Ea f Ya f fa 11in9

Solve
off a 109!
lo9 0 x ::.: 3109 0 2

lo9ax :::. lo9a 5-+

better note
all tJ,.,if in my 109 book.

Contents
15:01 Logarithms 15:04 Simple exponential equations
Investigation 15:01 Logarithmic scales Fun spot 15:04 What do you call lumberjack music?
15:02 Logarithmic and exponential graphs Investigation 15:04 Solving harder exponential
15:03 Laws of logarithms equations by 'guess and check'
Investigation 15:03 Logarithmic scales and the Challenge 15:04 Further exponential equations
history of calculating Maths terms, Diagnostic test, Assignments
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syllabus references (See pages x-xv for details.)
Number and Algebra
Logarithms [Stage 5 .3 #]
• Use the definition of a logarithm to establish and apply the laws of logarithms (ACMNA265)
• Solve simple exponential equations (ACMNA270)

Working Mathematically
• Com1nunicating • Problem Solving • Reasoning • Understanding • Fluency
•

PREP OUIZ 15:01

Evaluate:
2
1 8
Solve the following:
4 64 == 8x 5 64 == 4x

Write as powers of2:

7 4 8 8 9 .12 10 )2

In the Prep quiz, we saw that:

• the same number could be expressed as a power of a clifferent nu1nber or base
2 3 6
64 == 8 64 == 4 64 == 2
• different numbers could be expressed as powers of the same nt1mber or base.
4 == 2 2
8 == 2 3
!
== 2-
1

Numbers in index form are expressed as powers (indices) of another nu1nber (base).

Logarithms are indices. More specifically:

The logarithm of a number to any base is the index when the

number is expressed as a power of the base. If J' == ax then loga y == x.

2
If 64 == 8 , then log8 64 == 2.
3
If 64 == 4 , then log4 64 == 3.
6
Also if log2 64 == 6, then 2 == 64.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1
Evaluate:
a log4 16 b log2 1

Solution
a To evaluate an expression such as c If log 9 ( ] 7 ) == x, then
log4 16, we need to ask this question: x _ 1
9 - 27
'4 raised to what power will equal 16?' Solving: 2
3 x == 3-3
2
If 4 == 16, then log4 16 == 2. X
_ _ ]_
- 2
x
b If log2 1 == x, then 2 == 1. :. == -i
If 2° == 1, then log2 1 == 0.

15 Logarithms
WORKED EXAMPLE 2
Solve the following logarithmic equations.
a log27 3 = x b log4 x = -2

Solution
a Iflog27 3 = x b Iflog4 x = -2 C Iflogx8 = 1·5
-2 15
then 27x = 3 t h en 4 = x then x · =8
3x = 1 .• • x -- 1 l_ 3
3 3 16 x2 = 2
1
3x = 1 x = 2
2

. .. x = 1
3 :. x = 4

Write each of these in logarithmic form.

3 2 1 6
a 8=2 b 16=4 c 7= 7 d 64 = 2
4 4 5
e 3 = 81 f 4 = 256 g 2 = 32 h 3° = 1
2
1 - 2-1
.
I 2 - k JS= l 9 = 27 3
3 3 5
m 25 2 = 125 0 16 4 = 8 p 8-3 =

lfl Rewrite each of these in index form.

a log2 4 = 2 b log3 9 = 2 c log5 1=0 d log4 4 = 1
e log10 1000 = 3 f log3 27 = 3 g log2 16 = 4 h log4 16 = 2
i log7 243 = 3 j log5 625 = 4 k log2 128 = 7 l log6 6 = 1
m log2 -J2 = ! i)
n log3 ( = -1 o log2 (%) = -2 p log4 8 =

El Evaluate the following.

a log3 9 b log2 8 c log5 25 d log7 1
e log3 3 f log2 32 g log4 64 h log8 64
i log6 216 j log10 1 k log10 10000 l log3 81
m log4 2 n log9 3 o log2 (!) p log4 8
B Solve for x.
a log2 16 = x b log3 27 = x c log5 625 = x d log7 49 = x
e log4 1 = x f log9 3 = x g log6 6 = x h log10 ffe = x
i log9 (i) = x j log2 (%) = x k log8 4 = x l log 16 64 = x
m log2 (0·5) = x n log5 (0·04) = x o log8 ,J2 = x p log 100 1000 = x

