Consider the statement

1000 x 100 = 100 000

Remembering
(hopefully!) that….
103 = 1000
102 = 100
105 = 100 000

We can rewrite our original statement in

power (index) format as
103 x 102 = 105
Our statement that 102 x 103 = 105 is just a
specific case of the general rule

a mx a n = a m+n Power Rule 1

In Year 10, you learned two other rules which

went hand-in-hand with Rule 1….

a m÷ a n = a m–n Power Rule 2

( a m )n = a mn Power Rule 3

These last two rules can be easily verified using real numbers as we did
on the previous slide. These three rules are the basis of all our
logarithm work to come. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THEM!!
There are also some other rules you need to
remember as these appear in log work….

Rule 4………a 0
=1
Rule 5………a 1
=a

Rule 6………a -n = 1/a n

Help! I’m
drowning in n
rules! Rule 7………a 1/n
= a
 Now let’s take this a bit further and go
beyond Year 10 work…..

In the statement
100 = 102

100 is called the “number” 2 is called the

“logarithm” ( known to
Year 10s as “power” or “index”
10 is called the “base”, and but in senior school we call it
LOGARITHM !!

So LOGARITHM is just a fancy word for POWER

So, where are we….?

can be described in
100 = 10 2
words as “100 equals
10 squared”.

BUT…using our new terminology from the

earlier slide we can also say

2 is the LOGARITHM of the NUMBER

100 (BASE 10)

and in symbols….

SAME THING! log10 100 = 2

So we now have these two
interchangeable formats……

100 = 102 log10100 = 2

This is This is
called called
POWER LOGARITHMIC
FORMAT FORMAT

Now, if we replace the 100, 10 and 2 with letters,

we can come up with a formula which then enables
us to do this interchange for all numbers, bases and
logarithms
 100 = 102 log10100 = 2

Replace 100 with n

Replace 10 with a
Replace 2 with t

n = at loga n = t LEARN!

Log Law #1 – the most important of all!

This is known as the TRANSFORMATION RULE and

must be memorised! It will enable you to swap
between power format and log format with ease!
Insect lovers take note! You might notice two insects, ANTs (which live in
logs) and NATs (misspelt!).
Use the Transformation Rule to fill in this table

Power Format Log Format

9 = 32 log39 = 2
81 = 34 log381 = 4
64 = 43 log464 = 3
216 = 63 log6216 = 3
2-2 = ¼ log2(1/4) = -2
1/125 = 5-3 -3 = log5(1/125)
81/3 = 2 log82 = 1/3
Click to check your answers
 Find the value of log41024

Solution Ans: 5
Let log4 1024 = x

By the Transformation Rule logan =t n = at

We can write log4 1024 =x 1024 = 4x Now

solve
It’s easier to solve power format than log format. this!
Using calculator we trial various powers of 4, and
ultimately we find that 45 = 1024, so x = 5
There are more technically correct ways to do this, but for the moment,
trial and error will do!
 Evaluate without a calculator log 2 0.25

Solution
Let log 2 0.25 = x

By the Transformation Rule logan =t n = at

We can write log2 0.25 =x 0.25 = 2x

Now if we change 0.25 into ¼, which is 1/22 or 2-2,

we then see that 2x = 2-2, and so x = – 2
 Remember our original
statement on Slide 2 ?

1000 x 100 = 100 000

Which we then rewrote as
103 x 102 = 105
We can now go one better, and realising that the
powers can be connected using 3 + 2 = 5, we can
now write this another way, i.e.

log101000 + log10100 = log10100 000

log101000 + log10100 = log10100 000

Now if we replace
1000 with a
100 with b
100 000 with a x b
10 with n

We can now write a general formula……

Log Law
log n a + log n b = log n (a x b) #2

This is really just a disguised version of the Year 10 rule that

when you multiply, you add the powers!
Using a similar approach we can also
show that

log n a - log n b = log n (a ÷ b)

Log Law
which can also be written as #3

log n a - log n b = log n (a / b)

 Simplify log35 + log34

Solution
Using Log Law #2 i.e.

log n a + log n b = log n (ab )

Let n = 3, a = 5 and b = 4. This means ab = 20

So log35 + log34 = log320 (ans)

Note: This is only possible when the base (n) is

the same in both terms.
 Simplify log272 – log29

Solution
Using Log Law #3 i.e.

log n a - log n b = log n (a / b )

Let n = 2, a = 72 and b = 9. This means a / b = 8

So log272 – log29 = log28 (ans – almost!)

