Mathematics

Session

Logarithms

Session Objectives

Session Objectives
1. Definition
2. Laws of logarithms

3. System of logarithms
4. Characteristic and mantissa
5. How to find log using log tables

6. How to find antilog

7. Applications

Logarithms Definition
Base: Any postive real number
other than one

loga N x
Log of N
to the
base a is x

loga N x

ax N

Note: log of negatives and

Example : log2 4 2 22 4 zero are not Defined in Reals

Illustrative Example
The number log27 is
(a) Integer

(b) Rational

(c) Irrational

(d) Prime

Solution:
Log27 is an Irrational number
Why
?

As there is no
rational number,
2 to the power
of which gives 7

Fundamental laws of logarithms

1) logb xy logb x logb y
Let logb x A, logb y B
bA x , bB y
xy bAbB bA B

logb xy A B logb x logb y hence proved

Extension logb xyz logb x logb y logb z
2) logb

x
logb x logb y
y

3) logb xy y logb x

Other laws of logarithms

4) logb 1 0 as b0 1
5) logb b 1 as b1 b

loga x
6) logb x
loga b

Change
of base

Where a is any other base

7) blogb x x
log x
Let blogb x y logb b b logb y

logb xlogb b logb y logb x logb y

yx
y
8) logbz x logb x
z
y

Illustrative Example

Simplify log 2 2

2
3

Solution:

log 2 2

2
3

2
log 2 2
3

23
2

log 2
3

2 3
. log 2 log 2
3 2

Illustrative Example

log3 7

log7 3

Solution :
3

log3 7

log3 7

log3 7
log3 7

1
log3 7

log3 7

Hence True

log7 3

True / False ?

Illustrative Example
If ax = b, by = c, cz = a, then the
value of xyz is
a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 3

Solution:

ax b xloga logb
x

logb
log a

Similarly

log c
log a
y
, z
logb
log c

Hence xyz 1

Illustrative Example
Find log tan 0.25
Solution:

log tan 0.25 log tan
4

log 1 0

Illustrative Example
1 1 1

log2.5
...
3 32 33

0.16

Pr ove that

Solution:
1 1 1

log2.5

...
3 32 33

0.16

1/3
log2.5
1 1 / 3

0.16

1/3
log2.5
2 /3

0.16
4

10
10

4

1
log10
2
4

1
log10
2
4

0.4

10

4

1

2

1
2log2.5
2

1
log10
2
4

0.4

1
log2.5
2

Illustrative Example
If log32, log3(2x-5) and log3(2x-7/2)
are in arithmetic progression, then
find the value of x
Solution:
2log3(2x-5) = log32 + log3(2x-7/2)
log3(2x-5)2 = log32.(2x-7/2)

Why

(2x-5)2 = 2.(2x-7/2)
22x -12.2x + 32 = 0, put 2x = y, we get

y2- 12y + 32 = 0 (y-4)(y-8) = 0 y = 4 or 8

2x=4 or 8 x = 2 or 3

Illustrative Example
If a2+4b2 = 12ab, then prove that
log(a+2b) is equal to
1
loga logb 4log2

2
Solution:

a2+4b2 = 12ab (a+2b)2 = 16ab

2log(a+2b) = log 16 + log a + log b
2log(a+2b) = 4log 2 + log a + log b
log(a+2b) = (4log 2 + log a + log b)

System of logarithms
Common logarithm: Base = 10
Log10x, also known as Briggs
system
Note: if base is not given base is
taken as 10
Natural logarithm: Base = e
Logex, also denoted as lnx

Where e is an irrational number given by

e 1

1 1
1

....
....
1! 2!
n!

Illustrative Example

elnln7 7 True / False ?

Solution:

elnln7 ln7 as aloga b b

Hence False

Characteristic and
Mantissa
Standard form of decimal

n m 10p where 1 m 10
Example 1234.56 1.23456 103
0.001234 1.234 103

Hence log n log m 10p log m log 10p

log n log m plog 10 log m p

p is characteristic of n log(n)=mantissa+characteristic
log(m) is mantissa of n

How to find log(n) using log

tables
1) Step1: Standard form of decimal

n = m x 10p , 1 m < 10
log n p log m

Note to find log(n) we have to

find the mantissa of n i.e. log(m)
2) Step2: Significant digits
Identify 4 digits from left, starting from first non
zero digit of m, inserting zeros at the end if
required, let it be abcd