El Find x.
a log2 x = 5 b log3 x = 3 c log2 x = 7 d log5 x = 0
e log7 x=2 f log6 x = 3 g log3 x = -1 h log4 x =
.1 1og x = 3
9 2 j log4 x = -2 k log2 x = -3 l log8 x = -i
m log25 x = 1·5 n log10 x=-1 o log5 x = -! p log16X =

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

D Solve the following.
a logx 16 = 4 b logx 9 = 2 C logx5 = 1 d 1ogx81 = 4
e logx 125 = 3 f logx 100 = 2 g 1ogx8 = 3 h logx 729 = 6
• •
I 1ogx J5 = J logx (i) = -1 k 1ogx2 = -1 L 1ogx8 =

m logx3=1 n logx4 = o logx 4=13 p logx27 =

INVESTIGATION 15:01 LOGARITHMIC SCALES

In most measurement situations, the measuring scales are linear. In some situations, however,
a linear scale would produce a large range of measurements. To overcome this, scales based on
indices are used. These are called logarithmic scales.

1 Electromagnetic spectrum
X-rays Visible light Microwaves Power
-
Gamma UV Infra-red Radio

I I I I
-I I I I I I I
1o - 14 1o - 12 1o - 10 10- 8 1o - 6 10- 4 10- 2 1 10 2
10 4
10 6

Wavelength (metres)

The diagram above shows the variation in wavelength for different types of electromagnetic
radiation. A logarithmic scale is used for wavelength.
a Copy the scale and mark approximately the position on the scale of the numbers:
i 1000 ii 10 iii 0·1 iv 0·000005
b The scale is 1narked with equally spaced markings, but the difference in value between
markings is not equal. What is the clifference in value of:
2 4 6 2
i 1 and 10 ii 10 and 10 iii 10- and 1 ?
ThiS' iS' enov9h
c Where would zero be in relation to the numbers on this scale?
to S'hake yov!
d What is the range in wavelength of:
i radio waves ii visible light?

2 Richter scale
Another example of a logarith1nic scale is the Richter scale,
which measures the magnitude of earthquakes. In this question,
we will assume that it is the same as the scale in the last question,
in that every unit is ten times bigger than the unit before it.
The scale is shown below.
a How many times bigger is: Reading of 5 Reading of 6
i a reading of 6 than a reading of 5
ii a reading of 7 than a reading of 5?
b Where would a reading of 5·5 be on
the scale?
c How many times bigger is a reading of 5·5 than a reading of 5?

3 pH scale
The concentration of an acid is measured by its pH. (See Assign1nent 7B Question 6.)

15 Logarithms
• •

To draw the graph of an exponential function such as y = 2x, w e can plot the points in the
following table of values.
y
x -2 -1 0 -21 1 112 2
y -1 -1 1 1·4 2 2·8 4 4
4 2
+
3
I
I

All exponential graphs I

I
- 2 - -- -
cut the y-axis at 1. I
I

J t '

-2 -1 0 1 2 x
1.fl. l.11.t1.

To draw the graph of a logarithmic function such as y = log2 x , we can use the fact that this is
equivalent to x = 2Y. (The x- and y-values have changed places from y = 2x).
)I
x -1 -1 1 1·4 2 2·8 4
4 2 y-= log x
2 2
y -2 -1 0 -21 1 112 2
1

