4-4 Properties

4-4 ofLogarithms
Properties of Logarithms

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

HoltMcDougal
Holt Algebra 2Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Warm Up
Simplify.

1. (2 )(2 )
6 8 214 2. (3–2)(35) 33

3. 38 4. 44

5. (73)
5
715
Write in exponential form.

6. logx x = 1 x 1
= x 7. 0 = log 1 x 0
=1
x

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Objectives
Use properties to simplify logarithmic
expressions.
Translate between logarithms in any
base.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

The logarithmic function for pH that you saw in

the previous lessons, pH =–log[H+], can also be
expressed in exponential form, as 10–pH = [H+].

Because logarithms are exponents, you can derive

the properties of logarithms from the properties of
exponents

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Remember that to multiply

powers with the same base,
you add exponents.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

The property in the previous slide can be used in

reverse to write a sum of logarithms (exponents)
as a single logarithm, which can often be
simplified.

Helpful Hint
Think: logj + loga + logm = logjam

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 1: Adding Logarithms

Express log64 + log69 as a single logarithm.

Simplify.

log64 + log69

To add the logarithms, multiply

log6 (4  9)
the numbers.

log6 36 Simplify.

2 Think: 6? = 36.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 1a

Express as a single logarithm. Simplify, if possible.

log5625 + log525

log5 (625 • 25) To add the logarithms, multiply

the numbers.
log5 15,625 Simplify.

6 Think: 5? = 15625
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 1b

Express as a single logarithm. Simplify, if possible.

1
log 1 27 + log 1
3 3 9

1
log 1 (27 • ) To add the logarithms, multiply
3 9
the numbers.
log 1 3 Simplify.
3

1 ?
–1 Think: 3 =3
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Remember that to divide

powers with the same base,
you subtract exponents

Because logarithms are exponents, subtracting

logarithms with the same base is the same as
finding the logarithms of the quotient with that
base.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

The property above can also be used in reverse.

Caution
Just as a5b3 cannot be simplified, logarithms must
have the same base to be simplified.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 2: Subtracting Logarithms

Express log5100 – log54 as a single logarithm.

Simplify, if possible.

log5100 – log54

To subtract the logarithms,

log5(100 ÷ 4)
divide the numbers.

log525 Simplify.

2 ?
Think: 5 = 25.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 2

Express log749 – log77 as a single logarithm.

Simplify, if possible.

log749 – log77

To subtract the logarithms,

log7(49 ÷ 7)
divide the numbers

log77 Simplify.

1 ?
Think: 7 = 7.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Because you can multiply logarithms, you can

also take powers of logarithms.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 3: Simplifying Logarithms with Exponents

Express as a product. Simplify, if possible.

A. log2326 B. log8420

6log232 20log84
Because
Because
25 = 32, 2 40 2
6(5) = 30 20( )= 8 = 4,
3
log232 = 5. 3 3
log84 = 2 .
3

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 3

Express as a product. Simplify, if possibly.

a. log104 b. log5252

4log10 2log525
Because
101 = 10, Because 52
4(1) = 4 2(2) = 4 = 25, log525
log 10 = 1.
= 2.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 3

Express as a product. Simplify, if possibly.

1
c. log2 ( 2
)5

1
5log2 ( 2)
Because
5(–1) = –5 2–1 = 12 ,
log2 1 = –1.
2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Exponential and logarithmic operations undo each

other since they are inverse operations.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 4: Recognizing Inverses

Simplify each expression.

a. log33
11
b. log381 c. 5log 10 5

log3311 log33  3  3  3 5log 10

5

11 log334 10
4

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 4

0.9 log (8x)

a. Simplify log10 b. Simplify 2 2

log 100.9 2log (8x)

2

0.9 8x

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Most calculators calculate logarithms only in base

10 or base e (see Lesson 7-6). You can change a
logarithm in one base to a logarithm in another
base with the following formula.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 5: Changing the Base of a Logarithm

Evaluate log328.

Method 1 Change to base 10

log8
log328 =
log32

0.903
≈ Use a calculator.
1.51

≈ 0.6 Divide.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 5 Continued

Evaluate log328.

