STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

CHAPTER 2: STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

1.0

INTRODUCTION

Understanding index and logarithms is important because it is used widely in research,

science, finance and engineering. For example, it can be used to show how substances are
formed, multiply and decay in the natural world.
Index Expressions

Figure 1.1 shows our planet Earth orbiting the Sun. The distance between the Earth and the
Sun is about 93 million kilometers. You can write this number as 93,000,000 km.

Figure 1.1: Distance between Earth and Sun

This number is obviously long to write and hard to read. You can also write this number as
9.3 x 107km. Numbers written this way is called indices. Usually only numbers that are too
small and too big are stated in index form. Referring to the number 9.3 x 10 7, the number 10
is called the base and the number 7 is called the index.

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

1012 = 10 x 10 10 .
12 times
base
index

In general, an means a multiplied by itself n times.

An index expression is in simple form if there is:
No repeating base
No negative index
For example
x2y5 x 4 , a2 b 6 and

p3

can be simplified as
x6y5,

a2
p9
6 and
b

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Activity 1.0

TRY THESE QUESTIONS!

1. Rewrite these numbers in index form:
i.
ii.

a. 2000000
c. 0.00082

b. 138000000000
d. 0.000000015

2. The rate of reproduction of a particular insect is about 1430000000 a month. Write this in
index.
3. First, express 400 kilometers in centimeters. Next, state this in index.

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

FEEDBACK for Activity 1.0

1.

a. 2 x 106
a. c. 8.2 x 10-4

2.

1.43 x 109

3.

b. 1.38 x 1011
d. 1.5 x 10-8

40 000 000 cm, 4 x 107 cm

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

1.1

BA101/CHAPTER2

INDEX RULE
There will be times when you need to add, subtract, multiply or divide two or more index
numbers. The rules provided in Table 1.1 are most useful. Study it carefully.
Given that a, b, m and n are real numbers.
Rule

Statements

1. Multiplication

am x an = a m + n

2. Division

am an = a m - n

3. Power

i. ( a m ) n = a mn
ii. (ab)n = an b n
n

an
a
iii. n ; b 0
b
b

4. Negative Index

i. a n =

a m b n
; a 0 and b 0

b n a m

ii.
5. Zero Index

6. Fraction Index

1
;a0
an

a0 = 1

; a0

a n n am
Table 1.1: Rules of Index Operations

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Example 1.1
Simplify the following expressions.
a.
34 x 35
c.
(48 )3
e.

b.

85 82
d.
( 25 ) -3

70

f.

27

2
3

SOLUTION:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Expressions
34 x 35
85 82
( 48 )3
(

25

-3

a0 = 1

70
27

Index Rule Used

am x an = a m + n
am an = a m - n
i. ( a m ) n = a mn
i.
( a m ) n = a mn
1
ii. a n = n ; a 0
a

2
3

m
n

a
n

Solutions
34 + 5 = 3 9
85 2 = 8 3
424
( 2 5 ) -3 = 2 -15
1
2 15 = 15
2

; a0

1
2
3

27 3 27 2 9

Example 1.2
A sum of RM10,000 is saved in a bank at 8% interest compounded monthly. The total sum J

0.08
after t years is given as, J = 100001

12

a.

6 months

12t

. What is the total sum after

b.

5 years

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

SOLUTION

a.

6 months = 0.5 year. Therefore t = 0.5.

0.08
J = 100001

12

b.

t = 5.

0.08

J = 100001
12

= 10406.73

12( 5 )

=14898.46

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Activity 1.1

TEST YOURSELF BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SECTION..!

1

Simplify
a.
c.

2.

a5 x a 6
z 2 y5 x y 2

Simplify
a. m 12 m 3
c. z 7 x z 6 z 5

Simplify
a. ( x 3 ) 5
c. ( 2x2 y 3 z )5
e. 3 ( ab 2 ) 4

b.
d.

b.