A logarithmic graph 0 4 x
cuts the x-axis at 1.
-1

-2

Now we have seen that y = logax is the same as x = aY. y

Interchanging the x and y in x = aY produces its inverse
x
function, y = ax. y =a /
/
/
/
/
/
/

y = logax and y = ax (for a > 0) are inverse functions /

/

,,"/ y = log ax
and hence their graphs are reflections of each other /
/
/

/
/

in the line y = x . /
/
/

/
/
/
/
/
/

/
/
/
x
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

D Copy and complete these tables of values and then draw their graphs on the same number
plane. (Approximate to one decimal place when necessary.)
a y == 3x b y == log3 x, (x == 3Y)
x -2 -1 0 -21 1 112 2 x

y y -2 -1 0 -21 1 112 2

ll a Using the fact that y == log2 x and x == 2Y are equivalent functions, complete the table of
values below and use it to construct a graph of y == log2 x (correct to two decimal places).
y == log2 x
x
1 -1 11 21
y -3 -212 -2 -112 -1 --
2
0 2
1 2
2 2
3

b From your graph, estimate correct to one decimal place, the value of
i log2 3 ii log2 5 iii log2 1·5 iv log2 0·8
IJ The graphing of y == log10 x is aided by the use of the log key on your calculator.
a Complete the table of values below using your calculator (correct to two decimal places).
y == log10X
x 0·2 0·4 0·6 0·8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

b Using your table of values, draw a graph of y == log10 x like the one below. Use scales si11i_ilar
to those shown for each axis.
y J
1
\ g "\ <Jy;,
.,..-o
..-

.... .. .... ..

-
0 2 3 4 5 6
•
7 8 9 10 x
+ +

I t t t
'
'
;
. I I

r
I
' ' ' '

! !
i I i i

-0·:5
I

" I I I
;
, __
- - - - !-

I
' '
i I i '

I
' I

r
I
', ,_
I I
-
-1
- ! - -- L I I _j
- -
'-- - ·- - -

- - L !-
I

'
j I - j
-
'' '

' . +-- -
! I
,_ ;_ ·-- - -
·- - - -
I

I
- - ,_
1-·- -
'
--· 1-

,_
- - ' ·- i I - i
I

- .i I
'
I 'I
'

! '

. --
- --i -- ,_ -- - .-

c Using your graph, find approximate solutions for the following equations.
i log10 x==0·7 ii log10 x==0·25 iii log 10 x==-0·5

15 Logarithms
On the same number plane, sketch the graphs of the following, showing their relative positions.
a y = log2 x b y = log3 x c y = log 5 x

PREP OUIZ 15:03

Complete:
3
1 If 8 = 2 then log2 8 = .. . 2 If m = 2x then log2 m = .. .
3 If m = ax then loga m = .. . 4 If n = aY then loga n = .. .
5 If p -- ax+ y t h en 1ogap -- ...
Simplify:
6 ax X aY 7 ax + aY 8 (ax)m
. 1 . . d £".
9 Write - 1n 1n ex 1orm.
x
10 Since 3 °= 1 then log3 1 = ...

Logarithms are indices, so the index laws can be used to deduce the logarithm laws.

Proof: d
L et x =a an y =a
1n n
(logax = m and logay = n)
1n n
xy =a X a
m+n
=a
:. logaxy = m + n
= logax + logan

x
log - = logax - logay
y

Proof Let x =am and y =an (logax = m and logay = n)

X rrt n
- =a +a
Y =am-n I'd better
x note all tt,i> Ot
loga = m- 11 •
If) my
y
109 book.

Proof Let x =am (logax = m)

= (am)p
=amp
:. = mp
= plogax

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

The following logarithms can be deduced from the four index equations:

0 1 x x -1 1
a = 1 a =a a =a x =-
x

1
loga 1=0 logaa = 1 loga - = -logax
x

WORKED EXAMPLE 1 Expandin9 tvrns-

The two main logarithm laws can be used to expand or contract one term into
expressions involving logarithms. Both processes are well illustrated two.
in the following examples.
Simplify:
a log10 25 + log10 4 b log3 54 - log3 18
4 d loga x3
C 5 logaa - logaa
Contraction

Solutions logxy = logx + logy

Expansion
a log10 25 + log10 4 = log10 (25 x 4) b log3 54 - log3 18 = log3
= log10 100 = log3 3
=2 =1
3 3
4 d loga x = loga x
C 5logaa - logaa = 5logaa - 4logaa
log a log a x 1
= logaa
=1 3loga x
= ---
! loga. x
=6

