Lesson Explainer: Evaluating Logarithms | Nagwa Lesson Explainer: Evaluating Logarithms | Nagwa

Lesson Explainer: Evaluating Logarithms Mathematics • Second Year of Secondary School

In this explainer, we will learn how to evaluate logarithms of different bases using laws of logarithms.

First, recall that a logarithm is the inverse function of an exponential function. As such, we can write the same expression either as an exponential equation or as a logarithmic equation by rearranging the equation as follows.

Definition: Logarithms

For an exponential equation in the form π‘Ž=𝑛, where π‘Ž>0, this can be written as the logarithmic equation logοŒΊπ‘›=π‘₯, where π‘Ž is the base of the logarithm, 𝑛 is the argument, and π‘₯ is the exponent.

Recall that we can use the definition above to help us evaluate logarithms. For example, if we wanted to evaluate logοŠͺ16, this would be the same as asking, β€œ4 to the power of what is 16?”.

Or, if we set ,logοŠͺ16 equal to π‘₯, then logοŠͺ16=π‘₯, so 4=16.

As we know, 16 is 4; therefore, 4=4π‘₯=2.οŠ¨ο—

Hence, logοŠͺ16=2.

We will explore a similar question in our first example.

Example 1: Evaluating a Logarithm

What is the value of log8?

Answer

To find the value of log8, we can use the definition of a logarithm to rewrite this as an exponential equation. We know that π‘Ž=π‘₯⟺π‘₯=𝑛,log where π‘Ž>0.

By setting log8 equal to π‘₯, we can rewrite this as logοŠ¨ο—8=π‘₯⟺2=8.

Therefore, we need to find 2 to the power of what number is equal to 8. This gives us 3, so for 2=8,π‘₯=3.

So, log8=3.

Therefore, the answer is 3.

When evaluating logarithms with noninteger bases or arguments, it is helpful to use the laws of exponents for fractional indices and negative indices, as shown in the property below.

Property: Laws of Exponents for Fractional and Negative Indices

  • π‘Ž=βˆšπ‘ŽοŽ ο‘ƒο‘ƒ, 𝑛≠0
  • π‘Ž=1π‘ŽοŠ±οŠοŠ, π‘Žβ‰ 0

In the following example, we will consider how to use the law of exponents for fractional indices to help us evaluate a logarithm.

Example 2: Evaluating Logarithms

What is the value of logοŠ¨ο€Ό1128?

Answer

To find the value of logοŠ¨ο€Ό1128, it is helpful to write the argument, 1128, as a power of the base, 2.

Using the law of exponents for negative indices, π‘Ž=1π‘Ž, where π‘Žβ‰ 0, we can write 1128 as a power of 2 as follows: 1128=128=ο€Ή2=2

This then gives us loglogοŠ¨οŠ¨οŠ±οŠ­ο€Ό1128=ο€Ή2.

We can use the definition of a logarithm to rewrite this as an exponential equation. We know that π‘Ž=π‘₯⟺π‘₯=𝑛,log where π‘Ž>0. By setting logοŠ¨οŠ±οŠ­ο€Ή2=π‘₯, we then get logοŠ¨οŠ±οŠ­οŠ±οŠ­ο—ο€Ή2=π‘₯⟺2=2.

By comparing exponents in 2=2οŠ±οŠ­ο—, we can see that π‘₯=βˆ’7, which is the value of logοŠ¨ο€Ό1128.

Often, we can use a calculator to evaluate the value of a logarithm. We can do this using the logarithm function and inputting the argument and base. In the next example, we will use a calculator to evaluate the value of the logarithm.

Example 3: Evaluating Logarithms Using a Calculator

Find the value of logοŠͺ22.08 correct to 4 decimal places.

Answer

To find the value of logοŠͺ22.08 correct to 4 decimal places, we will need to use a scientific calculator.

When evaluating this logarithm, we are asking, β€œ4 to the power of what number gives us 22.08?” It is helpful to estimate the answer first before using the calculator.

Thinking about the powers of 4, we know that the closest powers to 22.08 are 4, which is 16, and 4, which is 64. This means that the power will be between 2 and 3, meaning the value of logοŠͺ22.08 will be between 2 and 3.

