UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  CSAT Preparation  >  Important Concepts & Formulas: Logarithms

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

What are Logarithms?

A logarithm is defined as the power to which a number must be raised to get some other values. It is the most convenient way to express large numbers. A logarithm has various important properties that prove multiplication and division of logarithms can also be written in the form of a logarithm of addition and subtraction.
“The logarithm of a positive real number a with respect to base b, a positive real number not equal to 1[nb 1], is the exponent by which b must be raised to yield a”.
i.e. by= a logba=y 
Where,

  • “a” and “b” are two positive real numbers
  • y is a real number
  • “a” is called argument, which is inside the log
  • “b” is called the base, which is at the bottom of the log.

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

In other words, the logarithm gives the answer to the question “How many times a number is multiplied to get the other number?”. 
For example, how many 3’s are multiplied to get the answer 27?
If we multiply 3 for 3 times, we get the answer 27. 
Therefore, the logarithm is 3.
The logarithm form is written as follows:
Log3 (27) = 3 ….(1)
Therefore, the base 3 logarithm of 27 is 3.
The above logarithm form can also be written as:
3 x 3 x 3 = 27
33 = 27 …..(2)
Thus, the equations (1) and (2) both represent the same meaning.
Below are some of the examples of conversion from exponential forms to logarithms.
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Question for Important Concepts & Formulas: Logarithms
Try yourself:What is the logarithm of 1000 with respect to base 10?
View Solution

Types of Logarithms

(i) Natural Logarithm: loge N is called natural Logarithm or Naperian Logarithm denoted by (ln N) i.e., when logarithm’s base is “e” then it is called natural logarithm. Ex: loge 7
(ii) Common Logarithm: log10 N is called Brigg’s Logarithm when the base is 10. Ex: log10 100

Logarithm Rules

There are certain rules based on which logarithmic operations can be performed. The names of these rules are:

  • Product rule
  • Division rule
  • Power rule/Exponential Rule
  • Change of base rule
  • Base switch rule
  • Derivative of log
  • Integral of log

Let us have a look at each of these properties one by one

1. Product Rule

In this rule, the multiplication of two logarithmic values is equal to the addition of their individual logarithms.
Logb (mn)= logb m + logb n
Example: log3 ( 2y ) = log3 (2) + log3 (y)

2. Division Rule

The division of two logarithmic values is equal to the difference of each logarithm.
Logb (m/n)= logb m – logb n
Example: log3 (2/ y) = log3 (2) -log3 (y)

3. Exponential Rule

In the exponential rule, the logarithm of m with a rational exponent is equal to the exponent times its logarithm.
Logb (mn) = n logb m

Example: logb(23) = 3 logb 2

4. Change of Base Rule

Logb m = loga m/ loga b    
Example: logb 2 = loga 2/loga b

5. Base Switch Rule

logb (a) = 1 / loga (b)
Example: logb 8 = 1/log8 b

6. Derivative of log

If f (x) = logb (x), then the derivative of f(x) is given by;
f'(x) = 1/(x ln(b))

Example: Given, f (x) = log10 (x)
Then, f'(x) = 1/(x ln(10))

7. Integral of Log

∫logb(x)dx = x(logb(x) – 1/ln(b)) + C

Example: ∫ log10(x) dx = x ∙ (log10(x) – 1 / ln(10)) + C

Logarithm Properties

  • loga 1 = 0, a > 0, a 1
  • loga a = 1,  a > 0, a 1
  • Loga ax = x, x x R, x >0
  • aloga x = x, x x R, x >0
  • loga (m.n) = loga m + loga n, n m, n > 0, a > 0, a 1
  • loga (m/n) = loga m –  loga n, n m, n > 0, a > 0, a 1
  • loga (mn) = n loga m, m m, m > 0, a > 0, a 1
  • loga (1/m)  = –  loga m, m m, n > 0, a > 0, a 1
  • Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET 
  • loga b = x a, b > 0, a 1 and x R
    (i) log1/a b = – x
    (ii) loga (1/b) = – x
    (iii) log1/a (1/b) = -x
  • logam b = 1/m loga b
  • loga x is a decreasing function, if 0 < a < 1
  • loga x is a increasing function, if a > 1
  • When 0 < a < 1 then
    • loga b loga c, b c
    • loga b c, b ac 
  • When a >1
    • loga b loga c, b c > 0
    • loga b c, b ac  

Question for Important Concepts & Formulas: Logarithms
Try yourself:Which type of logarithm is denoted by ln N when the base is "e"?
View Solution

Characteristics and Mantissa

Characteristic: The integral part of logarithm is known as characteristic.
Mantissa: The decimal part is known as mantissa and is always positive

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEETIn log 3274 = 3.5150, the integral part is 3 i.e., characteristic is 3 and the decimal part is .5150 i.e., mantissa is .5150.