WORKED EXAMPLE 2
If loga3 = 1 ·4 and loga4 = 1 ·6, evaluate:
a loga12 b loga(1 !) d loga2

Solutions
a loga12 = loga3 + loga4 b loga(1 !) = loga (4)
=1·4+1·6 = loga4 - loga3
= 3·0 =1·6-1·4
== 0·2
2
C loga 9 = loga3 1
d loga2 = loga 4 ?
= 2 loga3
= 2 x 1·4
= loga4 !
= ! x 1·6
= 2·8
= 0·8

15 Logarithms
WORKED EXAMPLE 3
Solve:
a log 10 2x + log10 5 = 3

Solutions
a log 10 2x + log10 5 = 3 b log5 x-log5 (x-1) = 1
log10 (2x X 5) = 3 x
log5 = 1
log10 10x = 3 x-1
3
10x = 10 x
--=5
= 1000 x-1
:. x = 100 x = 5x- 5
4x= 5
•.• x = 2
4

WORKED EXAMPLE 4
Use the logarithm laws:
2
x
a to expand loga b to contract logax + logay - 2loga z .
y

Solutions
2
x 2 2
a loga = logax - logay b loga x + logay - 2 logaz = loga xy - loga z
y = 2logax - logay xy
= loga 2
z

Evaluate:
a log6 9 + log6 4 b log5 20 - log5 4 c log2 48 - log2 3
d log10 2 + log10 5 e loga4 + loga(i) f log5 1000 - log5 8
g log2 18 - 2 log2 3 h 2 log 10 5 + log10 40 i log3 24 - 3 log3 2
j log 10 125 - log 10 4 + log 10 32 k 3 log2 4 + log2 81 - log2 18
lfl Ifloga2 = 0·301 and loga3 = 0·477, evaluate:
a loga6 b loga 1·5 C loga9 d loga0·5
e loga,JJ f loga18 g loga8 h loga24
i loga 36 j loga ( k loga(t) l logaJfi

EJ Iflogx3 = 1·5, logx5 = 1 ·8 and logx 10 = 3·0, evaluate:

a logx 15 b logx 2 c logx 9 d logx
e logx 150 f logx250 g logx45 h logx(!)
i logx 1OOO j logx 6 k logx 1-·-§- - - - - - - - -

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

Simplify:
2
a loga (a ) b loga Sa - loga5
5
d loga(x )
e loga + loga y
loga x y x

Use the logarithm laws to expand the following expressions.

x
a loga xy b loga C loga 2
z z "-'
(x + 1)
xy f x(a + b)
1ogy 2
y+1 y
D Use the logarithm laws to contract the following expressions.
!
b 2logax - logay + loga z
d loga(x + 1) - logax + loga(x + 2)
f 2logax + logay - 3

II Find a relationship between x and y that does not involve logarithms.

a logax + logay = loga (x + y) b 2logax + loga5 = logay
c 2log2 x + log2 y = 3 d log5 x = 3 + log5 y
e loga (1 + x) - loga (1 - x) = logay f logay = loga5 + 7logax

D Solve the following equations for x.

a logax = loga5 + loga2 b logax = loga 10 - loga5
c logax = 3loga2 + loga4 d !
logax = loga9 - loga2
e loga2 + logax = loga8 f loga10 - logax = loga5
g logax + loga3 = loga (x + 1) h loga(4x) - loga3 = loga(x + 4)

IJ Find values for x if:

a log10 2+log10 x=2 b log2 x - log2 3 = 3
c log10 x = log10 8 d log10 x+3=4log10 x
log 10 2
e log10 x - log10 (x - 1) = 1 f log 10 x = log10 5 - log10 2 - 1
g log2 x+log2 (x+ 1) = 1 h log3 2x + log3 (x - 1) = 1

INVESTIGATION 15:03 LOGARITHMIC SCALES AND THE HISTORY OF

CALCULATING
The use of electronic calculators to do mathematical calculations only became widespread in
Australia during the late 1970s. Prior to then, many calculations were done using logarithm tables.
Another common calculating device was a slide-rule. This consisted of a pair of ......

logarithmic scales: one fixed and the other sliding.