How to find log(n) using log

tables
Example

n = m x 10p,

p: characteristic, log(m): mantissa

n

Std. form
m x 10p

abcd

1234.56

1.23456x103

1.2345

1234

0.000123

1.23x10-4

-4

1.23

1230

100

1x102

1000

0.10023

1.0023x10-1

-1

1.0023

1002

Log(n) = p + log(m)

How to find log(n) using log tables

3) Step3: Select row ab
Select row ab from the
logarithmic table
4) Step4: Select column c
Locate number at column c
from the row ab, let it be x
5) Step5: Select column of mean difference d
If d 0,Locate number at column d
of mean difference from the row
What if d = 0?
ab, let it be y
Consider y = 0

How to find log(n) using log tables

6) Step6: Finding mantissa hence
log(n)

Log(m) = .(x+y)
Log(n) = p + Log(m)
Summarize:

Never neglect 0s
at end or front

1) Std. Form n = m x 10p

2) Significant digits of m: abcd

3) Find number at (ab,c), say x, where ab: row, c: col

4) Find number at (ab,d), say y, where d: mean diff
5) log(n) = p + .(x+y)

Illustrative Example
Find log(1234.56)
n

Std. form
m x 10p

abcd

1234.5
6

1.23456x1
03

1.2345

1234

1) Std. Form n = 1.23456 x 103

2) Significant digits of m: 1234

3) Number at (12,3) = 0899

4) Number at (12,4) = 14

Note this

5) log(n) = 3 + .(0899+14) = 3 + 0.0913 = 3.0913

Illustrative Example
Find log(0.000123)
n

Std. form
m x 10p

abcd

0.0001
23

1.23x10-4

-4

1.23

1230

1) Std. Form n = 1.23 x 10-4

2) Significant digits of m: 1230

3) Number at (12,3) = 0899

4) As d = 0, y = 0 Note this

To avoid
the
calculations

4.0899

5) log(n) = -4 + .(0899+0) = -4 + 0.0899 = -3.9101

Illustrative Example
Find log(100)
n

Std. form
m x 10p

abcd

100

1x102

1000

1) Std. Form n = 1 x 102

2) Significant digits of m: 1000

3) Number at (10,0) = 0000

4) As d = 0, y = 0
5) log(n) = 2 + .(0000+0) = 2 + 0.0000 = 2

Illustrative Example
Find log(0.10023)
n

Std. form
m x 10p

abcd

0.1002
3

1.0023x10

-1

1.0023

1002

-1

1) Std. Form n = 1.0023 x 10-1

2) Significant digits of m: 1002

3) Number at (10,0) = 0000

4) Number at (10,2) = 9

To avoid
the
calculations

1.0009

5) log(n) = -1 + .(0000+9) = -1 + 0.0009 = -0.9991

How to find Antilog(n)

(1) Step1: Standard form of number
If n 0, say n = m.abcd
If n < 0, convert it into bar
notation say n m.abcd
For eg. If n = -1.2718 = -1 0.2718
For bar notation subtract 1, add 1 we get
n = -1-0.2718=-2+1-0.2718
n = -2+0.7282
2.7282

Now n = m.abcd or n m.abcd

How to find Antilog(n)

2) Step2: Select row ab
Select the row ab from
the antilog table
Eg. n = -1.2718 2.7282
Select row 72 from table
3) Step3: Select column c of ab
Select the column c of
row ab from the antilog
table, locate the number
there, let it be x
Eg. n 2.7282

Number at col 8 of row

72 is 5346, x = 5346

How to find Antilog(n)

4) Step4: Select col. d of mean diff.

Select the col d of mean

difference of the row ab
from the antilog table, let
the number there be y, If
d = 0, take y as 0
Eg. n 2.7282
Number at col 2 of mean
diff. of row 72 is 2, y = 2

How to find Antilog(n)

5) Step5: Antilog(n)
If n = m.abcd i.e. n 0

Antilog(n) = .(x+y) x 10m+1

If n m.abcd i.e. n < 0
Antilog(n) = .(x+y) x 10-(m-1)
Eg. n 2.7282

x = 5346

y=2

Antilog(n) = .(5346 + 2) x 10-(2-1)

= .5348 x 10-1 = 0.05348

Illustrative Example
Find Antilog(3.0913)
Solution:

1) Std. Form n = 3.0913 = m.abcd

2) Row 09
3) Number at (09,1) = 1233
4) Number at (09,3) = 1
5) Antilog(3.0913)
= .(1233+1) x 103+1
= 0.1234 x 104
= 1234

