Logarithms change of base

In this section ask-math explains you the logarithms change of base formula.
Any calculator gives us the value of logarithm either base 10 or base 'e'. But if the common and natural logarithm has base other than 10 or 'e' then we use logarithms change of base formula.
Change of base : Let us now learn how to convert from base 'b' to any other base 'a' by proving that for any positive real numbers 'r' and 'b', b ≠ 1.
Proof : Let N = logb r
bN = r ( By definition of logarithm)
Taking log to the base a on both sides, we get
∴ N loga b = log ar







Note that we can use any base in place of a.

Examples on logarithms change of base

Example 1 : Find log 93 .
Solution: Consider the common base as 3.
log 93 = (log 33)/(log 39)
           = (log 33) / (log 3(3)2)
           = (log 33) / 2 log 3 3
           = 1/2.

Example 2 : Given log 216 = 4. Find log 162 .
Solution:

Here we have , b = 16, r = 2 and a = 2
log 162 = (log 22)/(log 216)
           = (log 22) / (log 2(2)4)
           = (log 22) / 4 log 2 2
           = 1/4.

Solve each equation using logarithms. Round to the nearest ten-thousandth.
1) 2x = 3
Solution : 2x = 3
log 23 = x
log 23 = (log 3)/(log 2) (consider the base as 10, if not mentioned)
           = 0.4771 / 0.3010 (using calculator)
        ∴ x = 1.5850

2) 8 + 10x = 1008
Solution :
8 + 10x = 1008
10x = 1008 - 8
10x = 1000
log 101000 = x
log 101000 = (log 1000)/(log 10)
           = (log 103)/(log 10)
           = 3 log 10/ log 10
        ∴ x = 3

Use the change of base formula to evaluate each.
1) log 2 9 = log 9/ log 2 = 0.9542/0.3010 = 3.17
2) log 4 8 = log 8/ log 4 = 0.9031/0.6021 = 1.499 = 1.5
3) log 3 50 = log 50/ log 3 = 1.6989/.4771 = 3.5608
4) log 4.6 12.5 = log 12.5/ log 4.6 = 1.0969/0.6627 = 1.655

11th grade math

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