1 Investigate the use of logarithms as a calculating tool.

See if you can find a set of logarithm tables and find
out how they were used.

2 Investigate the use of a slide-rule and try to

construct one yourself using logarithmic
graph paper.

15 Logarithms
• •

'. 0)
... PREP OUIZ 15:04
..:-::---

Write as powers of 2:
1 4 2 8 3 .12
5 Write 125 as a power of 5. 6 Write 243 as a power of 3.
. 1 3
7 Write J2 as a power of 2. 8 Is 4- 2 = -§-?

3 3 5
9 If x = 4 , what is x? 10 If 2x = 2 , find x.

In an exponential equation the pronumeral is involved in the 'exponent' or 'power'.

x x -1
e.g.2 · =16or5 =125

For simple equations of this type, both sides of the equation are written as powers of the same
number or base and then a comparison of powers is used to find the solution.

WORKED EXAMPLES
Find the pronumeral in each of the following.
1 2x = 32 2 2
3 x -l = 27
Each side of the equation must be
2 x= 2 s 32x - 1 = 33
written with the same base; then the
.·. x = 5 2x - 1 =3 indices must be equal.
:. x = 2
3 4x = 8 4 2x -1 = t Power your
(22) x = 2 3 x -1 = -2 way ttirov9ti
2 2
2x = 2 3 one!
2 x- 1 = -2
2x= 3 :. x = -1
:. x 1 !
To solve simple exponential equations, rewrite each side of
the equation with the same base, and then equate the indices.

D Solve these equations.

a 2x = 16 b 2x = 128
e 4x = 64 f 5x = 5

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

i 3x = 243 j 4x = 256 k 10x = 10000 l 9x = 729
m 8x = 4096 n 11x = 1331 0 7x = 16807 p 6x = 1296

Find x.
a 4x = 2 b 9x = 3 c 16x = 2 d 25x = 5
e 27x = 3 f 32x = 2 g 16x = 4 h 100x = 10
I 2x -2
-1 3x -1 k 4x -4
-1 l 2x -4
-1
• •
J -9
5x _ 1 n 3x = 27
1 4x -2
-1 p 9x -1
m - 2s 0 - 3

EJ Evaluate the pronumeral.

a 9x = 27 b 4x = 32 C 8x = 4 d 27x = 81
e 25x = 125 f 1000x = 100 g 128x = 64 h 32x = 8
· 8x 1
I = 16 j 4x =-§- k 27x = t l 16x = t
m (l)x = 8 n (i)x =9 0 (t)x = 27 p (O·Ol)x = 1000
Solve:
2
a 2x- = 8 b 1
3 - x = 27 2
C 2 x = 32
d 4 2 x- l = 64 e 4x-1 =J2 f (J3)x =81
g 2 2- x = J8 3 2 i 82- x = 4
h 5 x - = 125
1 2 3 3
j 9 + x = 243 k 8 x = 32 l 100 x- l = 100000

m 4x +1= 1 n 82x- 1=4J8 0 32- x =_l_

8J2 3J3

9 3x-5 = J3
p 27
5 4 2x - 1 = ( x t)
WHAT DO YOU CALL LUMBERJACK MUSIC?
Answer each question and write the letter for that question in the box above the correct answer.

Solve for x:
T 4x = 64 M 2x = t 0 8x = 4
H log3 x = 2 E logx 16 = 4 S log5 625 = x
Simplify:
1
G logaa R loga -
a
Evaluate:
H log4 24 - log4 3
G log10 2000 + log10 500

Solve for n:
R 311 + s = 9

0 2 6 1 2 -3 -1 3 5 3 9 -2 4
3 2

15 Logarithms
INVESTIGATION 15:04 SOLVING HARDER EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS BY
'GUESS AND CHECK'
Equations like 3x = 5 are more difficult than those in the previous exercise because the solution
is obviously not an integer or simple fraction.