To use a scientific calculator, we do the following steps.

First, we need to locate the button for inputting a logarithm. On your scientific calculator or graphing display calculator, you need to find the button that has the symbol shown below.

Calculator

Second, once we have pressed the log button, we will then be able to input 4 as the base and 22.08 as the argument, as shown below.

calculator3

Lastly, when we press the equals button, we get the value of the logarithm correct to 10 significant figures, which is 2.232334134, as shown below.

calculator2

Once we have obtained the value from the calculator, we can then round this to 4 decimal places, giving us 2.2323.

Therefore, the value of logοŠͺ22.08 is 2.2323 correct to 4 decimal places.

In addition to evaluating logarithms, given the base and the argument, we can also find unknown bases or arguments in a logarithm by rewriting it in its exponent form. In the next example, we will demonstrate how to do this for an unknown in the argument.

Example 4: Finding Unknowns in a Single Logarithm

If log(π‘₯βˆ’8)=3, what is the value of π‘₯?

Answer

To find the value of π‘₯ in log(π‘₯βˆ’8)=3, we can first write the logarithm in its exponent form. We know that π‘Ž=π‘₯⟺π‘₯=𝑛,log where π‘Ž>0.

Therefore, log(π‘₯βˆ’8)=3⟺9=(π‘₯βˆ’8).

Simplifying and solving 9=(π‘₯βˆ’8), we get 9=(π‘₯βˆ’8)π‘₯βˆ’8=729π‘₯=737.

Therefore, if log(π‘₯βˆ’8)=3, the value of π‘₯ is 737.

We can then check the answer by substituting this back into the expression. This gives us loglog(737βˆ’8)=3(729)=3.

As we know 9 to the power of 3 is 729, we can see that this is the correct answer.

Sometimes, when working with logarithms, we use what is called the β€œcommon logarithm,” which has base 10. We use a special notation for this, as shown in the definition below.

Definition: Notation for Logarithms with Base 10

For a logarithm with base 10, we omit the base and only write log. That is, loglogπ‘₯=π‘₯, which is called the β€œcommon logarithm.”

In our last example, we will evaluate a logarithm with base 10 and then simplify this.

Example 5: Evaluating a Logarithm with Base 10

Given that π‘₯=5+2√6, find the value of logο€Ό1π‘₯+π‘₯.

Answer

To find the value of logο€Ό1π‘₯+π‘₯ when π‘₯=5+2√6, we will start by substituting π‘₯ into the expression. Doing so gives us loglogο€Ό1π‘₯+π‘₯=ο€Ώ15+2√6+5+2√6.

To simplify the first term inside the logarithm, we need to multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the conjugate of 5+2√6, which is 5βˆ’2√6. This then gives us loglogο€Ώ15+2√6+5+2√6=1ο€»5+2√6×5βˆ’2√65βˆ’2√6+5+2√6.

Simplifying the terms inside the logarithm, we get loglogloglogloglog1ο€»5+2√6×5βˆ’2√65βˆ’2√6+5+2√6=5βˆ’2√65+2√65βˆ’2√6+5+2√6=5βˆ’2√625βˆ’10√6+10√6βˆ’4Γ—6+5+2√6=5βˆ’2√61+5+2√6=ο€»5βˆ’2√6+5+2√6=(10).

As log(10) is log10, we know that this is 1, since 10 to the power of 1 is 10.

Therefore, the value of logο€Ό1π‘₯+π‘₯ when π‘₯=5+2√6 is 1.

In this explainer, we have learned how to evaluate logarithms by rewriting them as exponents and, where necessary, using the laws of exponents. Let’s recap the key points.

Key Points

  • We can rewrite logarithms in exponential form in order to help evaluate them: π‘Ž=π‘₯⟺π‘₯=𝑛,log where π‘Ž>0.
  • When working with fractional or negative indices, we can use the laws of exponents to help us evaluate logarithms.
  • We can use a scientific calculator to evaluate logarithms where needed.
  • When finding unknowns in single logarithms, we can first rewrite them in their exponent form and then solve for the unknown.

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