Logarithmic Functions: Detailed Explanation and 100 Examples

Table of Contents

Introduction to Logarithmic Functions

A logarithmic function is the inverse of an exponential function. If ay=x, then the logarithmic form is written as loga(x)=y, which reads as “the logarithm of x to the base a equals y.” Logarithms help us deal with very large or very small numbers by expressing them as exponents.

Key properties of logarithms include:

  • loga(1)=0 for any base a, because a0=1.
  • loga(a)=1, because a1=a.
  • loga(xy)=loga(x)+loga(y).
  • loga(xy)=loga(x)loga(y).
  • loga(xk)=kloga(x).
  • Change of base formula: loga(x)=logb(x)logb(a), where b is any positive base.

Example 1: Evaluate log2(8)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 8 as 23.
log2(8)=log2(23)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log2(8)=3.


Example 2: Solve for x in the equation log3(x)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite the equation in exponential form.
34=x

Step 2: Evaluate 34.
=81

Thus, x=81.


Example 3: Simplify log5(25)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 25 as 52.
log5(25)=log5(52)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log5(25)=2.


Example 4: Use the change of base formula to find log2(10)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the change of base formula.
log2(10)=log10(10)log10(2)

Step 2: Evaluate using a calculator (using log10).
=10.3010

=3.3219

Thus, log2(10)3.322.


Example 5: Simplify log3(9)+log3(3)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 9 as 32 and use log3(9)=2.
log3(9)+log3(3)=2+1

Step 2: Add the values.
=3

Thus, log3(9)+log3(3)=3.


Example 6: Solve 2log5(x)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log5(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
52=x

Step 3: Evaluate 52.
x=25

Thus, x=25.


Example 7: Simplify log4(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 64 as 43.
log4(64)=log4(43)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log4(64)=3.


Example 8: Solve log7(x)+log7(2)=1

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms.
log7(2x)=1

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
71=2x

Step 3: Solve for x.
7=2x
x=72

Thus, x=3.5.


Example 9: Solve log3(x2)=5

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xk)=kloga(x).
2log3(x)=5

Step 2: Divide by 2.
log3(x)=52

Step 3: Rewrite in exponential form.
x=352

Step 4: Evaluate 352.
x=35=24315.588

Thus, x15.588.


Example 10: Simplify log2(16)log2(4)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xy)=loga(x)loga(y).
log2(164)=log2(4)

Step 2: Rewrite 4 as 22.
log2(4)=2

Thus, log2(16)log2(4)=2.


Example 11: Solve for x in the equation log6(36)=x

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 36 as 62.
log6(36)=log6(62)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
x=2

Thus, log6(36)=2.


Example 12: Simplify log5(25)+log5(5)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
log5(25)=2
log5(5)=1

Step 2: Add the values.
=2+1

Thus, log5(25)+log5(5)=3.


Example 13: Use the change of base formula to find log3(7)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the change of base formula.
log3(7)=log10(7)log10(3)

Step 2: Evaluate using a calculator (using log10).
=0.84510.4771

=1.7712

Thus, log3(7)1.771.


Example 14: Solve log4(x)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite the equation in exponential form.
43=x

Step 2: Evaluate 43.
=64

Thus, x=64.


Example 15: Simplify log7(49)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 49 as 72.
log7(49)=log7(72)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log7(49)=2.


Example 16: Solve 2log3(x)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log3(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
x=33

Step 3: Evaluate 33.
x=27

Thus, x=27.


Example 17: Simplify log5(125)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 125 as 53.
log5(125)=log5(53)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log5(125)=3.


Example 18:

Solve log4(x)+log4(2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using the property loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log4(2x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
43=2x

Step 3: Solve for x.
64=2x
x=642
x=32

Thus, x=32.


Example 19:

Simplify log8(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the change of base formula:
log8(64)=log10(64)log10(8)

Step 2: Evaluate using a calculator (using log10).
=1.8060.903

=2

Thus, log8(64)=2.


Example 20:

Solve 3log2(x)=9

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 3.
log2(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
23=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=8

Thus, x=8.


Example 21:

Simplify log4(16)log4(2)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log4(162)=log4(8)

Step 2: Rewrite 8 as 43/2.
log4(8)=32

Thus, log4(16)log4(2)=32.