Later in this chapter, we will use logarithms to find the exact solution, but an approximate
solution can be found by the 'guess and check' method.

Example
Find an approximate solution for 3x = 5.
1 2
Now 3 = 3 and 3 = 9.

As 5 is between 3 and 9, x must be between 1 and 2.

15
• x = 1·5 gives 3 · = 5·196 ... (too big)
14
• x = 1 ·4 gives3 · = 4·655 ... (too sni_all)
.·. x must be between 1 ·4 and 1·5.
1 45
• x = 1 ·45 gives 3 · = 4·918 ... (too small)
:. x must be between 1·45 and 1·5.

Repeating this procedure gives the solution:

x = 1 ·47 (2 dee. pl.)

Exercises WJ,,yis- 3x + 2 bi99er tJ,,an

5 and S"maller t/,,an 6?
Use the 'guess and check' method to solve:
0
1 5x = 500 2 3x = 1690 0

3 2
3 7 x + = 19187
Hint: If 3x + 2 > 5 and 3x + 2 < 6, then x > 1 and x < 1 t.
:. x is between 1 and 1 t.
2 3
4 5 x - = 16 755

FURTHER EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

In Exercise 15:04 the solution of exponential equations of the form ax = b was investigated.

In all cases, b could be written as a power of a, and a co1nparison of the indices then allowed
x to be found.

If b could not be written as a power of a, then we had to resort to the 'guess and check' method
as outlined in Investigation 15:04.

Now, using the theory of logarithms, a quicker method can be found to solve these equations.
The method outlined below makes use of the log key on your calculator. This key gives the
logarithm of a number to the base 10.

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

Examples
Solve the following:
2 3x + 2 = 7
1 5x = 12

Solutions
The first step is to take logs of both sides, to base 10.

2 2
3x + = 7
1 Sx = 12
log10 5x = log 10 12 log10 3x + 2 = log10 7
x log10 5 = log 10 12 (x + 2) log10 3 = log 10 7
log 10 12 x + 2 = log10 7
x=---
log10 5 log 10 3
Press: log 12 [}] B log 5 EJ x + 2 = 1·77 (2 dee. pl.)
= 1·54 (2 dee. pl.) :. x = -0·23

3 2x = 5x- l
T J-,i> one
x 1
1og10 2 = og10 5 x- 1
is- quite
xlog10 2 = (x - 1)log10 5 tricky!
= x log10 5 - log10 5
xlog10 5 - xlog 10 2 = log 10 5
x (log10 5 - log10 2) = log 10 5
log 10 5
•.• x=------
log 10 5 - log 10 2
:. x= 1·76 (2 dee. pl.)

Exercises
1 Solve x correct to three decimal places.
a 1Ox = 7 00 b 1Ox = 41 ·6 C 10x = 49168
d 2x = 7 e 5x = 100 f 6x = 2

2 Solve for x correct to three decin1al places.

2 3 2x- l = 12
a 10 x- =1500 b 5x +l=8 C
2
d 3 x = 15 2 1
e 9 x - = 900 f 51 - 3 x = 27

3 Deter1nine the value oft correct to three decimal places.

2 8 2 1
a 1000 = 1·8(10 t) b 1 OOO OOO= 100(2°· t) c 6(3 t - ) + 3 = 27
4 Determine the value of x correct to three decimal places.
a 3x = 6x - 1 b 2x = 7x - 3 C 32x = 7x
d 5x + 1 = gx - 1 e 6x + 2 = 10x - 7 f 122x = 9x + 7

15 Logarithms
MATHS TERMS 15
exponent logarithm
• another name for a power or index, •an index
3
e.g. for 2 , the number 3 is an exponent • if y = ax, then logay = x,
5
exponential equation e.g. if 32 = 2 then log2 32 = 5
• an equation where the unknown is part of power
an exponent, • repeated as a factor,
x S
e.g. 2 = or 3 x -1
=7 e.g. 3 to the power of 5 = 3 5

index (indices) =3X3X3X3X3

index
• the raised symbol when
a number is written as 52 x 3

a power base

The nautilus shell is in the shape of a logarithmic spiral.