3 x 3 8 x 3-4
4n x 16 2n x 32 2n x 8 -n

2 8 24
d. 25 n 5 2n x 125 2n

b. ( 3x 4) 2
d. ( 10 3 ) 4
f. ( 2m 2 ) ( 4n )3

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Feedback for Activity 1.1

4.

5.

6.

a. a11
c. z2 y 3

b. 35

a. m 9
c. z 8

b. 24

a. x 15
c. 32 x 10 y 15 z 5

b. 9x 8

3
e.
4 8
a b

d. 2 3n

d. 5 10n

d. 1012

m2
f.
32n 3

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

1.2

BA101/CHAPTER2

LOGARITHMIC EXPRESSIONS

In this section, you will learn about the relationship between indices and logarithms. Lets
now consider the reproduction rate of amoeba, a single cell living organism that reproduces
by replicating itself. If one new amoeba needs one day to replicate itself into 2 amoebas,
there will be 4 amoebas after 2 days, 8 amoebas after 3 days, and so on.
Time in days(x)
Number of amoeba (y)

0
1

1
2

2
4

3
8

4
16

5
32

6
64

7
128

The index equation y = 2x can be used to represent the rate of reproduction of this amoeba.
Conversely, this equation can also be written as x = log2 y , a logarithmic equation.

log2 y is read as log of

y to the base 2
log is a short form of logarithm

10

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

Index Form

BA101/CHAPTER2

Logarithmic Form
index

y = ax

x = log a y

base

Note:
Observe that the base is still the same after changing index form to logarithmic form.
Generally, if a is a positive number and y = a x, then x is equals to the logarithm of y to
the base a.

If y = a x , then x = log a y
If x = log a y , then y = a x
Equation 1.1
Example 1.3
Rewrite the following numbers in logarithmic form, (base given).
a. 100 base10
b. 64 base 4
c. 64 base 2
d. 125 base 5
e. 81 base 3
Sample solutions
a. If 100 = 10 2, then 2 = log 10 100
b. If 64 = 4 3, then 3 = log 4 64
c. If 64 = 2 6, then 6 = ?

11

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

d. If 125 = 5 3, then ? = log 5 125

e. If 81 = 3 4, then 4 = log ? 81

Example 1.4
Determine these values:
a. log 7 49
b. log 2 0.5

c. log 9 3

d. log 10 0.001

Solution:
a. Assuming
then
therefore

b. Assuming
then
therefore

c. Assuming
then

therefore

d. Assuming
then

therefore

12

log 7 49 = x
49 = 7x
72 = 7 x
x = 2

log 2 0.5 = x
0.5 = 2 x
0.5 = = 2 1 = 2 x
x = -1

log 9 3 = x
3 = 9x
3 = ( 3 2 )x
31 = 32x
1 = 2x
= x or x = 0.5

log 10 0.001 = x
0.001 = 10 x

1
1
3 10 3 10 x
1000 10
x = -3

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Activity 1.2

TEST YOURSELF BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SECTION..!

1. Given that 32 = 25, determine the value of log 2 32

2. Given that 1/8 = 2 3 , determine the value of log 2 1/8
3. Given that 8 = 64 , determine the value of log 64 8
4. Given that 0.001 = 10 3 , determine the value of log 10 0.001
5. Calculate the value of
a.

log 3 81

c. log 8 4

b. log 7 343
d. log 27 9

6. Convert the following into logarithmic form

a. 32 = 25
b. 50 = 10 1.699
c. a = x2

d. x-3 = 0.3

7. Find the value of x given that

13

a. log 3 1 = x

b. log 7 49 = x

c. log 10 0.001 = x

d. log 5 25 = x

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Feedback for Activity 1.2

1. 5
2. 3
3.
4. 3
5. a. x = 4
c. x = 2/3
6. a. log 2 32 = 5
c. log x a = 2
7. a. x = 0
c. x = -3

14

b. 3
d. 2/3
b. log 10 50 = 1.699
d. log x 0.3 = -3
b. x = 2
d. x = 2

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

1.3

BA101/CHAPTER2

LOGARITHM RULE
As in index, you will need to perform basic algebra operations on numbers in
logarithm. Table 1.2 shows the logarithm rule.