Now you should always check to see if these
two numbers (the 2 and 8) are related in any
way…… see next slide!
Our answer is log28 but it can be
simplified !
If you can get into the habit of
checking if the 2 (base) and the 8
(number) are related as powers,
you are then able to use the
Transformation Rule….

log28 = x 8=2 x

And so x = 3
A better ans then is: Note we could
not have done
this in Example 3
log272 – log29 = log28 = 3 as 20 and 3 are
Now for the last of the
YAY!!
“Big Four”

Remember Log Law #2 back on Slide 15?

log n (ab) = log n a + log n b

This can be extended to more than two terms, e.g.

log n (abc) = log n a + log n b + log n c (3 terms)

Or if a, b, c are all the same, say they’re all “ a ”…..then

log n (a 3
) = log n a + log n a + log n a
Check that you
understand this
i.e. log n (a 3) = 3 log n a before next slide!
And if there are 4 terms, then….
log n (a 4) = 4 log n a
And if there are “ y ”
terms we can generalise
to get our Log Law #4
Formula….

Log Law
log n (a y ) = y log n a #4
LOG LAW #1: Transformation Rule
log a n = t n = a t

LOG LAW #2: When numbers are multiplied, you

ADD their logs
log a (xy) = log a x + log a y

LOG LAW #3: When numbers are divided, you

SUBTRACT their logs
log a (x / y) = log a x - log a y

LOG LAW #4: The Power Law

log a (x n ) = n log a x
 to the “Big 4”, there are also some
“lesser” log laws which are special
cases of the Big 4 and come in
extremely handy!

If you apply Law #1 (the

Law #5: log a a = 1
Transformation Rule), you will see
that a = a 1 which is certainly true!

Again applying the Transformation

Law #6: log a 1 = 0 Rule gives 1 = a 0 which is true!

Law #7: log a (1/x) = - log a x

Using Law #3 we first get log a 1 – log a x and then using

Law #6 above this becomes 0 – log a x i.e. – log a x
 Now we’ll do some examples
which require all 7 log laws to
be used strategically!
 Simplify 2log35 + 3log34

Solution
First use Law #4 to shift the coefficients (2 & 3) up to the
power position

2log35 + 3log34
= log3 (52) + log 3 (43) which is log 3 25 + log 3 64
As this is now of the format log a + log b we can use Law
#2 to combine together and get log (ab)
= log3 (25 x 64)
At this stage, check if there is any
Work it out recognisable power connection between 3
= log3 (1600) and 1600. Maybe check powers of 3 on the
calc. There appears to be no connection, so
leave this as the ans.
 Simplify 2 log 5 3 - 2log 5 15

Solution
Again use Law #4 to shift the coefficients (2 & 2) up to the
power position

2log 5 3 - 2log 5 15
= log5 (32) - log 5 (152) which is log 5 9 - log 5 225
As this is now of the format log a - log b we can use Law
#3 to combine together and get log (a / b)
= log5 (9 / 225)
At this stage, check if there is any
Work it out recognisable power connection between 5
= log5 (1/25) and 1/25. Now the 5 and 25 should give you
the clue: 1/25 is equal to 5-2 !! OVER…
To work out log5 (1/25)
Rewrite as

log5 (5 -2
)
Use Law #4 to drop the power down the front
= -2 log5 5
Now use Law #5 log a a = 1 which can only be used then the
base and number are the same!! (here they’re both 5!)
= -2 x 1

= -2 Ans !
 4 log10 100
Simplify
5 log10 1000

Solution
Remember if you can spot a connection between the
base (10) & numbers (100 & 1000), always work on
this first, so rewrite the numbers as powers of 10.