Points to Remember About Characteristics

  • The characteristic of common logarithm of positive number less than unity (i.e.,1) is negative.
  • The characteristic of common logarithm of a positive number greater than 1 is positive.
  • If the logarithm to any base a gives the characteristic ‘n’, then the number of possible integral values is given by an+1 −an. For example log10 x = n.abcd, then the number of integral values that x can have given by 10n+1 −10n
  • If the characteristic of log10 x is negative (i.e., − n), then the number of zeros between the decimal and the first significant number after the decimal is (n −1)

Important Conversions

  • For > 1, 1, > 0, b > loga < b
  • For 0 < < 1, 1, > 0, b > loga > b

Important Formulas

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
  • logb(mn) = logb(m) + logb(n)
  • logb(m/n) = logb (m) – log(n)
  • Logb (xy) = y logb(x)
  • Logbm√n = logb n/m
  • m logb(x) + n logb(y) = logb(xmyn)
  • logb(m+n) = logb m + logb(1+nm)
  • logb(m – n) = logb m + logb (1-n/m)

Solved Examples

Question 1: If log2X + log4X = log0.25√6 and x > 0, then x is:

A. 6-1/6

B. 61/6

C. 3-1/3

D. 61/3

Correct Answer is Option (A).

  • log2x + log4x = log0.25√6
    We can rewrite the equation as:  
    Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
     log2x * 3 = 2log0.25√6
     log2x3 = -log46 
    Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
    Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
     2log2x3 = -log26
  • 2log2x3 + log26 = 0
    log26X6 = 0
  • 6x6 = 1 
    x6 = 1/6
    Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
  • The question is "If log2X + log4X = log0.25 √6 and x > 0, then x is"
  • Hence, the answer is "6-1/6".

Question 2: log9 (3log2 (1 + log3 (1 + 2log2x))) = 1/2. Find x. 

A. 4

B. 1/2

C. 1

D. 2

Correct Answer is Option (D).

log9 (3log2 (1 + log3 (1 + 2log2x)) = 1/2

3log2(1 + log3(1 + 2log2x)) = 91/2 = 3
log2(1 + log3(1 + 2log2x) = 1 
1 + log3(1 + 2log2x) = 2 
log3(1 + 2log2x) = 1
1 + 2log2x = 3 
2log2x = 2 
log2x = 1 
x = 2 

The question is "Find x."

Hence, the answer is "2".

Question 3: If 22x+4 – 17 × 2x+1 = –4, then which of the following is true? 

A. x is a positive value

B. x is a negative value

C. x can be either a positive value or a negative value 

D. None of these 

Correct Answer is Option (C).

2x+4 – 17 * 2x+1 = – 4 
=> 2x+1 = y 
22x+2 = y2
22(22x+2) – 17 * 2x+1 = –4 
4y2 – 17y + 4 = 0 
4y2 – 16y – y + y = 0 
4y (y – 4) – 1 (y – 4) = 0 

y = 1/4 or 4

2x+1 = 1/4 or 4

⇒ x + 1 = 2 or – 2
x = 1 or – 3

The question is "which of the following is true?"

Hence, the answer is "x can be either a positive value or a negative value".

Question 4: If log1227 = a, log916 = b, find log8108 

A. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

B. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

C. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

D. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Correct Answer is Option (D).

log8108 = log8(4 * 27) 
log8108 = log84 + log827 
 log84 = 2/3

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
log827 = 2 * log16
log916 = b 
log169 = 1/b

log827 = 2/b

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

The question is "find log8108."

Hence, the answer is Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Question 5: Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET If a, b are integers such that x = a, and x = b satisfy this inequation, find the maximum possible value of a – b. 

A. 214

B. 216

C. 200

D. 203

Correct Answer is Option (A).

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

log3x = y

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

y ∈ (3, 5)
3 < log3x < 5
27 < x < 243
Therefore max ( a – b) will be when a = 242 and b = 28. Therefore, max(a – b) = 214.

The question is "find the maximum possible value of a – b."

Hence, the answer is "214".

Question 6: log5x = a (This should be read as log X to the base 5 equals a) log20x = b. What is logx10?

A. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
B. (a + b) * 2ab

C. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
D. Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Correct Answer is Option (A).

Given, log5x = a
log20x = b
logx5 = 1/a

logx20 = 1/b
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET
Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

The question is "What is logx10?"

Hence, the answer is Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Question 7: log3x + logx3 = 17/4. Find x.

A. 34

B. 31/8

C. 31/4

D. 31/3

Correct Answer is Option (C).

log3x + logx3 = 17/4

Let y = log3x
We know that logx3 = Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Hence logx3 = 1/y

Thus the equation can be written asImportant Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

4y2 + 4 = 17y
4y2 + 4 - 17y = 0
Solving the above equation we get y = 4 or 1/4

If y = 4
log3x = 4
Then x = 34
If y = 1/4

log3x = 1/4

Then x = 31/4
The question is "Find x."

Hence, the answer is "34".

Question 8: logxy + logyx2 = 3. Find logxy3. 