Assume M and N are positive real numbers

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

log a MN = log a M + log a N

log a M/ N = log a M log a N
log a (M) c = c log a M
log a a = 1
log a a0 = 0 log a a = 0

6. log N M =

log a M
log a N

( to convert base N to base a)

7. a log a N = N
8. log101 = log a (for base 10 only)
Table 1.2: Rules of Logarithm Operations
Example 1.5
Write the following expressions as addition or subtraction of logarithms.
a. log a x 2 y 3
c. log

1
100b 2

b. log a 3 b 3/2
c. log (

ab 3
)
c

Solution:
a. log a x 2 y 3 = log a x2 + log a y 3
= 2 log a x + 3 log a y

RULE 1 and 3

b. log a 3 b 3/2 = log a 3 + log b 3/2

3
= 3 log a + log b
2

15

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

c. log

BA101/CHAPTER2

1
= log 1 ( log 100 + log b2 )
2
100b
= 0 log 100 2 log b
= - ( log 100 + 2 log b )
= -2 (1 + log b )
1/ 2

ab 3
ab 3

= ( log ab3 log c )

log
d. log (
)=
c
c

3
= log ab log c
= log a + log b3 log c
3
= log a + log b log c
2
Example 1.6
Rewrite the expressions below as a single logarithm
a. log 2 + log 3

b. log 4 + 2 log 3 log 6

c. 2 log x + 3 log y log z

d. log a + log a2 b 2 log ab

Solution:
a. log 2 + log 3 = log ( 2 x 3 ) = log 6
b. log 4 + 2 log 3 log 6 = log 4 + log 32 log 6
= log ( 4 x 9 ) log 6
36
= log
log 6
6
c. 2 log x + 3 log y log z = log x2 + log y 3 log z
x2 y3

= log
z

d. log a + log a2 b 2 log ab = log a 1/2 + log a 2 b log ( ab )2

log

16

a
a1 / 2 a 2 b
= log
2
b
(ab)

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Example 1.7
Given log 2 = 0.3010 and log 3 = 0.4771 , find the value of:
a. log 8

b. log 18

c. log 0.6

Solution:
a. log 8

= log 2 3

= 3 log 2
= 3 ( 0.3010 )
= 0. 903

b. log 18

= log (2 x 9 )

= log 2 + log 9
= log 2 + log 3 2
= log 2 + 2 log 3
= 0.3010 + 2 ( 0.4771)
= 1.2552

c. log 0.6

= log (

6
)
10

= log 6 log 10
= log ( 2 x 3 ) 1
= log 2 + log 3 1
= 0.3010 + 0.4771 1
= - 0 . 2219

17

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Activity 1.4

TEST YOURSELF BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SECTION..!

1. Express the following as a combination of log x, log y or log z
a. log x 3 y 2

b. log

c. log xy

x3
y2

d. log

x2 y
3

2. Express the following as single logarithm

a. log5 14 log5 21 + log5 6
1
c. 4 log 3 2 log 3 25
2

3
log 7 9 2 log 7 6
2
2
8
d. 2 log 5 log 5
3
9

b.

3. Determine the values of

a. log4 9 log436

b. 2 log 2 5 log2 100 + 3 log2 4

4. Given that log a 3 = 0.477 and log a 5 = 0.699, find the value of
a. log a 15
c.

18

log a 45
log a 9a

b. log a 35
d. loga 0.6

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Feedback for Activity 1.4

1. a. 3 log x + 2 log y
b. 3 log x 2 log y
c. log x + log y
d. 2 log x + log y

3
log z
2

2. a. log5 4
b. log7
c. log3 80
d. log5
3. a. 1
b.

4. a. 1.176
b. 0.8265
c. 0.846
d. 0.222

19

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

1.4

BA101/CHAPTER2

INDEX AND LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS

Congratulations! You have already understood and know how to use Index Rule and
Logarithm Rule to solve simple problems involving Index and Logarithm expressions. Now we
move on to solving simple equations involving Index and Logarithm. The following rule is very
important.
Assuming that x and y are real numbers
If
If

ax = ay , then x = y
log a x = log a y , then x = y

Example 1.8
Solve the following equations
a. 7x = 12

b. 3 5x 8 = 9 x + 2

Solution:
a.

