Logarithm of a Quotient
How to solve the logarithm of a quotient (loga x/y): formula, 2 examples, and their solutions.
Formula
loga x/y = loga x - loga y
You can split the log of a quotient like this.
Examplelog2 32/√8
Solution
Solution (Detail)
log2 32/√8 = log2 32 - log2 √8
32 = 25
√8 = √23
Power
√23 = 23/2
Rational Exponent
log2 25 = 5 log2 2
-log2 23/2 = -[3/2] log2 2
Logarithm of a Power
log2 2 = 1
Logarithm of Itself
5⋅1 = 5
-[3/2]⋅1 = -3/2
5 = 10/2
10/2 - 3/2 = 7/2
So 7/2 is the answer.
Examplelog6 9 - log6 15 + log6 10
Solution
Solution (Detail)
Every term has log6.
So combine these logs into log6.
First write log6 (.
log6 9
The sign is plus.
So write 9.
-log6 15
The sign is minus.
So divide 15.
+log6 10
The sign is plus.
So multiply 10.
Logarithm of a Product
So
log6 9 - log6 15 + log6 10
= log6 ([9/15]⋅10).
Reduce 10 to, 10/5, 2
and reduce 15 to, 15/5, 3.
9/3 = 3
3⋅2 = 6
log6 6 = 1
So 1 is the answer.