Example 22:

Solve for x in log6(x2)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xk)=kloga(x).
2log6(x)=4

Step 2: Divide by 2.
log6(x)=2

Step 3: Rewrite in exponential form.
62=x

Step 4: Evaluate 62.
x=36

Thus, x=36.


Example 23:

Simplify log2(32)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 32 as 25.
log2(32)=log2(25)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=5

Thus, log2(32)=5.


Example 24:

Solve log5(x)log5(4)=1

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log5(x4)=1

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
51=x4

Step 3: Solve for x.
5=x4
x=5×4
x=20

Thus, x=20.


Example 25:

Simplify log3(27)+log3(9)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log3(27×9)=log3(243)

Step 2: Rewrite 243 as 35.
log3(243)=5

Thus, log3(27)+log3(9)=5.


Example 26:

Solve for x: 2log4(x)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log4(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
43=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=64

Thus, x=64.


Example 27:

Simplify log6(36)log6(6)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log6(366)=log6(6)

Step 2: Use log6(6)=1.
=1

Thus, log6(36)log6(6)=1.


Example 28:

Solve log9(x)+log9(3)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log9(3x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
92=3x

Step 3: Solve for x.
81=3x
x=813
x=27

Thus, x=27.


Example 29:

Simplify log7(343)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 343 as 73.
log7(343)=log7(73)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log7(343)=3.


Example 30:

Solve for x in the equation log2(x+4)=5

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
25=x+4

Step 2: Evaluate 25.
32=x+4

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=324
x=28

Thus, x=28.


Example 31:

Simplify log3(81)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 81 as 34.
log3(81)=log3(34)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=4

Thus, log3(81)=4.


Example 32:

Solve log5(x)=1

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
51=x

Step 2: Solve for x.
x=15

Thus, x=15.


Example 33:

Simplify log2(16)+log2(4)

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(16×4)=log2(64)

Step 2: Rewrite 64 as 26.
log2(64)=6

Thus, log2(16)+log2(4)=6.


Example 34:

Solve 3log7(x)=9

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 3.
log7(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
73=x

Step 3: Evaluate 73.
x=343

Thus, x=343.


Example 35:

Simplify log4(256)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 256 as 44.
log4(256)=log4(44)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=4

Thus, log4(256)=4.


Example 36:

Solve log3(x+2)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
34=x+2

Step 2: Evaluate 34.
81=x+2

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=812
x=79

Thus, x=79.


Example 37:

Simplify log2(32)log2(8)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(328)=log2(4)

Step 2: Rewrite 4 as 22.
log2(4)=2

Thus, log2(32)log2(8)=2.


Example 38:

Solve 2log3(x)=8

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log3(x)=4

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
34=x

Step 3: Evaluate 34.
x=81

Thus, x=81.


Example 39:

Simplify log4(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the change of base formula:
log4(64)=log10(64)log10(4)

Step 2: Use a calculator to evaluate.
log10(64)=1.806
log10(4)=0.602
1.8060.602=3

Thus, log4(64)=3.


Example 40:

Solve for x in log5(x1)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
52=x1

Step 2: Solve for x.
25=x1
x=25+1
x=26

Thus, x=26.


Example 41:

Simplify log3(81)log3(9)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log3(819)=log3(9)

Step 2: Rewrite 9 as 32.
log3(9)=2

Thus, log3(81)log3(9)=2.


Example 42:

Solve log4(x)+log4(2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log4(2x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
43=2x

Step 3: Solve for x.
64=2x
x=642
x=32

Thus, x=32.


Example 43:

Simplify log7(343)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 343 as 73.
log7(343)=log7(73)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log7(343)=3.


Example 44:

Solve 3log6(x)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 3.
log6(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
62=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=36

Thus, x=36.


Example 45:

Simplify log10(100)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 100 as 102.
log10(100)=log10(102)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log10(100)=2.


Example 46:

Solve log5(x+2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
53=x+2

Step 2: Evaluate 53.
125=x+2

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=1252
x=123

Thus, x=123.


Example 47:

Simplify log2(16)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 16 as 24.
log2(16)=log2(24)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=4

Thus, log2(16)=4.


Example 48:

Solve log8(x)=1

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
81=x

Step 2: Solve for x.
x=8

Thus, x=8.


