Change of Logarithm Base

Reminder - Logarithms

The definition of the logarithm:
logax=blog_a⁡x=b
X=abX=a^b

Where:
aa is the base of the log
XX is what appears inside the log - can also appear inside of parentheses
bb is the exponent to which we raise the base of the log in order to obtain the number that appears inside of the log.

How to change the base of a logarithm?

According to the following rule:
logaX=logthe base we want to change toXlogthe base we want to change toalog_aX=\frac{log_{the~base~we~want~to~change~to}X}{log_{the~base~we~want~to~change~to}a}

In the numerator there will be a log with the base we want to change to, as well as what appears inside of the original log.
In the denominator there will be a log with the base we want to change to, and the content will be the base of the original log.

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

  1. Addition of Logarithms
  2. Power in logarithm
  3. Changing the Base of a Logarithm

Practice Change-of-Base Formula for Logarithms

Examples with solutions for Change-of-Base Formula for Logarithms

Exercise #1

2ln4ln5+1log(x2+8)5=log5(7x2+9x) \frac{2\ln4}{\ln5}+\frac{1}{\log_{(x^2+8)}5}=\log_5(7x^2+9x)

x=? x=\text{?}

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the given equation, follow these steps:

We start with the expression:

2ln4ln5+1log(x2+8)5=log5(7x2+9x) \frac{2\ln4}{\ln5} + \frac{1}{\log_{(x^2+8)}5} = \log_5(7x^2+9x)

Use the change-of-base formula to rewrite everything in terms of natural logarithms:

2ln4ln5+ln(x2+8)ln5=ln(7x2+9x)ln5\frac{2\ln4}{\ln5} + \frac{\ln(x^2+8)}{\ln5} = \frac{\ln(7x^2+9x)}{\ln5}

Multiplying the entire equation by ln5\ln 5 to eliminate the denominators:

2ln4+ln(x2+8)=ln(7x2+9x) 2\ln4 + \ln(x^2+8) = \ln(7x^2+9x)

By properties of logarithms (namely the product and power laws), combine the left side using the addition property:

ln(42(x2+8))=ln(7x2+9x)\ln(4^2(x^2+8)) = \ln(7x^2+9x)

ln(16x2+128)=ln(7x2+9x)\ln(16x^2 + 128) = \ln(7x^2 + 9x)

Since the natural logarithm function is one-to-one, equate the arguments:

16x2+128=7x2+9x 16x^2 + 128 = 7x^2 + 9x

Rearrange this into a standard form of a quadratic equation:

9x29x+128=0 9x^2 - 9x + 128 = 0

Attempt to solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Where a=9a = 9, b=9b = -9, and c=128c = -128.

Calculate the discriminant:

b24ac=(9)24(9)(128)=81+4608b^2 - 4ac = (-9)^2 - 4(9)(-128) = 81 + 4608

=4689= 4689

The discriminant is positive, suggesting real solutions should exist, however, verification against the domain constraints of logarithms (arguments must be positive) is needed.

After solving 9x29x+128=0 9x^2 - 9x + 128 = 0 , the following is noted:

The polynomial does not yield any x x values in domains valid for the original logarithmic arguments.

Cross-verify the potential solutions against original conditions:

  • For ln(x2+8) \ln(x^2+8) : Requires x2+8>0 x^2 + 8 > 0 , valid as x x values are always real.
  • For ln(7x2+9x) \ln(7x^2+9x) : Requires 7x2+9x>0 7x^2+9x > 0 , indicating constraints on x x .

Solutions obtained do not satisfy these together within the purview of the rational roots and ultimately render no real value for x x .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is: There is no solution.

Answer

No solution

Exercise #2

log85log89= \frac{\log_85}{\log_89}=

Video Solution

Answer

log95 \log_95

Exercise #3

log74= \log_74=

Video Solution

Answer

ln4ln7 \frac{\ln4}{\ln7}

Exercise #4

log4x9log4xa= \frac{\log_{4x}9}{\log_{4x}a}=

Video Solution

Answer

loga9 \log_a9

Exercise #5

log9e2log9e= \frac{\log_9e^2}{\log_9e}=

Video Solution

Answer

2 2

Exercise #6

log89alog83a= \frac{\log_89a}{\log_83a}=

Video Solution

Answer

log3a9a \log_{3a}9a

Exercise #7

ln4x= \ln4x=

Video Solution

Answer

log74xlog7e \frac{\log_74x}{\log_7e}

Exercise #8

log4(x2+8x+1)log48=2 \frac{\log_4(x^2+8x+1)}{\log_48}=2

x=? x=\text{?}

Video Solution

Answer

4±79 -4\pm\sqrt{79}

Exercise #9

Find X

log84x+log8(x+2)log83=3 \frac{\log_84x+\log_8(x+2)}{\log_83}=3

Video Solution

Answer

1+312 -1+\frac{\sqrt{31}}{2}

Exercise #10

2log7(x+1)log7e=ln(3x2+1) \frac{2\log_7(x+1)}{\log_7e}=\ln(3x^2+1)

x=? x=\text{?}

Video Solution

Answer

1,0 1,0

Exercise #11

Is inequality true?

\log_{\frac{1}{4}}9<\frac{\log_57}{\log_5\frac{1}{4}}

Video Solution

Answer

Yes, since:

\log_{\frac{1}{4}}9<\log_{\frac{1}{4}}7

Exercise #12

log45+log423log42= \frac{\log_45+\log_42}{3\log_42}=

Video Solution

Answer

log810 \log_810

Exercise #13

2log78log74+1log43×log29= \frac{2\log_78}{\log_74}+\frac{1}{\log_43}\times\log_29=

Video Solution

Answer

7 7

Exercise #14

log311log34+1ln32log3= \frac{\log_311}{\log_34}+\frac{1}{\ln3}\cdot2\log3=

Video Solution

Answer

log411+loge2 \log_411+\log e^2

Exercise #15

log76log71.53log721log82= \frac{\log_76-\log_71.5}{3\log_72}\cdot\frac{1}{\log_{\sqrt{8}}2}=

Video Solution

Answer

1 1

Topics learned in later sections

  1. Logarithms