) 2 4) 1
n n 1 1 2n
20. The value of log m  log m  log m is
1) 2 log m 2) n log m 3) log m 4) 3 log m

21. log yz zx xy
xy  log yz  log zx is equal to

1) 1 2) 2 3) None of these 4) 0
22. log 32 log 23 is equal to
2 3
1) 5 2) 4 3) 6 4) 7
23. log 3 9 81 
2 1 2 4
1) 2) 3) 4)
3 3 9 9
log  324 
24. Calculate the value of x from  log  x 
log 18 
1) 10 2) 100 3) 0 4) None of these
25. The logarithm of 784 to the base 2 7 is :
1) 4 2) 2 3) 3 7 4) 2 7
26. if log10 2  a and log10 3  b , then log 5 12  ?

ab 2a  b a  2b 2a  b
1) 2) 3) 4)
1 a 1 a 1 a 1 a
27. If log 5  0.6990 and log 3  0.4771 then log 45 is :
1) 1.8751 2) 1.9085 3) 2.1303 4) 1.6532
28. If loga  ab  x then log b  ab  is :

1 x x x
1) 2) 3) 4)
x x 1 1 x x 1
29. Column-I Column-II
a) log e  mn   p) n log e m

m
b) log e    q) log e m  log e n
n
c) log e mn  r) 1
d) lo g e a  s) log e m  log e n

18
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

SECTION - III
 1 1 1 
30. The value of     is .
 log 9 60 log16 60 log 25 60 
1) 0 2) 1 c) 2 4) 3
x
31. If  0.2   2 and log10 2  0.3010 , the what is the value of x to the nearest ten?
1)-10.0 2)-5.0 c) -4.0 4) -2.0
1 2
32. If log 8 m  log 8  then m is equal to:
6 3
1)24 2) 18 3) 12 4) 4
33. If x  log c  ab  , y  log a  bc  , z  log b  ca  then which of the following is correct?
1) xyz  1 2) x  y  z  1
1 1 1 2 2 2
3) 1  x   1  y   1  z  1 4) 1  x   1  y   1  z  1

 a2   b2   c2 
34. log    log    log   is equal to
 bc   ac   ab 
1) 0 2) 1 3) 2 4) abc
1 1 1
35.  
log a b log b c log c a is equal to
1) a  b  c 2) abc 3) 0 4) 1
36. If log x  5 log 3  2 , then x equals
1) 0.8 2) 0.81 3) 1.25 4) 2.43
16 25 81
37. 7 log  5 log  3 log  log x, x  ?
15 24 80
1) 2 2) 3 3)0 4) None of theses
38. log  x 2  6x  6   0
1) 5 2) 1
3) Both (1) and (2) 4) 3 and 2
10
39. If log 8
x , find the value of x.
3
1) 37 2) 25 3) None of these 4) 32
40. log 5 3log 27 25
1) 1/ 3 2) 1 3) 2 / 3 4) 3 / 2
41. If log k x.log 5 k  log x 5,k  1,k  0 , then x is equal to
1) k 2) 1/5 3) 5 4) None of these
SECTION - IV

19
 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

42. If lo g 1 0 x  y , then log1000 x 2 is equal to

1) y  2 2) 2y 3) 3y/2 4) 2y/3
43. If log 30 3  x and log 30 5  y then log 30 8 is

1) 3  x  y  2) 3 1  x  y 

3) 3 1  x  y  4) 3 1  x  y 

44. If log10 2  0.30103,log10 3  0.47712 , the number of digits in 312  28 is

1) 7 2) 9 3)10 4) 8
45. 4

If log 4 x  1  log 4  x  1  1 then x is equal to ?
1) 1 2) 2 3) 4 4) 5
46. If log  x  4   log  x  4   2log 4 then x is equal to?

1) 2 2) 4 3) 4 2 4) 32

1 1 1
47. The value of  
log 3 60 log 4 60 log 5 60 is :
1)0 2) 1 3)5 4)60
1 1 1
48.  
 log a bc   1  log b ca   1  log c ab   1 is equal to :
3
1)1 2) 3)2 4)3
2
49. If log 2  log 3  log 2 x    1, x is equal to
1)None of these 2)512 3)256 4)1024

OLYMPIAD QUESTIONS
If log 2,log  2  1 and log  2  3  are in A.P. then the value of ‘x’ is
x x
1.

5 3
1) 2) log 2 5 3) log 3 2 4)
2 2
  x  2007
2. Number of integers ‘x’ such that the symbol log 7002 x  is well-defined are:

3.  
Suppose that log 2 log 3  log 5  log 67 N    11. How many different prime numbers
are factors of N.
1) 1 2) 2 3) 2009 4) 2010
2
4. If x log 3 4  27 , then find the value of x  log 3 4 .
1) 81 2) 64 3) 272 4) 3
5. The positive number x which satisfy the equation
log 3 x log 4 x  log 5 x  1 = log 5 x  log 4 x  log 3 x  is
1) 12 2) 10 3) 60 4) log6012

20
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

6. If x = 2000 then find the value of

 lo g    lo g  lo g    lo g   lo g   lo g   lo g   ....

