Darmand’s Ultimate Science Academy

CSEC Additional Mathematics

Indices and Logarithms

In this topic, we will study two special types of functions:

1. The exponential function – this is any function of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 where a is positive number
(excluding 1). In this expression, we refer to 𝑎 as our base and 𝑥 as the index/power/exponent.
1 𝑥
Examples include: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 , 𝑦 = 3−𝑥 , 𝑦 = (2)

2. The logarithmic function – this is any function of the form 𝑦 = log𝑎 𝑥 , where 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1 and
𝑥 > 0. Examples include: 𝑦 = log 3 𝑥 , 𝑦 = log10 (𝑥 − 1)

Note: It is important that students can clearly distinguish between an exponential function and a
polynomial. We will clarify with the aid of an example.

Polynomial: 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5
Here, the unknown variable is our base and the powers are numbers.

Exponential function: 𝑦 = 5𝑥
Here, the number is our base and the power is our unknown variable.

The Exponential and Logarithmic Function

Mathematically, the exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other. Thus, if we sketch
both functions on the same pair of axes, we will notice that they reflect each other through the line 𝑦 = 𝑥

Based on this, we can deduce the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic
equation/functions.
𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 ↔ log 𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑥

Notice that in both forms, the base remains the same!

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Example 1
Rewrite the following equations in logarithmic form.
(a) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 (b) 𝑥 𝑦 = 130 (c) 𝑛𝑚 = 𝑦

(d) 𝑣 𝑘 = 74 (e) 3𝑛 = 125 (f) 𝑥 −13 = 𝑦

1
1
(g) 812 = 9 (h) 122 = 144 (i) 3−3 = 27

Example 2
Rewrite the following equations in exponential form.
(a) log 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑧 (b) log 𝑎 𝑥 = 5𝑦 (c) log 3𝑎 2𝑦 = −𝑥

(d) log 3 𝑥 = 𝑦 (e) log 𝑎 3 = 4 (f) log 𝑥 3 = 𝑦

(g) log10 1000 = 3 (h) log 0.5 4 = −2 (i) log 2 0.125 = −3

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Earlier we defined the logarithmic function briefly to say that
𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥
However, there are mathematical restrictions to the value of 𝑎 and to that of 𝑥. The restrictions say that
𝑎 > 0 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝑎 ≠ 1
𝑥>0

Example 3
Using a calculator evaluate the following logarithmic expression:
(a) log −3 4 (b) log 0 5 (c) log1 2

Don’t panic! Yes, the answers are all undefined. Can you tell why?

Example 4
Using a calculator, evaluate the following logarithmic expressions:
(a) log 2 4 (b) log 2 −4 (c) log −3 −27

Can you tell why b and c are undefined?

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The Laws of Indices
The following is a list of the laws of indices:
𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 when multiplying with the same base, we add the powers.

Example: 𝑥3 × 𝑥2 = 2𝑥−3 ∙ 22𝑥+6 =

𝑎𝑚 ÷ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚− 𝑛 when dividing with the same base, we subtract the powers.

Example: 𝑝3 ÷ 𝑝2 = 5𝑥+6 ÷ 53𝑥+1 =

(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 when raising an exponential expression to another power, we multiply

the powers.

1 3
Example: (𝑥 3 )2 = (𝑦 3 ) =

1
𝑎−𝑚 = when the base is raised to a negative power, we reciprocate to get a
𝑎𝑚

positive power.

5
Example: 𝑥 −5 = =
𝑥 −2

3𝑥 −2
(𝑦) =

𝑎0 = 1 when the base is raised to a power of zero, the result is one.

Example: 70 = (3𝑥 − 𝑦)0 =

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 𝑚 𝑚
𝑛
𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎𝑚 = ( 𝑛√𝑎) when the base is raised to a fractional power, the denominator is our

root and the numerator is our exponent.

2 3
Example: 83 = 16−4 =

𝑎𝑚 ∗ 𝑏𝑚 = (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 when multiplying different bases, with the same power, we multiply

the bases and keep the power

Example: 3𝑥 × 4𝑥 =

𝑎 𝑚
𝑎 𝑚 ÷ 𝑏 𝑚 = (𝑏 ) when dividing different bases, with the same power, we divide the

bases and keep the power.

