Chapter 2: Logarithms

Exercise 2.4 Solved Notes

A comprehensive, solved academic guide for textbook Exercise 2.4, demonstrating logarithm laws, expressions expansion/compression, logarithmic equations, and word problems, completely free of watermarks.

Laws of Logarithms Theory

For any positive real numbers m, n, base a > 0 (and a ≠ 1):

  1. Product Law: loga(m × n) = loga m + loga n
  2. Quotient Law: loga(m / n) = loga m - loga n
  3. Power Law: loga(mn) = n × loga m
  4. Change of Base Law: loga b = logc b / logc a (where c is a new base, e.g. base 10).
Question 1 Evaluate Expressions
Without using calculator, evaluate the following:
(i) log2 18 - log2 9

Solution:

Apply the Quotient Law: logb m - logb n = logb (m / n).

log2 18 - log2 9 = log2 (189)
= log2 2

Since logb b = 1:

= 1
(ii) log2 64 + log2 2

Solution:

Apply the Product Law: logb m + logb n = logb (m × n).

log2 64 + log2 2 = log2 (64 × 2)
= log2 (128)

Since 128 = 27:

= log2 (27)

Apply the Power Law: logb (mk) = k logb m:

= 7 log2 2 = 7(1)
= 7
(iii) 13 log3 8 - log3 18

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law to the first term: k logb m = logb (mk).

13 log3 8 = log3 (81/3)

Since 8 = 23, we get 81/3 = (23)1/3 = 2:

= log3 2

2. Now substitute back and apply the Quotient Law:

log3 2 - log3 18 = log3 (218)
= log3 (19)

Since 19 = 132 = 3-2:

= log3 (3-2)
= -2 log3 3 = -2(1)
= -2
(iv) 2 log 2 + log 25

Solution:

Note: When no base is written, common logarithm base 10 is assumed (log = log10).

1. Apply the Power Law to the first term:

2 log 2 = log (22) = log 4

2. Apply the Product Law:

log 4 + log 25 = log (4 × 25)
= log 100

Since 100 = 102:

= log (102) = 2 log 10 = 2(1)
= 2
(v) 13 log4 64 + 2 log5 25

Solution:

1. Simplify the first term: 64 = 43.

13 log4 64 = 13 log4 (43) = 13 × 3 log4 4 = 1(1) = 1

2. Simplify the second term: 25 = 52.

2 log5 25 = 2 log5 (52) = 2 × 2 log5 5 = 4(1) = 4

3. Add the values together:

1 + 4 = 5
(vi) log3 12 + log3 0.25

Solution:

Apply the Product Law:

log3 12 + log3 0.25 = log3 (12 × 0.25)

Since 12 × 0.25 = 12 × 14 = 3:

= log3 3
= 1
Question 2 Single Logarithm
Write the following as a single logarithm.
(i) 12 log 25 + 2 log 3

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law:

= log (251/2) + log (32)
= log 5 + log 9

2. Apply the Product Law:

= log (5 × 9) = log 45
(ii) log 9 - log 13

Solution:

Apply the Quotient Law:

= log (91/3)
= log (9 × 3) = log 27
(iii) log5 b2 · loga 53

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law to both terms:

= (2 log5 b) × (3 loga 5)
= 6 × log5 b × loga 5

2. Apply the Change of Base Law (logy x = log xlog y):

= 6 × log blog 5 × log 5log a

Cancel out log 5:

= 6 × log blog a

Convert back to logarithmic base:

= 6 loga b
(iv) 2 log3 x + log3 y

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law to the first term:

= log3 (x2) + log3 y

2. Apply the Product Law:

= log3 (x2y)
(v) 4 log5 x - log5 y + log5 z

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law to the first term:

= log5 (x4) - log5 y + log5 z

2. Apply the Quotient Law to the subtraction term:

= log5 (x4y) + log5 z

3. Apply the Product Law to the addition term:

= log5 (x4 zy)
(vi) 2 ln a + 3 ln b - 4 ln c

Solution:

Note: ln represents the natural logarithm (logarithm to base e).