0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3
54 54 54 54
 lo g 
2
x x
2
x x
2
x x
2
x x

1) 1/2 2) log 2 2000 3) log 3 2000 4) 1/3

a
7. Suppose that log a 6  x and log a 3  y . Which of the following are equal to log a   ?
2  
1
1) log 2 a,a  0 2) 1 – x + y 3) 1 – x – y 4) log a 2  1
2
x
8. If x > y > 0 and 2log  x  y   log x  log y , then y  ____

1 1
1) 3  5
2
3 5 2)  
3) 3  5 4)
2
3 5  
9. If log 5 x  a and log11 x  b , then which of the following is log 55 x ?
1 1 1
3)  a  b  4) ab  a  b 
1 1 1 1
1) ab 2)
ab
LOGARITHMS
PRACTICE PAPER - 1
1) 2 2) 2 3) 1 4) 4, 5) 1 6) 3 7) 3 8) 1
9) 3 10) 4 11) 1 12) 2 13) 2 14) 1 15) 2 16) 3
17) 3 18) 2 19) 4 20) 1 21) 1 22) 2 23) 1 24) 4
25) 2 26) 2 27) 1 28) 2 29) 4 30) 2 31) 3
32) 1,4, 33) 1,3 34) 2,3,4 35) 1 36) 3 37) 1 38) 2
39)1 40) 4
PRACTICE PAPER - 2
1) 1 2) 4 3) 2 4) 2 5) 1 6) 2 7) 2 8) 1
9) 3 10) 1 11) 2 12) 1 13) 2 14) 3 15) 1
16) a-r,b-p,c-s,d-q
17) 4 18) 3 19) 4 20) 4 21) 1 22) 1 23) 4 24) 2
25) 1 26) 4 27) 4 28) 4 29) a-q, b-s, c-p, d- r
30) 3 31) 3 32) 1 33) 3 34) 1 35) 4 36) 4 37) 1
38) 3 39) 3 40) 3 41) 2, 3
42) 4 43) 2 44) 2 45) 4 46) 3 47) 2 48) 1 49) 2

SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE PAPER - 1

30. log10 213  13 log 2
 13  0.3010  3.9130
Since characteristic is 3, the number of digits in the expansion of 213 is 4.

M
31. As we know log a  MN   log a M  log a N,log a  
N
 log a M  log a N and y  log a x  a y  x. By using these formulae we cna solve the
problem above.

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 MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS

log 4 8  log 4  x  3   log 4  x  1  2

8  x  3 8  x  3
 log 4 2  42  x  3  2x  2  x  5
x 1 x 1
Also for x = 5 all terms of the equation are defined.
38. A  log 2 log 2 log 4 256  2log 2
2

 1 
 log 2 log 2 4  2  
 1/ 2 
 log 2 log 2 22  4  log 2 2  4 = 1 + 4 = 5
PRACTICE PAPER - 2
15. Let x  2000.log10  2000   2000  log10 2  3 

 2000  3.3010   6602

Number of digits =6603
41. log k x.log 5 k  log x 5
log x log k
or log k log 5  log x 5

log x
or log 5  log x 5

1
or log 5 x  log x or  log 5 x   1
2

1
or log 5 x  1  x  5 1  x  ,5
5

OLYMPIAD WINDOW SOLUTIONS

1. log 2,log  2x  1 and log  2x  3  are in A.P..
2
 2 log  2x  1  log 2  log  2x  3    2x  1  2  2x  3 
2
  a  1  2  a  3  , where a = 2x
 a 2  1  2a  2a  6  0  a 2  4a  5  0
  a  5  a  1  0  a  5  or  a  1
 2x  5  x  log 52 and 2x  1 has no solution, since 2x  0 for all x
2. x –2007 > 0 & 7002 – x > 0 & 7002 – x  1
x > 2007 & x < 7002 & x  7001
2007 < x < 7001, x  z
 x = 2008, 2009, ..., 7000
Number of integers are 4993.

22
MATHEMATICS LOGARITHMS
11
32
3. N  665
Since 67 is a prime, the number 67 is the only prime factor.
2
4. x  3   x  3  3   27 3   43  64
log 4 log 4 log 4 log 4

5. The given equation can be rewritten as

log 5x  1 log 4x  log 3x 1 1 1
 1  
log 5x log 3x log 4x log 5x log 3x log 4x

 1  log 5x  log 3x  log 4x  1  log x345 

 1  log 60
x  x  60

2 2 3
6. log 5x   4 log 5x    log 2x   4 log 5x    log 2x   43 log 5x   ...

 2 3
  log 5x  1  4 log 2x   4 log 2x    4 log 2x   ... 
 1  log 5x log 5x
  log 5x   2 
 16
  x 
 log 5 x 
1  4 log x  1  log x    
 16 
log x16 

1
 log 5 2000   log125
5
 log 553 
 
 16 
3

a
7. log n 6  x and log a 3  y log a    log a a  log a 2
b

6
 1  log a  
3
 1  log a 6  log a 3  1  x  y
2
8. 2log  x  y   log x  log y, x  y  0   x  y   xy
2
x x
 x  3xy  y  0     3    1  0
2 2

y y

x 3 94 3 5 x x 3 5
   since x  y  0 , y  1 , so, 
y 2 2 y 2

1
9. log x  1  1  x  1  10 1 
10

23