7x = 12
Log both sides,
x log 7 = log 12
log 7 0.845
x

0.783
log 12 1.079

b.

3 5x 8 = 9 x + 2
3 5x 8 = (3 2 ) x + 2

Similar base

3 5x 8 = 3 2 x + 4

( am )n = amn

5x 8 = 2x + 4

If ax = ay , then x = y

5x 2x = 4 + 8
3x = 12
x=4

20

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Example 1.9
Solve the following logarithmic equations
a. log 2 ( 7 + x ) = 3

b. log 50 + log x = 2 + log ( x 1 )

c. log 2 x = log x 16
Solution:
a. log 2 (7 + x ) = 3
(7+x )= 23
7+x=8
x=1
b. log 50 + log x = 2 + log ( x 1 )
log 50x = log 100 + log (x 1 )
log 50x = log 100(x 1 )
50x = 100x 100
100 = 50 x
x=2

c. log 2 x = log x 16
log 2 16
log 2 x
log 2 x

Convert to index form

log = log base 10

log a + log b = log ab
2 = log 10 100

Convert to similar base

(log 2 x )2 = log 2 16
(log 2 x )2 = 4
(log 2 x ) = 2
log 2 x = 2 or log 2 x = -2
x = 2 2 or x = 2 2
x = 4 or

21

Convert to index form

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

Activity 1.5

TEST YOURSELF BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SECTION..!

1. Solve these equations

a. 32x = 8

b. 2x 3 = 4x + 1

c. 3 4x = 27 x 3

d. 5 x 2562 x
2

Solve these equations

a. log 6 x + log 6 ( x + 5 ) = 2
b. 5 log x6 - log x 96 = 4
c. 2 log 3 + log 2x = log ( 3x + 1 )
d. log 25 log x + log ( x + 1 ) = 3

22

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

FEEDBACK for Activity 1.5

1

a. 32x = 8
(25)x = 23
5x = 3
3
x =
5
b. x = -5
c. x = -9
d. x = 6 or 2

2.

23

a. x = 4 or -9
b. x = 3
1
c. x =
15
1
d. x =
39

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

SELF ASSESSMENT 1
Another round of congratulations to you for making it so far. You are very close to mastering this unit.
Attempt all questions in this section and check your solutions with the answers provided in
SOLUTIONS TO SELF ASSESSMENT given after this.
If you face any problems you cannot solve, please discuss with your lecturer.
1.

Solve the following equations:

a. 10 x = 0.00001
c. log 2 4x = 8 log x 2

2.

b. 3 x 9 x 1 = 27 2x 1
d. 5 log x 6 log x 96 = 4

Simplify the expressions below:

a. 3 log 2

5
10
1
2 log 2
log 2
3
9
30

b. log 3 5 log 5 2 log 2 3

3.

Given that log 10 5 = p, express the following in term of p.

a. log 10 250
c. log 5 10

4.

b. log 10 0.5
d. log 5 1000

Solve the following equations:

a. 3 log 2 + log ( 4x 1 ) = log ( 7 8x )
b. 2 log 15 + log ( 5 x ) log 4x = 2
c. log 5 x 2 = 1 + log 5 ( 25 4x )
d. log 2 y 2 = 3 + log 2 ( y + 6 )

24

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STANDARD FORM, INDEX AND LOGARITHMS

BA101/CHAPTER2

SOLUTIONS TO SELF ASSESSMENT

1.

a. x = -5
1
c. x =
or 4
16

b. x = 1/3
d. x = 3]

e. 3 log 2 + log ( 4x 1 ) log ( 7 8x ) = 0

2.

a. -3
b. 0.954

3.

a. 2p + 1
b. p 1
c. 1/p
d. 3/p

4.

a. x =

3
5

9
5
c. x = 5 or -25
d. y = 12 or -4

b. x =

25

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