Example: 3𝑥 ÷ 4𝑥

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The Laws of Logarithms
The following is a list of the laws of logarithms:
log 𝑎 𝑀𝑁 = log𝑎 𝑀 + log 𝑎 𝑁 the log of a product is the sum of the logs.
Example: log3 𝑥 + log 3 2𝑦 = log 3 2𝑥𝑦
Example: log(𝑥 2 𝑦) = log 𝑥 2 + log 𝑦
Example: log 4(𝑥 − 1) + log 4(𝑥 + 1 ) =
Example: log 7(𝐴3 𝐵) =
Note: log without a base is by default base 10

𝑀
log 𝑎 ( 𝑁 ) = log 𝑎 𝑀 − log 𝑎 𝑁 the log of a quotient is the difference of the logs.
5
Example: log 5 − log 𝑥 = log ( )
𝑥

𝑥
Example: log3 (2𝑦 ) = log 3 𝑥 − log 3 2𝑦

Example: log 3(𝑥 2 − 1) − log3 (𝑥 − 1) =

Example: log a(𝑥 2 )

log 𝑎 𝑀𝑝 = 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑀 the log of an exponent, is the product of the power and the log.
Example: 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 𝑥 2 = 2 log5 𝑥
1
1
Example: log 2 𝑥 = log 2 𝑥 3
3

log 𝑎 𝑎 = 1 the log of a number equal to the base is one

Example: log𝑥 𝑥 = 1
Example: log3 3 = 1

log 𝑎 1 = 0 the log to any base of one is zero

Example: log 4 1 = 0
Example: log 1 = 0

NOTE:
𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 + 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵 ≠ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 (𝑴 + 𝑵)

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 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 − 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵 ≠ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 (𝑴 − 𝑵)
𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 × 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵 ≠ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 + 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵
𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 ÷ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵 ≠ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑴 − 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑵

- log10 is called the common log and is represented as either 𝑙𝑜𝑔 or 𝑙𝑔

- log 𝑒 is called the natural log and is represented as 𝑙𝑛. We will not be using the natural log in
additional mathematics.

Example 5
Simplify each of the following as a single logarithm expression:
(a) lg(𝑥 − 2) + lg 𝑥 (b) 3𝑙𝑔𝑥 − lg (𝑥 + 1)

3
(c) lg 𝑥 − lg √𝑥 + lg(𝑥 − 5) (d) log 4(𝑥 2 + 3) − 2 log4 𝑥
2

(e) log 5(𝑥 − 1) + 3 log 5(𝑥 − 2) − log5 (𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2)

(f) 2 log 6(𝑥 + 3) − log 6(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3) + log 6(𝑥 − 1)

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Example 6
Without using a calculator, evaluate each of the following logarithmic expressions.
1
(a) log 4 16 (b) log 𝑥 𝑥 2 (c) log 𝑎 (𝑎2 )

1 4
(d) log 𝑛 ( ) (e) log 5 25√5 (f) log √1000
√𝑛

Example 7
Simplify the following expression as a single logarithmic expression in its simplest term
(a) lg 40 + lg 2 (b) log 3 6 − log 3 2 − 1

1
(c) 5 log 9 3 − log 9 18 + log9 6 (d) 6 log (2) + 2 lg 4 + 2lg 5

1 2 3 8 9
(e) lg (2) + lg (3) + lg (4) + ⋯ + lg (9) + lg (10)

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Example 8
If 𝑥 = log 2 𝑃 , 𝑦 = log 2 𝑄 and 𝑧 = log 2 𝑅, write the following in terms of 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧:
(a) log 2(𝑃𝑅) (b) log 2(𝑅𝑄2 )

𝑃𝑅
(c) log 2 ( 𝑄 ) (d) log 2(𝑃2 √𝑄)

𝑄3 𝑅2 √𝑄
(e) log 2 ( ) (e) log 2 ( )
√𝑅 𝑃3

Example 9
If 𝑝 = log 𝑏 2 , 𝑞 = log𝑏 3 and 𝑟 = log 𝑏 5, write in terms of 𝑝, 𝑞 and r

(a) log 𝑏 6 (b) log 𝑏 45

5 25√3
(c) log 𝑏 (32) (d) log 𝑏 ( )
8

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Example 10
Given that log 𝑃 𝑋 = 9 and log𝑝 𝑌 = 6, Find
1
(a) log 𝑝 √𝑋 (b) log 𝑝 (𝑋)