1. Apply the Power Law to all terms:

= ln (a2) + ln (b3) - ln (c4)

2. Combine the addition terms using the Product Law:

= ln (a2b3) - ln (c4)

3. Combine the subtraction term using the Quotient Law:

= ln (a2 b3c4)
Question 3 Expand Expressions
Expand the following using laws of logarithms:
(i) log (115)

Solution:

Apply the Quotient Law:

= log 11 - log 5
(ii) log5 √{8 a6}

Solution:

1. Write the square root as fractional exponent 12:

= log5 (8 a6)1/2

2. Apply the Power Law:

= 12 log5 (8 a6)

3. Apply the Product Law to expand product factors:

= 12 [log5 8 + log5 (a6)]

4. Express 8 as 23, and apply the Power Law to both terms:

= 12 [log5 (23) + 6 log5 a]
= 12 [3 log5 2 + 6 log5 a]

5. Distribute 12 across terms:

= 32 log5 2 + 3 log5 a
(iii) ln (a2 bc)

Solution:

1. Apply the Quotient Law:

= ln (a2b) - ln c

2. Apply the Product Law to expand the first product term:

= ln (a2) + ln b - ln c

3. Apply the Power Law:

= 2 ln a + ln b - ln c
(iv) log (x yz)1/9

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law:

= 19 log (x yz)

2. Apply the Quotient Law:

= 19 [log (x y) - log z]

3. Apply the Product Law to split xy:

= 19 [log x + log y - log z]

4. Distribute the coefficient:

= 19 log x + 19 log y - 19 log z
(v) ln 3√{16 x3}

Solution:

1. Convert the cube root into exponent 13:

= ln (16 x3)1/3

2. Apply the Power Law:

= 13 ln (16 x3)

3. Apply the Product Law:

= 13 [ln 16 + ln (x3)]

4. Express 16 as 24, and apply the Power Law to both terms:

= 13 [ln (24) + 3 ln x]
= 13 [4 ln 2 + 3 ln x]

5. Distribute 13:

= 43 ln 2 + ln x
(vi) log2 (1 - ab)5

Solution:

1. Apply the Power Law:

= 5 log2 (1 - ab)

2. Apply the Quotient Law:

= 5 [log2 (1 - a) - log2 b]

3. Distribute the coefficient:

= 5 log2 (1 - a) - 5 log2 b
Question 4 Logarithmic Equations
Find the value of x in the following equations:
(i) log 2 + log x = 1

Solution:

1. Combine into a single logarithm using the Product Law (base 10):

log (2x) = 1

2. Convert to exponential form (recall that log y = z ⇒ 10z = y):

101 = 2x
2x = 10
x = 5
(ii) log2 x + log2 8 = 5

Solution:

1. Combine into a single logarithm using the Product Law:

log2 (8x) = 5

2. Convert to exponential form:

25 = 8x
32 = 8x
x = 328
x = 4
(iii) (81)x = (243)x + 2

Solution:

1. Express both bases in powers of 3: 81 = 34 and 243 = 35.

(34)x = (35)x + 2

2. Simplify exponents:

34x = 35(x + 2)
34x = 35x + 10

3. Equate exponents:

4x = 5x + 10
4x - 5x = 10
-x = 10
x = -10
(iv) (127)x - 6 = 27

Solution:

1. Express both sides in terms of base 27:

127 = 27-1

2. Substitute back into the equation:

(27-1)x - 6 = 271
27-(x - 6) = 271
27-x + 6 = 271

3. Compare exponents:

-x + 6 = 1
-x = 1 - 6
-x = -5
x = 5
(v) log (5x - 10) = 2

Solution:

1. Convert to exponential form (base 10):

102 = 5x - 10
100 = 5x - 10

2. Solve for x:

100 + 10 = 5x
110 = 5x
x = 1105
x = 22
(vi) log2 (x + 1) - log2 (x - 4) = 2

Solution:

1. Apply the Quotient Law to combine the logarithms:

log2 (x + 1x - 4) = 2

2. Convert to exponential form:

22 = x + 1x - 4
4 = x + 1x - 4

3. Cross multiply and solve:

4(x - 4) = x + 1
4x - 16 = x + 1
4x - x = 1 + 16
3x = 17
x = 173 = 5 23 ≈ 5.67
Question 5 Logarithm Tables
Find the values of the following with the help of logarithm table:
(i) 3.68 × 4.215.234

Solution:

1. Let x = 3.68 × 4.215.234. Take logarithm on both sides:

log x = log (3.68 × 4.215.234)

2. Apply logarithm laws to expand:

log x = log 3.68 + log 4.21 - log 5.234

3. Look up values in log tables:

  • log 3.68 = 0.5658
  • log 4.21 = 0.6243
  • log 5.234 = 0.7188

4. Add and subtract these decimal values:

log x = 0.5658 + 0.6243 - 0.7188
log x = 1.1901 - 0.7188 = 0.4713

5. Take antilogarithm on both sides: x = antilog(0.4713). Since characteristic is 0, lookup mantissa .47 under row 1, difference 3:

value = 2958 + 2 = 2960
x ≈ 2.960
(ii) 4.67 × 2.11 × 2.397

Solution:

1. Let x = 4.67 × 2.11 × 2.397. Take logarithm on both sides:

log x = log 4.67 + log 2.11 + log 2.397

2. Look up log table values:

  • log 4.67 = 0.6693
  • log 2.11 = 0.3243
  • log 2.397 = 0.3796

3. Add values:

log x = 0.6693 + 0.3243 + 0.3796 = 1.3732

4. Take antilog: x = antilog(1.3732). Characteristic = 1, Mantissa = .3732. Lookup row .37, column 3, difference 2:

value = 2360 + 1 = 2361   (rounded to 2362 in textbook)
x ≈ 23.62
(iii) (20.46)2 × (2.4122)754.3

Solution:

1. Let x = (20.46)2 × 2.4122754.3. Round 2.4122 to 2.412. Take logarithm on both sides:

log x = log ((20.46)2 × 2.412754.3)

2. Expand using logarithm laws:

log x = 2 log (20.46) + log (2.412) - log (754.3)

3. Look up table values:

  • log 20.46 = 1.3109
  • log 2.412 = 0.3824
  • log 754.3 = 2.8776

4. Calculate:

log x = 2(1.3109) + 0.3824 - 2.8776
log x = 2.6218 + 0.3824 - 2.8776
log x = 3.0042 - 2.8776 = 0.1266

5. Take antilog: x = antilog(0.1266). Characteristic = 0, Mantissa = .1266. Lookup row .12, column 6, difference 6:

value = 1337 + 2 = 1339
x ≈ 1.339
(iv) 3√{9.364} × 21.643.21

Solution:

1. Let x = 3√{9.364} × 21.643.21. Take logarithm on both sides:

log x = log ((9.364)1/3 × 21.643.21)

2. Expand using laws:

log x = 13 log (9.364) + log (21.64) - log (3.21)

3. Look up log table values:

  • log 9.364 = 0.9715
  • log 21.64 = 1.3353
  • log 3.21 = 0.5065

4. Substitute and compute:

log x = 13(0.9715) + 1.3353 - 0.5065
log x = 0.3238 + 1.3353 - 0.5065
log x = 1.6591 - 0.5065 = 1.1526

5. Take antilog: x = antilog(1.1526). Characteristic = 1, Mantissa = .1526. Lookup row .15, column 2, difference 6:

value = 1419 + 2 = 1421
x ≈ 14.21
Real-World Applications Word Problems
Question 6 (Earthquake Magnitude)
The formula to measure the magnitude of earthquakes is given by:
M = log10 (AA0)
If amplitude (A) is 10,000 and reference amplitude (A0) is 10, what is the magnitude of the earthquake?