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

LOGARITHMS
These questions reflect the important skills introduced in this chapter.
Errors made will indicate areas of weakness.
Each weakness should be treated by going back to the section listed.

1 Rewrite each expression in the form x == aY. 15:01

a log2 8 == 3 b log3 9 == 2 c log4 2 ==

2 Rewrite each expression in the form loga x == y. 15:01

5 3
a 2 == 32 b 4 == 64 c 27t == 3

3 Evaluate: 15:01
a log3 3 b log5 25 c log10 1000 d log2 i
4 Find x. 15:03
a log9 81 == x b logx4 == 2 c 1og2 x == 5 d logx 7 == 1
5 Simplify: 15:03
a loga7 + loga3 b loga15 - logaS
c Ioga6 + loga 10 d Ioga20 - loga 4
6 Rewrite in the form nloga3: 15:03
4
a loga3 b loga9

7 Use the logarithm laws to write in expanded form. 15:03

2 x
a loga xy b loga xy

8 Use the logarithm laws to write in contracted form: 15:03

a logax - Iogay - Iogaz
b 2logax + 3logay +
C logax + - 1) - + 1)
9 Solve these equations. 15:04
a 2x == 128 b 2x == t
1 d == 3
c 10 - x == 1OOO 92x - 1

15 Logarithms
ASSIGNMENT 15A hapter review
1 Rewrite each expression in the form x == aY. b y
a log 10 1000 == 3
b log2 0·125 == -3
c log9 27 ==
2 Evaluate: 8 x
a log2 128 b log10 0·001
c log 16 4 d log25 125

3 Solve:
a 5x == 625 b 9x == 35 6 Simplify and evaluate:
c 4x == 8 d 31 -x - 1
- 27 a log3 54 - log3 2
4 If logx 5 == O· 56, find: b log6 18 + log6 2
a logx25 c log5 150 - (log5 2 + log5 3)
c logx 5x d 2 log4 6 - 2 log4 3

5 For each graph give the coordinates of A, 7 Simplify:

2
a log(x - x - 2) - log(x + 1)
Band C.
a y b log x ,J 2
- 4x + 4 - log (x - 2)
8 Find the value of m if:
a loga4m - loga3 == loga(m + 4)
b logam + loga (m - 2) == loga 3
x
9 Find a relationship between x and y,
not involving logarithms.
a logx - logy ==log (x + y)
2
x
b log == log2
)'
c 5logx + 3logy == log2

John Napier was a mathematician

who lived in the 16th century. His
main achievement was the invention
of logarithms, but he also invented
a calculating device that was in use
until the 20th century. The device was
made of rods and the most expensive
examples of these rods were made
of horn or ivory. Hence, they became
known as Napier's bones .

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1-5.3

ASSIGNMENT 158 orkin
1 a If 6 men can do a piece of work in 4 Three views of the same 'unusual' dice are
9 days, in what time will 18 men do it, given. Determine the nuni_ber of spots on
working at the same rate? the face on the bottom of the third cube.
b If 14 men can do a piece of work in
12 days, how many ni_en will be needed •
• • • • •
to do the work in 21 days, working at ••
the same rate?

2 A goods train completes a journey in 5 A man and his granddaughter share

6! hours at an average speed of 42km/h. the same birthday. For six consecutive
What would be the average speed if the birthdays the man's age is an exact multiple
!
train completed the journey in 5 hours? of his granddaughter's age. How old is each
(Answer correct to three significant figures.) of them on the sixth of these birthdays?
(Assume that the grandfather is less than
120 years old.)

..

..
... (_ •

;;=-- - -
.--........_ -

3 A six-pointed star is formed by two

intersecting equilateral triangles. Place the
6 What is the edge length of the largest cube
integers from 1 to 12 in the circles so that
that can fit inside a sphere with a diameter
the sum of the four numbers along any
of 100cm?
side of a triangle, as well as the sum of the
six integers forming the inner hexagon,
is 26. (There is more than one solution to
this problem.)

15 Logarithms