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 = log_b r
b^N = r ( By definition of logarithm)
Taking log to the base a on both sides, we get
∴ N log_a 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) 2^x = 3
Solution : 2^x = 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 + 10^x = 1008
Solution :
8 + 10^x = 1008
10^x = 1008 - 8
10^x = 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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