LOGARITHM PROBLEMS

About the topic logarithm problems

Logarithm problems play a major role quantitative aptitude test. There is no competitive exam without the questions from this topic. We have already learned this topic in our lower classes.Even though we have been already taught this topic in our lower classes, we need to learn some more short cuts which are being used to solve the problems in the above topic.

The only thing we have to do is, we need to apply the appropriate short cut and solve the problems in a limited time. This limited time will be one minute or less than one minute in most of the competitive exams.

PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHM

(I) log_amn = log_am + log_an

(II) log_a(m/n) = log_am - log_an

(III)log_amⁿ = nlog_am

(IV) log_aa = 1

(V) log_a1 = 0 (The value of "log 1" to any base is 0)

(VI)log_ba X log_ab = 1

(VII) log_ba X log_cb = log_ca

CHANGE OF BASE

In some problems of logarithm, we may have to use log table in order to get the value of the given logarithm. For example, if want to know the value of log₁₀3, we have to use log table.

When we use the log table, we have to remember that the base of "logarithm" must be "10". Because, log table gives values for logarithm only if its base is "10".

Some times, we may have to find value of a "logarithm" whose base is not "10". In that case, we will use the concept "Change of Base".

Let's look at, how the base of a given logarithm can be changed to 10.

log_ba = log₁₀a/log₁₀b

For example, if we want to find the value of log₃2, it has to be found as given below.

log₃2 = log₁₀2/log₁₀3 = 0.3010/0.4771 = 0.6309

POINTS TO REMEMBER

(A) If base is understood, base is taken as 10. That is, if base is not given, base can be considered as 10.

(B) Thus log 10 = 1, log1 = 0.

(C) Logarithm using base 10 is called common logarithm and logarithm using base "e" is called natural logarithm [e = 2.33(approximately) called exponential number]

RELATION BETWEEN INDICES AND LOGARITHM

If log_am = x, then m = a^x

log₁₀2 = 0.3010 ---> 2 = 10^0.3010

Why do students have to study this topic?

Students who are preparing to improve their aptitude skills and those who are preparing for this type of competitive test must prepare this topic in order to have better score. Because, today there is no competitive exam without questions from the logarithm problems. Whether a person is going to write placement exam to get placed or a students is going to write a competitive exam in order to get admission in university, they must be prepared to solve logarithm problems. This is the reason for why people must study this topic.

Benefit of studying this topic

As we mentioned in the above paragraph, a person who wants to get placed in a company and a students who wants to get admission in university for higher studies must write competitive exams like placement test and entrance exam. To meet the above requirement, it is very important to score more marks in the above mentioned competitive exams. To score more marks, they have to prepare this topic. Preparing this topic would definitely improve their marks in the above exams. Preparing this topic is not difficult task. We are just going to remember the stuff that we have already learned in our lower classes

How can students do logarithm problems?

Students have to learn few basic operations in this topic and some additional tricks. Already we are much clear with the four basic operations which we often use in math. They are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Even though we are much clear with these four basic operations, we have to be knowing some more stuff to do the problems which are being asked from this topic in competitive exams. The stuff which I have mentioned above is nothing but the tricks and shortcuts which need to solve the problems in a very short time.

Shortcuts we use to solve the problems

Short cut is nothing but the easiest way to solve problems related to this topic. In competitive exams, we will have very limited time to solve each problem. Then only we will be able to attend all the questions. If we do problems in competitive exams in perfect manner with all the steps, it will definitely take much time and we may not able to attend the other questions. So we need some other way in which the problems can be solved in a very short time. The way we need to solve the problem quickly is called as shortcut.

Here, we are going to have some logarithm problems. You can check your answer online and see step by step solution.

1. Find the logarithm of 64 to the base 2√2 jQuery UI Accordion - Default functionality

64 = 2⁶ = 2⁴⁺² = 2⁴x2² = 2⁴x[(√2)²]²

64 = = 2⁴x(√2)⁴ = (2√2)⁴

So, 64 = (2√2)⁴

log_2√264 = log_2√2(2√2)⁴

log_2√264 = 4log_2√2(2√2)

log_2√264 = 4(1)

log_2√264 = 4

Hence, the value of log 64 to the base 2 √2 is 4

2. If log_abc = x, log_bca = y and log_cab = z, then, the value of

1/(x+1) + 1/(y+1) + 1/(z+1) is jQuery UI Accordion - Default functionality

x + 1 = log_abc + log_aa = log_aabc

y + 1 = log_bca + log_bc = log_babc

z + 1 = log_cab + log_cc = log_cabc

1/(x+1) = 1/log_aabc = log_abca

1/(y+1) = 1/log_babc = log_abcb

1/(z+1) = 1/log_cabc = log_abcc

1/(x+1)+1/(y+1)+1/(z+1) = log_abca + log_abcb + log_abcc

1/(x+1)+1/(y+1)+1/(z+1) = log_abcabc

1/(x+1)+1/(y+1)+1/(z+1) = 1

3. If a = log₂₄12, b = ₂₄36 and c = log₄₈36, then the value of 1+abc is jQuery UI Accordion - Default functionality

1 + abc = 1 + log₂₄12xlog₃₆24xlog₄₈36

1 + abc = 1 + log₃₆12xlog₄₈36

1 + abc = 1 + log₄₈12

1 + abc = log₄₈48 + log₄₈12

1 + abc = log₄₈(48x12)

1 + abc = log₄₈(2x12)²

1 + abc = 2log₄₈24

1 + abc = 2log₃₆24xlog₄₈36

1 + abc = 2bc

4. The value of log 0.0001 to the base 0.1 is