𝑋 3𝑌 2
(c) log 𝑝 (𝑋𝑌) (c) log 𝑝 ( )
√𝑃

(d) log 𝑃 1 (d) log1 𝑃

By now, you would have noticed that

𝑅𝑘1 𝑆𝑘2
log 𝑎 [ ] = 𝑘1 log 𝑎 𝑅 + 𝑘2 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑆 − 𝑘3 log 𝑎 𝑇
𝑇𝑘3

From this result:

1. The powers of each variable become our coefficient. This is a result of the law of logarithm that says
log𝑎 𝑀𝑝 = 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑀
2. The sign of our expressions depends on the position of the variable in the fraction.
a. If the variable is in the numerator, then the coefficient will be assigned a positive sign.
b. If the variable is in the denominator, then the coefficient will be assigned a negative sign.
This is a result of the law of logarithms that says
𝑀
log 𝑎 ( ) = log𝑎 𝑀 − log 𝑎 𝑁
𝑁

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Transposing Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
Just like simple linear and rational equations, exponential and logarithmic equations can be transposed for a
given variable. The examples below explore the idea of transposing a logarithmic/exponential equation.

Example 11
Given that 𝑦 = 𝐶𝑎−𝑘𝑡 , express 𝑡 in terms of 𝑦 , 𝑐 and 𝑘

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Example 12
Given that
5
−
𝑇 = 𝑘𝑟 𝑝

(a) Show that

5 lg 𝑟
𝑝=
𝑙𝑔𝐾 − lg 𝑇
(b) Hence, evaluate 𝑝 when 𝐾 = 15 , 𝑟 = 67 and T = 0.15

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Solving Exponential Equations
To solve an exponential equation, we must reduce both sides of the equation to one term each. This can be
done by using the laws of indices and some algebraic manipulation. Once we have done this, we can solve
the equation using any of the following case:

Case 1: 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) ↔ 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥)

Here, we have the same base on both sides of the equation with different powers. Since both
sides of the equation are equal, we can deduce that the exponents must also be the same.
Therefore, we can equate them.

Example 13
Solve the following equations for 𝑥:
(a) 23𝑥+4 = 2𝑥 − 2 (b) 3𝑥+4 = 36𝑥−11

(c) 25𝑥−1 = 4𝑥+3 (d)

2𝑥−3 32
= 𝑥
8−𝑥 42

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(e) (f)
2
3𝑥 4𝑥2 25
= 9𝑥 =
27 8−𝑥 2𝑥

2
(g) 2𝑥 = 322𝑥−5

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Example 14
Given that
𝑎𝑥 𝑏𝑦
× (𝑎𝑦+1 )2 = 𝑎𝑏6 ,
𝑏3−𝑥

find the value of 𝑥 and of 𝑦

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Case 2: 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 , where 𝑏 is a positive constant and 𝑏 ≠ 𝑎𝑘 , 𝑘 ∈ ℤ
After simplifying, one side of the equation is exponential while the next side is a constant
value that cannot be expressed in terms of base a. To solve an equation in this form, we take
log of both sides to bring the power down from the exponent, then transpose.
Given that

𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏
Take 𝑙𝑔 of both sides, we get:

lg[𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) ] = lg 𝑏

𝑓(𝑥 ) lg 𝑎 = lg 𝑏
lg 𝑏
𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
lg 𝑎

Example 15
Solve the following equations for the unknown variables
(a) 2𝑥 = 5 (b) 3−𝑥 = 2

(c) 47𝑥−3 = 5 (d) 32−5𝑥 = 2

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(e) 2𝑥 = −3 (f) 𝑒 5𝑥−1 = − 9

(g) 2𝑥 + 2𝑥−3 = 5 (g) 9𝑥+2 − 9𝑥 = 100

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Case 3: 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑔(𝑥)
After simplifying both sides of the equation, we get two exponential expressions with
different bases. To solve this equation, we take 𝑙𝑜𝑔 of both sides then transpose for the
unknown variable.
Given that

𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑔(𝑥)
Taking 𝑙𝑔 of both sides, we get:

lg 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = lg 𝑏 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓 (𝑥 ) lg 𝑎 = 𝑔(𝑥 ) lg 𝑏
At this point, we can group the terms in 𝑥 and solve accordingly.

Example 16
Solve each of the following equations for the unknown variable.
(a) 52𝑥−7 = 3𝑥−4 (b) 23𝑥+1 = 62𝑥+5

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(c) 105𝑥−3 = 47𝑥+1 (d) 3(5−𝑥 ) = 24−3𝑥

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(e) 5(43𝑥−1 ) = 3(62−3𝑥 )

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Example 17
Given that
53𝑥−2 = 7𝑥+2
Show that
2(lg 5 + lg 7)
𝑥=
lg 125 − lg 7

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Solving Reducible Exponential Equations
Often times, exponential equations are not expressed simple in the forms given above. There are cases where
we must reduce the given equation to either a linear or quadratic equation in order to solve. The following
examples demonstrate the concept of reducing an exponential equation.