4 log10 100 4 log10 (102 ) Now use Law #4 to drop

 powers (2 & 3) to the
5 log10 1000 5log10 (103 ) front
4  2log10 10 Now use Law #5

5  3log10 10
4  2(1) 8

5  3(1)

15
Ans!
 1
If log4  a log4 3, find the value of a
3 3
Solution
First use Law 3 to change the left side and kill the
fraction
1
log4  log4 1  log4 (3 3 ) Now use Law #6 loga1 = 0
3 3
  log4 (3 3 ) Now remember 33 =
3
3 x 31/2 = 3 3/2
  log4 (3 2 )
Now Law#4 to bring power
3 down front
  log4 3
2
which is now of form a log4 3 so a = -3/2
 Express in simplest form 4 – 3log10 x

Solution
This is the style of Q14, P283. The question is asking you to
write 4 – 3 log 10 x as a single log, i.e. in format log 10 a.

The overall strategy is firstly to write the “4” as

log 10 (something) and use Law #4 to move the 3 to the
power position. This will then give us a format
log a – log b which we can then switch to log (a/b)
using Law #3. PHEW!!! Here we go…
4 – 3 log 10 x

Hmmmmmm….
what to do
with the 4 ???

Since there’s already a “log 10”

present, maybe we could write
the 4 as log 10 (something) ??
So Let 4 = log 10 y
Applying Law #1 (Transformation Rule)
log a n = t n = a t

log 10 y = 4 y = 10 4

This means that y = 10 000 and so 4 = log10 10000

So back to the original question

4 – 3 log 10 x can now be rewritten as
log10 10000 – log 10 x 3 using Law #4 to move the 3
= log10 (10000 /x 3)
using Law #2
 Simplify 5log28 + 3

Solution
Remember to first look for a connection between the 2 and
8 ? As 8 = 23 we can write log 2 8 = log 2 (23)

5log28 + 3
= 5log2 (23) + 3 Use Law #4 to move the 3 to front
= 5 x 3 log 2 2 + 3 Use Law #5 to simplify log22
= 5 x 3 (1) + 3
=18 NOTE!! Here we didn’t have to change the “3” on the end into
log (something), as we were able to simplify the first term
and get rid of the log. This was possible because we made the
effort to first find that connection between the 2 and the 8!
First revise:
Transformation Rule
Negative Indices
Fractional Indices
 Solve log 2 x = 5

Solution
Use LOG LAW #1: Transformation Rule
log a n = t n = a t

log2 x = 5
so x = 25

x = 32
Easy!!
 Solve log 3 (1/9) = x

Solution
Use LOG LAW #1: Transformation Rule
log a n = t n = a t

log3 (1/9) = x
so 1/9 = 3x
i.e. 3-2 = 3x
x = -2
Equating the powers,

This is why I asked you to revise negative powers!!

 Solve 3 x = 20
Note: This is a very common question where the unknown is in
the power and there is no obvious connection between the two
numbers (3 and 20 in this case). The strategy is to take log10
of BOTH SIDES then use LAW #4.

3 x = 20 First, take logs10 of both sides

log10 (3x) = log1020 Now use Law#4 on left expression
x log10 3 = log1020 Finally divide both sides by log10 3
to make x the subject

log10 20
x 
log10 3
 Example 1
The population of a town t years
after 1990 can be modelled by the
equation
0.015t
P  13000 2
1. What was the population in 1990?

2. What is the population expected to be in 2010?

3. How long before the population is 25000?

4. How long before the population doubles?

1. What was the population in 1990?

Subst t = 0
0.015 t
P  13000 2
0
P  13000 2
P  13000
The initial population (i.e. in 1990) was 13000.

Subst t = 0
2. What is the population expected to be in
2010?
As 2010 is 20 years after 1990, we let t = 20
in original formula

0.01520
P  13000  2
0 .3
P  13000  2
P  16005
3. How long before the population is 25000?

Subst P = 25000

0.015t
25000  13000  2
Get rid of the 13000 by dividing
25 0.015t
2
13
Logs10 of both sides
 25 
log10    log10 2 
0.015t

 13 
  25 
log10    log10 2 
0.015t

 13 
Use Law 4 on right side (bring power down
the front)
 25 
log10    0.015t log10 2
 13 
Make t the subject: divide both sides by
0.015 log102

t
log10 ( 25 / 13) t = 63yrs
0.015 log10 2
4. How long before the population doubles?