Method 2 Change to base 2, because both 32

and 8 are powers of 2.

log328 =
log28 3
= Use a calculator.
log232 5

= 0.6

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 5a

Evaluate log927.

Method 1 Change to base 10.

log27
log927 =
log9

1.431
≈ Use a calculator.
0.954

≈ 1.5 Divide.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 5a Continued

Evaluate log927.

Method 2 Change to base 3, because both 27

and 9 are powers of 3.

log927 =
log327 3
= Use a calculator.
log39 2

= 1.5

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 5b

Evaluate log816.

Method 1 Change to base 10.

log16
Log816 =
log8

1.204
≈ Use a calculator.
0.903

≈ 1.3 Divide.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 5b Continued

Evaluate log816.

Method 2 Change to base 4, because both 16

and 8 are powers of 2.

log816 =
log416 2
=
log48 1.5 Use a calculator.

= 1.3

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms

Logarithmic scales are useful for measuring

quantities that have a very wide range of
values, such as the intensity (loudness) of a
sound or the energy released by an
earthquake.

Helpful Hint
The Richter scale is logarithmic, so an increase of
1 corresponds to a release of 10 times as much
energy.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 6: Geology Application

The tsunami that devastated parts of Asia in

December 2004 was spawned by an
earthquake with magnitude 9.3 How many
times as much energy did this earthquake
release compared to the 6.9-magnitude
earthquake that struck San Francisco in1989?
The Richter magnitude of an
earthquake, M, is related to the
energy released in ergs E given
by the formula.
Substitute 9.3 for M.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 6 Continued

3
Multiply both sides by 2 .

 E  Simplify.
13.95 = log  11.8 
10 

Apply the Quotient Property

of Logarithms.
Apply the Inverse Properties of
Logarithms and Exponents.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 6 Continued

Given the definition of a logarithm,

the logarithm is the exponent.

Use a calculator to evaluate.

The magnitude of the tsunami was 5.6  1025 ergs.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 6 Continued

Substitute 6.9 for M.

3
Multiply both sides by 2 .

Simplify.

Apply the Quotient Property

of Logarithms.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Example 6 Continued

Apply the Inverse Properties of Logarithms

and Exponents.

Given the definition of a logarithm,

the logarithm is the exponent.

Use a calculator to evaluate.

The magnitude of the San Francisco earthquake
22
was 1.4  10 ergs.
5.6  1025
The tsunami released 22
= 4000 times as
1.4  10
much energy as the earthquake in San Francisco.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 6

How many times as much energy is released

by an earthquake with magnitude of 9.2 by an
earthquake with a magnitude of 8?

Substitute 9.2 for M.

3
Multiply both sides by 2 .

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 6 Continued

Apply the Quotient Property

of Logarithms.

Apply the Inverse Properties of

Logarithms and Exponents.

Given the definition of a logarithm,

the logarithm is the exponent.

Use a calculator to evaluate.

The magnitude of the earthquake is 4.0  1025 ergs.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 6 Continued

Substitute 8.0 for M.

3
Multiply both sides by 2 .

Simplify.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 6 Continued

Apply the Quotient Property

of Logarithms.

Apply the Inverse Properties

of Logarithms and Exponents.

Given the definition of a

logarithm, the logarithm is the
exponent.

Use a calculator to evaluate.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Check It Out! Example 6 Continued

The magnitude of the second earthquake was

23
6.3  10 ergs.

The earthquake with a magnitude 9.2 released

4.0  1025
was 23 ≈ 63 times greater.
6.3  10

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Lesson Quiz: Part I
Express each as a single logarithm.

1. log69 + log624 log6216 = 3

2. log3108 – log34 log327 = 3

Simplify.
3. log2810,000 30,000
4. log 4x –1 x–1
4

5. 10log125 125
6. log 128 7
64
6
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
4-4 Properties of Logarithms
Lesson Quiz: Part II
Use a calculator to find each logarithm to
the nearest thousandth.
7. log320 2.727

8. log 1 10 –3.322
2

9. How many times as much energy is released by

a magnitude-8.5 earthquake as a magntitude-
6.5 earthquake?
1000

Holt McDougal Algebra 2