Example 49:

Simplify log9(81)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 81 as 92.
log9(81)=log9(92)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log9(81)=2.


Example 50:

Solve for x in log3(x1)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
34=x1

Step 2: Evaluate 34.
81=x1

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=81+1
x=82

Thus, x=82.


Example 51:

Simplify log2(32)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 32 as 25.
log2(32)=log2(25)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=5

Thus, log2(32)=5.


Example 52:

Solve log4(x)+log4(4)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log4(4x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
42=4x

Step 3: Solve for x.
16=4x
x=164
x=4

Thus, x=4.


Example 53:

Simplify log3(9)+log3(27)

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log3(9×27)=log3(243)

Step 2: Rewrite 243 as 35.
log3(243)=5

Thus, log3(9)+log3(27)=5.


Example 54:

Solve for x in 4log2(x)=8

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 4.
log2(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
22=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=4

Thus, x=4.


Example 55:

Simplify log7(49)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 49 as 72.
log7(49)=log7(72)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log7(49)=2.


Example 56:

Solve for x: log6(x)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
63=x

Step 2: Solve for x.
x=216

Thus, x=216.


Example 57:

Simplify log5(25)log5(5)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log5(255)=log5(5)

Step 2: Use log5(5)=1.
=1

Thus, log5(25)log5(5)=1.


Example 58:

Solve for x in log4(x2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xk)=kloga(x).
2log4(x)=3

Step 2: Divide by 2.
log4(x)=32

Step 3: Rewrite in exponential form.
x=432

Step 4: Evaluate 432=43=64=8

Thus, x=8.


Example 59:

Simplify log3(81)log3(9)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log3(819)=log3(9)

Step 2: Rewrite 9 as 32.
log3(9)=2

Thus, log3(81)log3(9)=2.


Example 60:

Solve 5log5(x)=10

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 5.
log5(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
52=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=25

Thus, x=25.


Example 61:

Simplify log6(36)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 36 as 62.
log6(36)=log6(62)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log6(36)=2.


Example 62:

Solve for x: log7(x+2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
73=x+2

Step 2: Evaluate 73.
343=x+2

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=3432
x=341

Thus, x=341.


Example 63:

Simplify log5(125)log5(25)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log5(12525)=log5(5)

Step 2: Use log5(5)=1.
=1

Thus, log5(125)log5(25)=1.


Example 64:

Solve 4log3(x)=8

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 4.
log3(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
32=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=9

Thus, x=9.


Example 65:

Simplify log10(1000)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 1000 as 103.
log10(1000)=log10(103)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log10(1000)=3.


Example 66:

Solve log9(x2)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
92=x2

Step 2: Evaluate 92.
81=x2

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=81+2
x=83

Thus, x=83.


Example 67:

Simplify log2(8)+log2(4)

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(8×4)=log2(32)

Step 2: Rewrite 32 as 25.
log2(32)=5

Thus, log2(8)+log2(4)=5.


Example 68:

Solve for x: log5(x2)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xk)=kloga(x).
2log5(x)=6

Step 2: Divide by 2.
log5(x)=3

Step 3: Rewrite in exponential form.
53=x

Step 4: Solve for x.
x=125

Thus, x=125.


Example 69:

Simplify log7(49)+log7(7)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
log7(49)=2
log7(7)=1

Step 2: Add the values.
2+1=3

Thus, log7(49)+log7(7)=3.


Example 70:

Solve 5log4(x)=10

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 5.
log4(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
42=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=16

Thus, x=16.


Example 71:

Simplify log6(36)log6(6)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log6(366)=log6(6)

Step 2: Use log6(6)=1.
=1

Thus, log6(36)log6(6)=1.


Example 72:

Solve log3(x+1)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
34=x+1

Step 2: Evaluate 34.
81=x+1

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=811
x=80

Thus, x=80.


Example 73:

Simplify log2(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 64 as 26.
log2(64)=log2(26)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=6

Thus, log2(64)=6.


Example 74:

Solve 3log4(x)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 3.
log4(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
42=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=16

Thus, x=16.


Example 75:

Simplify log8(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the change of base formula:
log8(64)=log10(64)log10(8)

Step 2: Evaluate using a calculator.
=1.8060.903=2

Thus, log8(64)=2.


