How to compare logarithms with different bases. Basic properties of logarithms. What to do with logarithms

• Kolmogorov A.N., Abramov A.M., Dudnitsyn Yu.P. and others. Algebra and the beginnings of analysis: Textbook for grades 10 - 11 of general education institutions.
• Gusev V.A., Mordkovich A.G. Mathematics (a manual for those entering technical schools).

As you know, when multiplying expressions with powers, their exponents always add up (a b *a c = a b+c). This mathematical law was derived by Archimedes, and later, in the 8th century, the mathematician Virasen created a table of integer exponents. It was they who served for the further discovery of logarithms. Examples of using this function can be found almost everywhere where you need to simplify cumbersome multiplication by simple addition. If you spend 10 minutes reading this article, we will explain to you what logarithms are and how to work with them. In simple and accessible language.

Definition in mathematics

A logarithm is an expression of the following form: log a b=c, that is, the logarithm of any non-negative number (that is, any positive) “b” to its base “a” is considered to be the power “c” to which the base “a” must be raised in order to ultimately get the value "b". Let's analyze the logarithm using examples, let's say there is an expression log 2 8. How to find the answer? It’s very simple, you need to find a power such that from 2 to the required power you get 8. After doing some calculations in your head, we get the number 3! And that’s true, because 2 to the power of 3 gives the answer as 8.

Types of logarithms

For many pupils and students, this topic seems complicated and incomprehensible, but in fact logarithms are not so scary, the main thing is to understand their general meaning and remember their properties and some rules. There are three separate types of logarithmic expressions:

1. Natural logarithm ln a, where the base is the Euler number (e = 2.7).
2. Decimal a, where the base is 10.
3. Logarithm of any number b to base a>1.

Each of them is solved in a standard way, including simplification, reduction and subsequent reduction to a single logarithm using logarithmic theorems. To obtain the correct values ​​of logarithms, you should remember their properties and the sequence of actions when solving them.

Rules and some restrictions

In mathematics, there are several rules-constraints that are accepted as an axiom, that is, they are not subject to discussion and are the truth. For example, it is impossible to divide numbers by zero, and it is also impossible to extract the even root of negative numbers. Logarithms also have their own rules, following which you can easily learn to work even with long and capacious logarithmic expressions:

• The base “a” must always be greater than zero, and not equal to 1, otherwise the expression will lose its meaning, because “1” and “0” to any degree are always equal to their values;
• if a > 0, then a b >0, it turns out that “c” must also be greater than zero.

How to solve logarithms?

For example, the task is given to find the answer to the equation 10 x = 100. This is very easy, you need to choose a power by raising the number ten to which we get 100. This, of course, is 10 2 = 100.

Now let's represent this expression in logarithmic form. We get log 10 100 = 2. When solving logarithms, all actions practically converge to find the power to which it is necessary to enter the base of the logarithm in order to obtain a given number.

To accurately determine the value of an unknown degree, you need to learn how to work with a table of degrees. It looks like this:

As you can see, some exponents can be guessed intuitively if you have a technical mind and knowledge of the multiplication table. However, for larger values ​​you will need a power table. It can be used even by those who know nothing at all about complex mathematical topics. The left column contains numbers (base a), the top row of numbers is the value of the power c to which the number a is raised. At the intersection, the cells contain the number values ​​that are the answer (a c =b). Let's take, for example, the very first cell with the number 10 and square it, we get the value 100, which is indicated at the intersection of our two cells. Everything is so simple and easy that even the most true humanist will understand!

Equations and inequalities

It turns out that under certain conditions the exponent is the logarithm. Therefore, any mathematical numerical expressions can be written as a logarithmic equality. For example, 3 4 =81 can be written as the base 3 logarithm of 81 equal to four (log 3 81 = 4). For negative powers the rules are the same: 2 -5 = 1/32 we write it as a logarithm, we get log 2 (1/32) = -5. One of the most fascinating sections of mathematics is the topic of “logarithms”. We will look at examples and solutions of equations below, immediately after studying their properties. Now let's look at what inequalities look like and how to distinguish them from equations.

The following expression is given: log 2 (x-1) > 3 - it is a logarithmic inequality, since the unknown value “x” is under the logarithmic sign. And also in the expression two quantities are compared: the logarithm of the desired number to base two is greater than the number three.

The most important difference between logarithmic equations and inequalities is that equations with logarithms (for example, the logarithm 2 x = √9) imply one or more specific numerical values ​​in the answer, while when solving an inequality, both the range of acceptable values ​​​​and the points are determined breaking this function. As a consequence, the answer is not a simple set of individual numbers, as in the answer to an equation, but a continuous series or set of numbers.

Basic theorems about logarithms

When solving primitive tasks of finding the values ​​of the logarithm, its properties may not be known. However, when it comes to logarithmic equations or inequalities, first of all, it is necessary to clearly understand and apply in practice all the basic properties of logarithms. We will look at examples of equations later; let's first look at each property in more detail.