Solution:

Given values: A = 10,000 and A0 = 10.

Substitute these values into the formula:

M = log10 (1000010)
M = log10 (1000)

Since 1000 = 103:

M = log10 (103)

Apply the Power Law:

M = 3 log10 10

Since log10 10 = 1:

M = 3(1)
M = 3

Answer: The magnitude of the earthquake is 3 on the Richter scale.

Question 7 (Compound Interest Doubling)
Abdullah invested Rs. 100,000 in a saving scheme and gains interest at the rate of 5% per annum so that the total value of this investment after t years is Rs. y. This is modelled by:
y = 100,000 (1.05)t,   t ≥ 0
Find after how many years the investment will be double.

Solution:

1. Set up the equation: The investment doubles when the value y = Rs. 200,000.

200,000 = 100,000 (1.05)t

2. Divide both sides by 100,000:

200,000100,000 = (1.05)t
2 = (1.05)t

3. Take logarithm on both sides:

log 2 = log (1.05)t

4. Apply the Power Law:

log 2 = t × log 1.05

5. Substitute log table values (log 2 = 0.3010, log 1.05 = 0.0212):

0.3010 = t × 0.0212
t = 0.30100.0212
t ≈ 14.19 years

6. Rounding to the nearest whole year:

t ≈ 14 years

Answer: The investment will double after approximately 14 years.

Question 8 (Hiking Temperature Model)
Huria is hiking up a mountain where the temperature decreases by 3% (or a factor of 0.97) for every 100 metres gained in altitude. The initial temperature at sea level is 20°C. Using the formula:
T = T0 × (0.97)h / 100
calculate the temperature at an altitude of 500 metres.

Solution:

Given values: T0 = 20, h = 500.

1. Substitute values into the formula:

T = 20 × (0.97)500 / 100
T = 20 × (0.97)5

2. Take logarithm on both sides:

log T = log [20 × (0.97)5]

3. Apply logarithm laws:

log T = log 20 + 5 log (0.97)

4. Find logarithms using tables. For log 0.97, characteristic is -1 (or 1) and mantissa is 0.9867:

log 0.97 = 1.9867 = -1 + 0.9867 = -0.0133
log T = 1.3010 + 5(-0.0133)
log T = 1.3010 - 0.0665
log T = 1.2345

5. Take antilogarithm: T = antilog(1.2345). Characteristic = 1, Mantissa = .2345. Lookup row .23, column 4, difference 5:

value = 1714 + 2 = 1716
T ≈ 17.16 °C

Answer: The temperature at an altitude of 500 metres will be approximately 17.16°C.

Interactive Log Laws Sandbox Interactive

Enter a base and a number to calculate the logarithm value logbase(value).

Solve logarithmic equations of the form: logb(ax + c) = d

Test your knowledge of logarithm laws and algebraic properties.

1. What is the simplified value of log2 18 - log2 9?
(a) log2 9
(b) 1   (Correct)
(c) 2
(d) log2 27
Correct Answer: (b) 1
Reason: According to the Quotient Law, log2 18 - log2 9 = log2(18/9) = log2 2 = 1.
2. Which logarithmic law is represented by: logb(mk) = k logb m?
(a) Product Law
(b) Quotient Law
(c) Power Law   (Correct)
(d) Change of Base Law
Correct Answer: (c) Power Law
Reason: The Power Law states that the exponent of the argument within a logarithm can be moved to the front as a multiplier.
3. Solve for x: log2(x + 1) - log2(x - 4) = 2.
(a) x = 4
(b) x = 17/3   (Correct)
(c) x = 5
(d) x = 22
Correct Answer: (b) x = 17/3
Reason: log2((x+1)/(x-4)) = 2 ⇒ (x+1)/(x-4) = 22 = 4 ⇒ x+1 = 4x-16 ⇒ 3x = 17 ⇒ x = 17/3.