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Descriptions of Logarithm Rules

Rule 1: Product Rule

The logarithm of the product is the sum of the logarithms of the factors.

Rule 2: Quotient Rule

The logarithm of the ratio of two quantities is the logarithm of the numerator minus the logarithm of the
denominator.

Rule 3: Power Rule

The logarithm of an exponential number is the exponent times the logarithm of the base.

Rule 4: Zero Rule

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The logarithm of 11 to any base is always equal to zero. As long as bb is positive but b≠1b=1.

Rule 5: Identity Rule

The logarithm of the argument (inside the parenthesis) wherein the argument equals the base is equal
to 11. For for b>0b>0.

Rule 6: Inverse Property of Logarithm

The logarithm of an exponential number where its base is the same as the base of the log is equal to the
exponent.

Rule 7: Inverse Property of Exponent

Raising the logarithm of a number to its base is equal to the number.

Rule 8: Change of Base Formula

Examples of How to Apply the Log Rules

Example 1: Evaluate the expression below using Log Rules.

log⁡28+log⁡24log28+log24

Express 88 and 44 as exponential numbers with a base of 22. Then, apply Power Rule followed by
Identity Rule. After doing so, you add the resulting values to get your final answer.

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Example 2: Evaluate the expression below using Log Rules.

Example 3: Evaluate the expression below.

There appear to be many things going on at the same time. First, see if you can simplify each of the
logarithmic numbers. If not, start thinking about some of the obvious logarithmic rules that apply.

By observation, we see that there are two bases involved: 55 and 44. We can start this out by combining
the terms that have the same base. Let’s simplify them separately.

For log with base 55, apply the Power Rule first followed by Quotient Rule. For log with base 44, apply
the Product Rule immediately. Then get the final answer by adding the two values found.

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Yep, the final answer is 77.

Example 4: Expand the logarithmic expression below.

log⁡3(27x2y5)log3(27x2y5)

A product of factors is contained within the parenthesis. Apply the Product Rule to express them as a
sum of individual log expressions. Make an effort to simplify numerical expressions into exact values
whenever possible. Use Rule 5 (Identity rule) as much as possible because it can help to simplify the
process.

I must admit that the final answer appears “unfinished.” But we shouldn’t be concerned as long as we
know we followed the rules correctly.

Example 5: Expand the logarithmic expression.

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The approach is to apply the Quotient Rule first as the difference of two log expressions because they
are in fractional form. Then utilize the Product Rule to separate the product of factors as the sum of
logarithmic expressions.

Example 6: Expand the logarithmic expression.

This one has a radical expression in the denominator. Remember that the square root symbol is the same
as having a power of 1221. Express the radical denominator as y12y21. Just like problem #5, apply the
Quotient Rule for logs and then use the Product Rule.

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Example 7: Expand the logarithmic expression.

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Solving Logarithmic Equations

Generally, there are two types of logarithmic equations. Study each case carefully before you start
looking at the worked examples below.

Types of Logarithmic Equations

 The first type looks like this.

If you have a single logarithm on each side of the equation having the same base, you can set the
arguments equal to each other and then solve. The arguments here are the algebraic expressions
represented by MM and NN.

 The second type looks like this.

If you have a single logarithm on one side of the equation, you can express it as an exponential equation
and solve it.

Let’s learn how to solve logarithmic equations by going over some examples.

Examples of How to Solve Logarithmic Equations

Example 1: Solve the logarithmic equation.

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Since we want to transform the left side into a single logarithmic equation, we should use the Product
Rule in reverse to condense it. Here is the rule, just in case you forgot.

 Given

 Apply Product Rule from Log Rules.

 Distribute: (x+2)(3)=3x+6(x+2)(3)=3x+6

 Drop the logs, set the arguments (stuff inside the parenthesis) equal to each other.

 Then solve the linear equation. I know you got this part down!

Example 2: Solve the logarithmic equation.

Start by condensing the log expressions on the left into a single logarithm using the Product Rule. We
want to have a single log expression on each side of the equation. Be ready though to solve for a
quadratic equation since xx will have a power of 22.

 Given

 Apply Product Rule from Log Rules

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 Simplify: (x)(x–2)=x2–2x(x)(x–2)=x2–2x

 Drop the logs, set the arguments (stuff inside the parenthesis) equal to each other

 Solve the quadratic equation using the factoring method. But you need to move everything on
one side while forcing the opposite side equal to 00.

x–5=0 implies that x=5

x+2=0 implies that x=–2

Example 3: Solve the logarithmic equation.

This is an interesting problem. What we have here are differences of logarithmic expressions on both
sides of the equation. Simplify or condense the logs on both sides by using the Quotient Rule.

 Given

 The difference of logs is telling us to use the Quotient Rule. Convert the subtraction operation
outside into a division operation inside the parenthesis. Do it to both sides of the equations.

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Example 4: Solve the logarithmic equation.

If you see “log” without an explicit or written base, it is assumed to have a base of 10. In fact, a
logarithm with base 10 is known as the common logarithm.

 Given

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Example 5: Solve the logarithmic equation.

This problem involves the use of the symbol ln⁡instead of log⁡to mean logarithm.

Think of ln⁡as a special kind of logarithm using base e where e≈2.71828.

 Write the variable first, then the constant to be ready for the FOIL method.

Example 6: Solve the logarithmic equation.

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There is only one logarithmic expression in this equation. We consider this as the second case wherein
we have

We will transform the equation from the logarithmic form to the exponential form, then solve it.

 I color-coded the parts of the logarithmic equation to show where they go when converted into
exponential form.

 The blue expression stays at its current location, but the red number becomes the exponent of
the base of the logarithm which is 3.

Example 7: Solve the logarithmic equation.

Collect all the logarithmic expressions on one side of the equation (keep it on the left) and move the
constant to the right side. Use the Quotient Rule to express the difference of logs as fractions inside the
parenthesis of the logarithm.

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 The blue expression stays in its current location, but the red constant turns out to be the
exponent of the base of the log.

Example 8: Solve the logarithmic equation.

This problem is very similar to #7. Let’s gather all the logarithmic expressions to the left while keeping
the constant on the right side. Since we have the difference of logs, we will utilize the Quotient Rule.

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Example 9: Solve the logarithmic equation

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Example 10: Solve the logarithmic equation.

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