Case 1: 𝑎2𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑐 = 0

In this case, the bases are the same but the exponents differ where one power is twice the
next. We can use the substation 𝑝 = 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) to reduce this equation to a quadratic equation.

Example 18
Solve for 𝑦 in the equation 9𝑦 + 5(3𝑦 − 10) = 0

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Example 19
Solve for 𝑥 in the equation
(a) 4 𝑥 − 3(2 𝑥 + 1 ) + 8 = 0 (b) 22𝑥+1 + 5(2𝑥 ) − 3 = 0

Example 20
Solve
25𝑥 = 21(5𝑥 ) + 100

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Example 21
Show that
22𝑥 + 3(2𝑥+1 ) + 8 = 0
has no solution.

1
Case 2: 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑎−𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑐 = 0 ⟺ 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑎𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑐 = 0

In this case, the bases are the same but exponents differ where one power is the negative of
the other. We can use either the substitution 𝑝 = 𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) or 𝑝 = 𝑎−𝑓(𝑥) to reduce the equation
to a quadratic equation.

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Example 22
Solve for 𝑥 in the equation
3𝑥 + 31−𝑥 = 4

Example 23
Determine the value(s) of 𝑥 that satisfy the equation
1
𝑎𝑥 + −2=0
𝑎𝑥
where 𝑎 is some arbitrary constant.

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Example 24
Use the substitution 𝑝 = 2−𝑥 to solve the equation:
2−𝑥 + 3(2𝑥 ) = 4

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Solving Logarithmic Equations
Before we get into solving logarithmic equations, we must recall the key components of the logarithmic
function:
𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥
where 𝑎 > 0 , 𝑎 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 > 0
Note: The restricted domain of the logarithmic function makes it possible to get extraneous solutions.
Therefore, we must check that our answers satisfy the domain of the logarithmic function.

Case 1: log 𝑎 𝑥 = log 𝑎 𝑦 ⇔ 𝑥 = 𝑦

In this case, we simplify both sides of the equation to a single logarithmic expression with the
same base. We can ‘cancel’ the logs and equate the arguments.

Example 25
Solve each of the following logarithmic equations.
(a) log 3 𝑥 = log 3(3𝑥 − 4) (b) log 𝑎 (𝑥 − 1) = log 𝑎 (3𝑥 + 5)

(c) lg(2𝑥 + 5) − lg(𝑥 − 8) = 1 (d) 2log8 𝑥 = log8 (4𝑥 − 3)

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(e) log 2(𝑥 − 2) + log 2(𝑥 + 3) = log 2 (3𝑥 + 2)

(f) lg(𝑥 + 5) − lg(𝑥 − 3) = lg (2𝑥 + 1)

(g) log 𝑎 (6𝑥 + 1) + log 𝑎 (2𝑥 + 3) = log𝑎 (4𝑥 + 4) #CXC Question

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Example 26
Solve for 𝑥 in the equation
log 𝑎 (4 − 3𝑥) = 2 log 𝑎 𝑥

Example 27
Solve for 𝑥 in the equation
log 4(𝑥 + 1) − log 4(3𝑥 − 1) = 3

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Case 2: log 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑏 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑏 ∈ ℝ
In this case, we simplify one side of the equation to a logarithmic equation and the other to a
real number (doesn’t matter if the number is positive or negative). To solve, we use the
inverse property:
log 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑏 ↔ 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏

Example 28
Solve for the unknown variable in each of the following
(a) log 2(10 − 𝑥) + 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥 = 4 (b) log 3(2𝑥 + 1) = 2 + log 3 (3𝑥 − 11)

(c) log 5(8𝑦 − 6) − log 5 (𝑦 − 5) = log 4 16 (d) log 4 2 + log 9(2𝑥 + 5) = log 8 64

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(e) log 9(𝑥 − 7) + log 9(𝑥 + 1) = log 3 3 (f) log 𝑥 (2𝑥 + 3) = 2

(g) log 5(8𝑦 − 6) − log 5 (𝑦 − 5) = log 100 (h) log 𝑥 (9𝑥 − 20) = log 4 16

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