1. The main identity looks like this: a logaB =B. It applies only when a is greater than 0, not equal to one, and B is greater than zero.
2. The logarithm of the product can be represented in the following formula: log d (s 1 * s 2) = log d s 1 + log d s 2. In this case, the mandatory condition is: d, s 1 and s 2 > 0; a≠1. You can give a proof for this logarithmic formula, with examples and solution. Let log a s 1 = f 1 and log a s 2 = f 2, then a f1 = s 1, a f2 = s 2. We obtain that s 1 * s 2 = a f1 *a f2 = a f1+f2 (properties of degrees ), and then by definition: log a (s 1 * s 2) = f 1 + f 2 = log a s1 + log a s 2, which is what needed to be proven.
3. The logarithm of the quotient looks like this: log a (s 1/ s 2) = log a s 1 - log a s 2.
4. The theorem in the form of a formula takes the following form: log a q b n = n/q log a b.

This formula is called the “property of the degree of logarithm.” It resembles the properties of ordinary degrees, and it is not surprising, because all mathematics is based on natural postulates. Let's look at the proof.

Let log a b = t, it turns out a t =b. If we raise both parts to the power m: a tn = b n ;

but since a tn = (a q) nt/q = b n, therefore log a q b n = (n*t)/t, then log a q b n = n/q log a b. The theorem has been proven.

Examples of problems and inequalities

The most common types of problems on logarithms are examples of equations and inequalities. They are found in almost all problem books, and are also a required part of mathematics exams. To enter a university or pass entrance examinations in mathematics, you need to know how to correctly solve such tasks.

Unfortunately, there is no single plan or scheme for solving and determining the unknown value of the logarithm, but certain rules can be applied to each mathematical inequality or logarithmic equation. First of all, you should find out whether the expression can be simplified or reduced to a general form. You can simplify long logarithmic expressions if you use their properties correctly. Let's get to know them quickly.

When solving logarithmic equations, we must determine what type of logarithm we have: an example expression may contain a natural logarithm or a decimal one.

Here are examples ln100, ln1026. Their solution boils down to the fact that they need to determine the power to which the base 10 will be equal to 100 and 1026, respectively. To solve natural logarithms, you need to apply logarithmic identities or their properties. Let's look at examples of solving logarithmic problems of various types.

How to Use Logarithm Formulas: With Examples and Solutions

So, let's look at examples of using the basic theorems about logarithms.

1. The property of the logarithm of a product can be used in tasks where it is necessary to decompose a large value of the number b into simpler factors. For example, log 2 4 + log 2 128 = log 2 (4*128) = log 2 512. The answer is 9.
2. log 4 8 = log 2 2 2 3 = 3/2 log 2 2 = 1.5 - as you can see, using the fourth property of the logarithm power, we managed to solve a seemingly complex and unsolvable expression. You just need to factor the base and then take the exponent values ​​out of the sign of the logarithm.

Assignments from the Unified State Exam

Logarithms are often found in entrance exams, especially many logarithmic problems in the Unified State Exam (state exam for all school graduates). Typically, these tasks are present not only in part A (the easiest test part of the exam), but also in part C (the most complex and voluminous tasks). The exam requires accurate and perfect knowledge of the topic “Natural logarithms”.

Examples and solutions to problems are taken from the official versions of the Unified State Exam. Let's see how such tasks are solved.

Given log 2 (2x-1) = 4. Solution:
let's rewrite the expression, simplifying it a little log 2 (2x-1) = 2 2, by the definition of the logarithm we get that 2x-1 = 2 4, therefore 2x = 17; x = 8.5.

• It is best to reduce all logarithms to the same base so that the solution is not cumbersome and confusing.
• All expressions under the logarithm sign are indicated as positive, therefore, when the exponent of an expression that is under the logarithm sign and as its base is taken out as a multiplier, the expression remaining under the logarithm must be positive.

Comparing the values ​​of logarithms or the value of a logarithm with a certain number occurs in school problem solving practice not only as an independent task. You have to compare logarithms, for example, when solving equations and inequalities. The materials of the article (problems and their solutions) are arranged according to the principle “from simple to complex” and can be used to prepare and conduct a lesson (lessons) on this topic, as well as in elective classes. The number of tasks considered in a lesson depends on the level of the class and its specialized area. In advanced mathematics classes, this material can be used for a two-hour lecture lesson.

1. (Orally.) Which of the functions are increasing and which are decreasing:

Comment. This exercise is a preparatory exercise.

2. (Orally.)Compare with zero:

Comment. When solving exercise No. 2, you can use both the properties of the logarithmic function using the graph of the logarithmic function, and the following useful property:

if positive numbers a and b lie on the number line to the right of 1 or to the left of 1 (that is, a>1 and b>1 or 0 0 ;
if positive numbers a and b lie on the number line on opposite sides of 1 (that is, 0 .