Example 76:

Solve for x in log5(x4)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
52=x4

Step 2: Evaluate 52.
25=x4

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=25+4
x=29

Thus, x=29.


Example 77:

Simplify log2(32)+log2(16)

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(32×16)=log2(512)

Step 2: Rewrite 512 as 29.
log2(512)=9

Thus, log2(32)+log2(16)=9.


Example 78:

Solve log4(x)+log4(2)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms.
log4(2x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
43=2x

Step 3: Solve for x.
64=2x
x=642
x=32

Thus, x=32.


Example 79:

Simplify log7(343)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 343 as 73.
log7(343)=log7(73)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log7(343)=3.


Example 80:

Solve log2(x+1)=5

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
25=x+1

Step 2: Evaluate 25.
32=x+1

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=321
x=31

Thus, x=31.


Example 81:

Simplify log10(100)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 100 as 102.
log10(100)=log10(102)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log10(100)=2.


Example 82:

Solve 2log5(x)=6

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log5(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
53=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=125

Thus, x=125.


Example 83:

Simplify log3(81)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 81 as 34.
log3(81)=log3(34)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=4

Thus, log3(81)=4.


Example 84:

Solve for x: log5(x3)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
52=x3

Step 2: Evaluate 52.
25=x3

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=25+3
x=28

Thus, x=28.


Example 85:

Simplify log7(49)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 49 as 72.
log7(49)=log7(72)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=2

Thus, log7(49)=2.


Example 86:

Solve log8(x)+log8(4)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms.
log8(4x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
82=4x

Step 3: Solve for x.
64=4x
x=644
x=16

Thus, x=16.


Example 87:

Simplify log2(64)log2(8)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(648)=log2(8)

Step 2: Rewrite 8 as 23.
log2(8)=3

Thus, log2(64)log2(8)=3.


Example 88:

Solve log5(x)=1

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
51=x

Step 2: Solve for x.
x=5

Thus, x=5.


Example 89:

Simplify log10(1000)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 1000 as 103.
log10(1000)=log10(103)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log10(1000)=3.


Example 90:

Solve for x: 2log4(x)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 2.
log4(x)=2

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
42=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=16

Thus, x=16.


Example 91:

Simplify log6(216)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 216 as 63.
log6(216)=log6(63)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=3

Thus, log6(216)=3.


Example 92:

Solve log3(x+1)=2

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
32=x+1

Step 2: Solve for x.
9=x+1
x=91
x=8

Thus, x=8.


Example 93:

Simplify log2(64)

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite 64 as 26.
log2(64)=log2(26)

Step 2: Use the property loga(ak)=k.
=6

Thus, log2(64)=6.


Example 94:

Solve 3log5(x)=9

Solution:

Step 1: Divide both sides by 3.
log5(x)=3

Step 2: Rewrite in exponential form.
53=x

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=125

Thus, x=125.


Example 95:

Simplify log10(10)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(a)=1.
log10(10)=1

Thus, log10(10)=1.


Example 96:

Solve for x: log2(x3)=5

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
25=x3

Step 2: Solve for x.
32=x3
x=32+3
x=35

Thus, x=35.


Example 97:

Simplify log3(27)+log3(9)

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log3(27×9)=log3(243)

Step 2: Rewrite 243 as 35.
log3(243)=5

Thus, log3(27)+log3(9)=5.


Example 98:

Solve log4(x2)=4

Solution:

Step 1: Use the property loga(xk)=kloga(x).
2log4(x)=4

Step 2: Divide by 2.
log4(x)=2

Step 3: Rewrite in exponential form.
42=x

Step 4: Solve for x.
x=16

Thus, x=16.


Example 99:

Simplify log2(8)+log2(4)

Solution:

Step 1: Combine the logarithms using loga(x)+loga(y)=loga(xy).
log2(8×4)=log2(32)

Step 2: Rewrite 32 as 25.
log2(32)=5

Thus, log2(8)+log2(4)=5.


Example 100:

Solve log6(x+4)=3

Solution:

Step 1: Rewrite in exponential form.
63=x+4

Step 2: Evaluate 63.
216=x+4

Step 3: Solve for x.
x=2164
x=212

Thus, x=212.

adbhutah
adbhutah

adbhutah.com

Articles: 1281