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This module provides practice problems which develop concepts related to properties of logarithms.

Memorize these three rules of logarithms.

  • log x ( ab ) = log x a + log x b
  • log x ( a b ) = log x a - log x b
  • log x ( a b ) = b log x a

In class, we demonstrated the first and third rules above. For instance, for the first rule:

log 2 8 = log 2 ( 2 × 2 × 2 ) = 3

log 2 16 = log 2 ( 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 ) = 4

log 2 ( 8 × 16 ) = log 2 [ ( 2 × 2 × 2 ) ( 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 ) ] = 7

This demonstrates that when you multiply two numbers, their logs add .

Now, you come up with a similar demonstration of the second rule of logs, that shows why when you divide two numbers, their logs subtract .

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Now we’re going to practice applying those three rules. Take my word for these two facts . (You don’t have to memorize them, but you will be using them for this homework.)

  • log 5 8 = 1.29
  • log 5 60 = 2.54

Now, use those facts to answer the following questions.

log 5 480 =

480 = 8 × 60 . So this is log 5 ( 8 × 60 ) . Which rule above helps you rewrite this?
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How can you use your calculator to test your answer to #2? (I’m assuming here that you can’t find log 5 480 on your calculator, but you can do exponents.) Run the test—did it work?

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log 5 2 15 size 12{ left ( { {2} over {"15"} } right )} {} =

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log 5 15 2 size 12{ left ( { {"15"} over {2} } right )} {} =

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Simplify, using the log ( x y ) property:

log a ( x x x x )

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Simplify, using the log log x y size 12{ left ( { {x} over {y} } right )} {} property:

log a 1 x size 12{ left ( { {1} over {x} } right )} {}

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log a x 1 size 12{ left ( { {x} over {1} } right )} {}

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log a x x size 12{ left ( { {x} over {x} } right )} {}

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Simplify, using the log ( x ) b property:

  • Draw a graph of y = log 1 2 x . Plot at least 5 points to draw the graph.
  • What are the domain and range of the graph? What does that tell you about this function?
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Source:  OpenStax, Advanced algebra ii: activities and homework. OpenStax CNX. Sep 15, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10686/1.5
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