Illustrative Example
Find Antilog(-3.9101)
Solution:

1) Std. Form n = -3.9101

n = -3 0.9101 = -4 + 1 0.9101
n = -4 + 0.0899 4.0899 m.abcd
2) Row 08
3) Number at (08,9) = 1227
4) Number at (08,9) = 3
5) Antilog(-3.9101) Antilog 4.0899

= .(1277+3) x 10-(4-1)
= 0.1280 x 10-3
= 0.0001280

Illustrative Example
Find Antilog (2)
Solution:

1) Std. Form n = 2 = 2.0000

2) Row 00
3) Number at (00,0) = 1000

4) As d = 0, y = 0
5) Antilog(2) = Antilog(2.0000)
= .(1000+0) x 102+1
= 0.1000 x 103
= 100

Illustrative Example
Find Antilog(-0.9991)
Solution:

1) Std. Form n = -0.9991

-0.9991 = -1 + 1 0.9991
= -1 + 0.0009 1.0009
2) Row 00
3) Number at (00,0) = 1000
4) Number at (00,9) = 2

5) Antilog(-0.9991) Antilog 1.0009

= .(1000+2) x 10-(1-1)
= 0.1002

Applications
1) Use in Numerical Calculations
2) Calculation of Compound Interest
r

A P 1
100

Now take log

3) Calculation of Population Growth

pn po 1
100

Now take log

4) Calculation of Depreciation
r

v t vo 1
100

Now take log

Illustrative Example
Find

563.4 3 0.4573
6.15 3

Solution:

let x

563.4 3 0.4573

log x log

6.15

563.4 3 0.4573

6.15
log 563.4 0.4573 log 6.15

1
log 563.4 log 0.4573 3log 6.15
3

Solution Cont.
1
log 563.4 log 0.4573 3log 6.15
3

1
log 5.634 10 log 4.573 10 1 3log 6.15
3
1
1
log 5.634 2 log 4.573 3log 6.15
3
3
1
1
.7508 2 0.6602 3 0.7889 = 0.2708
3
3
2

x = antilog (0.2708) = 0.1865 101

= 1.865

Illustrative Example
Find the compound interest on Rs.
20,000 for 6 years at 10% per
annum compounded annually.

Solution:
n

r
10

As A P 1
20000 1

100
100
= 20000 (1.1)6

logA = log [20000 (1.1)6]

= log 20000 + log (1.1)6
= log (2 104) + 6 log (1.1)
= log2 + 4 + 6 log (1.1) = 0.301+ 4 + 6 (0.0414)
= 4.5494

Solution Cont.
log A = 4.5494

A = antilog (4.5494)
= 0.3543 105
= 35430

Compound interest = 35430 20000 = 15,430

Illustrative Example
The population of the city is 80000. If the
population increases annually at the rate
of 7.5%, find the population of the city
after 2 years.
n
r

Solution: As pn po 1
100
2
7.5

p2 80000 1
100
= 80000 (1.075)2
log p2 = log 80000 + 2 log 1.075

= log 8 + 4 + 2 log (1.075)

= 0.9031 + 4 + 2 (0.0314)
= 4.9659

Solution Cont.

log p2 = 4.9659
p2 = antilog (4.9659)
= 0.9245 105

= 92450

Illustrative Example
The value of a washing machine
depreciates at the rate of 2% per annum.
If its present value is Rs6250, what will be
its value after 3 years.
t
r

Solution: As v v 1
t
o
100
2

v 2 6250 1
100

= 6250 (0.98)3
log v2 = log 6250 + 3 log 0.98
= log (6.250 103) + 3 log (9.8 101)
= log 6.250 + 3 + 3 log (9.8) 3
= 0.7959 + 3 (0.9912)

Solution Cont.

log v2 = 0.7959 + 3 (0.9912)