Subst P = 26000

0.015t
26000  13000  2
0.015t
22
1 0.015t
2 2
Equate powers,

1  0.015t t = 67 yrs
1
t
0.015
Example 2

The weight of a newborn dolphin t

weeks after birth is modelled by the
function
W  5 log10 (8t  9)

1. What was the initial weight?

2. What is its weight after 15 weeks?
3. Sketch the graph
4. How long before the weight doubles?
1. What was the initial weight?

Subst t = 0

W  5 log10 (8t  9)
W  5 log10 9
W  4.77kg

Its initial weight was 4.77kg.

2. What is its weight after 15 weeks?
Let t = 15 in original formula

W  5 log10 (8t  9)
W  5 log(8  15  9)
W  10.55kg

Its weight after 15 weeks was 10.55kg.

 3.

Weight
(kg)
W15 = 10.55kg (from
part (b))

t
5 10 15 20 (weeks)
W0 = 4.77kg (from
part (a))
4. How long before the weight is double the
birthweight?
Birthweight is 4.77kg so let W = 2 x 4.77 = 9.54

9.54  5 log10 (8t  9)

Get rid of the 5 by dividing
9.54
 log10 (8t  9)
5
1.908  log10 8t  9 
Transformation rule
1.908
8t  9  10
 1.908
8t  9  10
8t  9  80.9
8t  71.9
t 9

It will be approx. 9 weeks before the

weight has doubled
Example 3
The population of rabbits on a farm is initially 2000
and increases by 8% per month.

(a) Write an equation for this situation.

(b) How many rabbits will there be after 9 months?
(c) After how many months will the population first
top the 20 000 mark?
(a) Write an equation for this situation.

As the rate is 8%, the growth multiplying

factor will be (1 + 0.08) i.e. 1.08. The initial
pop. is 2000. Therefore the equation will be

P = 2000 x 1.08t
(b) How many rabbits will there be after 9 months?

P = 2000 x 1.08t

Let t = 9

P = 2000 x 1.089
P = 3998
(c) After how many months will the population first
pass the 20 000 mark?

P = 2000 x 1.08t
Let P = 20 000

20000 = 2000 x 1.08t

10 = 1.08t
Logs of both sides
Log10 10 = log10 1.08t
1 = t log10 1.08
t = 29.9
So in the 30th month the population
will hit 20000
Example 4
The value of a car is initially $30 000 and decreases
by 12% per year.

(a) Write an equation for this situation.

(b) What will the car be worth after 6 years?
(c) After how many years will the car’s value halve?
(a) Write an equation for this situation.

As the rate is 12%, the decay multiplying

factor will be (1 – 0.12) i.e. 0.88. The initial
value is 30000. Therefore the equation will
be Contrast this paragraph with the same one
on slide 59 i.e. how does decay differ to
growth?

V = 30000 x 0.88t
(b) What is the car’s value after 6 years?

V = 30000 x 0.88t

Let t = 6

P = 30000 x 0.886
P = $13932.12
(c) After how many years will the car’s value halve?

V = 30000 x 0.88t
Let V = 15 000 (1/2 of 30000)

15000 = 30000 x 0.88t

½ = 0.88t
Logs of both sides
Log10 ½ = log10 0.98t
-0.3010 = t log10 0.88
t = 5.42
So in after 5.4 years the value will
halve
Example 5
$2000 is invested for 6 years at 8.5% p.a.
compounding annually.

(a) How much does the $2000 amount to?

(b) How much interest is earned?
 Manually - formula Graphics – TVM solver

V = 2000 x 1.0856

= $3262.94

(b) Interest earned

= 3262.94 – 2000
= $1262.94
Example 6
$2000 is invested for 6 years at 8.5% p.a.
compounding monthly.

(a) How much does the $2000 amount to?

(b) How much interest is earned?
 Manually - formula Graphics – TVM solver

V = 2000 x (1 + 0.085/12)(6 x 12)

= $3324.60

Note the differences in screens

in this example and the last one.
(b) Interest earned N = number of time-periods and
P/Y is number of time-periods per
= 3324.60 – 2000
year. IN THIS CASE A TIME
= $1324.60 PERIOD IS A MONTH, so 72
months in 6 years