= 3.7695

v2 = antilog (3.7695)
= 0.5882 104
= Rs. 5882

Class Exercise

Class Exercise - 1
Find log2

1728

Solution :
log2 3 1728 x

1728 2 .3
2 3 2 3
2 3

x6

2.
6

Class Exercise - 2
If a2 + b2 = 7ab, prove that

1
log a b log3 loga logb
2
Solution :
a2 + b2 = 7ab

a2 + b2 + 2ab = 9ab
(a + b)2 = 9ab
a b ab 21
a b 3 ab

3
taking log both sides we get
a b

log
log
3

ab

1
2

1
loga logb
2

1
log a b log3 logab
2

Class Exercise - 3
log x log36 log64

Find x, y if
log5 log6
log y
Solution :

log x log36 log62 2log6

2
log5 log6
log6
log6
logx = 2 log5 = log52 = log25
Similarly x = 25
1
log64
1
2 log y log64 log64 2 log8
log y
2

y=8

Class Exercise - 4
If log10 x 2 log100 y 1 find y if x = 2.
Solution :
log10 x 2 log100 y 1

log10 x 2

log10 y
log10 y
1 log10 x 2
1
log10 100
2
1
2

1

log10 x log10 y 1 log10 x 2 log10 y 1
2

1
2

log10

x2
y

1
4

x2
y

1
4

10

x2
16
4
y
10
625
10
4

Class Exercise - 5

b
1
2

Simplify

5logb x

and 7

3
4

2log7 8

Solution :
(i)

b
1
2

34
(ii) 7

5logb x

1
2log7 8 2

3
1 2
log7 8 2

5
log x
2 b

5
logb x 2

5
2

8

1
2

3
log7 81/ 2
2

3
2

3
4

Class Exercise - 6
Simplify logx 4 log 2 16 log 3 64 12
x

and x = 2k then k is

(a) 0.25

(b) 0.5

(c) 1

(d) 2

Solution :
logx 4 log 2 16 log 3 64 12
x

log 4 log16 log 64

12
2
3
log x log x
log x
1
2

1
3

log 4 log16
log64

12
log x
log x
log x
3 log 4
3
12 log x
log 4
log x
12

log 4 log16 log 64

12
log x 2log x 3 log x
log 4 log 4 log 4

12
log x log x log x

Class Exercise 7 (i)

(i) If x, y, z > 0, such that
log x log y log z

, evaluate xx yy zz.
yz zx xy
Solution :
log x log y log z

yz zx xy

say

log x y z , log y z x , log z x y

x log x xy xz

y log y yz xy

zlogz zx yz

x logx + y logy + z logz xy xz yz xy zx yz 0

log x x log y y logzz 0

log x x .y y .zz 0

xx.yy.zz = 1

Class Exercise 7 (ii)

(ii) If a, b, c > 0, such that

a b c a
loga

b c a b
logb

c a b c
logc

then prove that ab ba = bc cb = ca ac

Solution :

a b c a
loga

b c a b
logb

c a b c
logc

say

loga a b c a , logb b c a b , logc c a b c

bloga alogb ab b c a ab c a b
ab b c a c a b 2abc

Solution Cont.
bloga alogb 2abc

Similarly c logb blogc 2abc and

alogc c loga 2abc

Hence b loga + a logb = c logb + b logc= a logc + c loga

logab.ba = logbc cb = logca ac

ab ba bc cb c aac

Class Exercise - 8
Find characteristic, mantissa and log of
each of the following
(i) 67.77

(ii) .0087

Solution :

(i) 67.77 = 6.777 101

Characteristic = 1 Mantissa = log (6.777)
= 0.(8306+5)

= 0.8311
log 67.77 = 1 + 0.8311 = 1.8311

Solution Cont.
(ii) 0.087 = 8.7 103
Characteristic = 3
Mantissa = log (8.7) = 0.(9395 + 0)
= 0.9395

log (0.008) = -3 + 0.9395 = 3.9395

Class Exercise 9
Find the antilogarithm of each
of the following
(i) 4.5851

(ii) 0.7214

Solution
(i) Antilog(4.5851)
= .(3846 + 1) 105
= 38470
(ii) Antilog(0.7214) = Antilog(1 + 1 0.7214)

Antilog(1 + 0.2786) = Antilog 1.2786 = .(1897 + 3) 100

= 0.19

Class Exercise - 10
If a sum of money amounts to Rs.
100900 in 31 years at 25% per annum
compound interest, find the sum.
Solution
r

A P 1
100

25

100900 P 1
100
P

100900

1.25

31

P 1.25

31

logP = log(100900) 31log (1.25)

31

= log (1.009 105) 31log (1.25)

= log (1.009) + 5 31 log (1.25)

Solution Cont.
= 0.0037 + 5 31 (0.0969)
= 5.0037 3.0039
= 1.9998

log P = 1.9998
P = Antilog (1.9998)
= 0.9995 102
= 99.95

Thank you