A. 4

B. 3

C. 31/2

D. 31/16

Correct Answer is Option (B).

logxy + logyx2 = 3
Let a = logxy 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

logyx2 = 2logyx
We know that logyx =Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Hence form above logyx = 1/a

Now rewritting the equation logxy + logyx2 = 3 

Using a we get Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

i.e., a2 - 3a + 2 = 0
Solving we get a = 2 or 1 
If a = 2, Then logxy = 2 and logyx3 = 3
logxy = 3 * 2 = 6
Or
If a = 1, Then logxy = 1 and logyx3 = 3
logxy = 3 * 1 = 3

The question is "Find logxy3."

Hence, the answer is "3".

Question 9: log2 4 * log4 8 * log8 16 * ……………nth term = 49, what is the value of n? 

A. 49

B. 48

C. 34

D. 24

Correct Answer is Option (B).

First, the nth term of L.H.S need to be defined by observing the pattern :-
It is log(2n) 2.2n 
Given,
log2 4 * log4 8 * log8 16 * ……………log(2n) 2.2n = 49
Whenever solving a logarithm equation, generally one should approach towards making the base same.
Making the base 2:- 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

log(2n) 2.2n = 49
log(2n) 2 + log(2n) 2n = 49
1 + n = 49
n = 48

The question is "what is the value of n?"

Hence, the answer is "48".

Question 10: If 33 + 6 + 9 + ……… 3x =Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET what is the value of x? 

A. 3

B. 6

C. 7

D. 11

Correct Answer is Option (D).

First of all, let us define the xth term. 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

Whenever you encounter a distinctive number such as one given in R.H.S of above equation, always try to find its significance in the context of question. 

In this case L.H.S has 3a, so Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET must be some form of 3a. 

With little hit and trial, you may find Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

33(1 + 2 + 3 + ...X) = 3 -3 * -66
 33 * 3x(x+1)/2 = 33*66 

 Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

x(x+1) = 132
Solving this equation for x > 0, we get x = 11.
You should directly be able to see that 132 = 11 * 12 => x= 11
And avoid wasting time solving the complete equation.

The question is "what is the value of x?"

Hence, the answer is "11".

Question 11: x, y, z are 3 integers in a geometric sequence such that y - x is a perfect cube. Given, log36x2 + log6√y + log216y1/2z = 6. Find the value of x + y + z. 

A. 189

B. 190

C. 199

D. 201

Correct Answer is Option (A).

Let us begin with simplifying the equation:-
 log62x2 + log6y1/2 + 3log63y1/2z = 6 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

log6x + log6y1/2y1/2z = 6
log6xyz = 6
xyz = 66 

Given x,y,z is in G.P. Let x = a, y = ab, z = ab2
⇒ xyz = a3b3 = (ab)3 
(ab)3 = (62)3
Possible values of (a,b) satisfying the equation :-
(1, 36), (2, 18), (3, 12), (4, 9), (9, 4), (12, 3), (18, 2), (36, 1)
Given y-x is a perfect cube
⇒ ab-a is perfect cube
⇒ a(b-1) is perfect cube
Only possible when (a, b) = (9, 4)
∴ x = 9 , y = 36 , z = 144
∴ x + y + z = 9 + 36 + 144 = 189

The question is "Find the value of x + y + z."

Hence, the answer is "189".

Question 1210log(3 - 10logy) = log2(9 - 2y), Solve for y. 

A. 0

B. 3

C. 0 and 3

D. none of these

Correct Answer is Option (D).

Before beginning to simplify the equation, don’t forget that anything inside a log cannot be negative 
10log(3-y) = log2(9 - 2y) (y > 0)…………………………………(1)
3 - y = log2(9 - 2y) (Therefore, 3 - y > 0 =) (y < 3)) ……………………… (2)
23-y = 9 - 2y
2y = t 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

⇒ 8 = 9t –t2
⇒ t2 - 9t + 8 = 0
⇒ t2 - t - 8t - 8 = 0
⇒ t(t - 1) - 8(t - 1) = 0
⇒ t = 1, 8
Therefore, 2y = 1 and 2y = 8
⇒ y = 0 and y = 3
However, from inequalities (1) and (2), y cannot take either of these value.

The question is "Solve for y."

Hence, the answer is "none of these".

Question 13: 46+12+18+24+…+6x = (0.0625)-84, what is the value of x? 

A. 7

B. 6

C. 9

D. 12

Correct Answer is Option (A).

Take right side expression, 

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

= (4-2)-84
= 4168
Take left side expression 
46+12+18+24+…+6x = 46(1+2+3+4+x)
= 46 * 4(1+2+3+4+…+x)
= 46 * 4x(x+1)/2 (using the formula for sum of natural numbers from 1 to x)
Equating left and right side expresssions, we get 46 * 4x(x+1)/2 = 4168
Or 46 * 4x(x+1)/2 = 46*28

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

or x (x + 1) = 56
Solving for x we get, x = 7

The question is "what is the value of x?"

Hence, the answer is "7".
The document Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET is a part of the UPSC Course CSAT Preparation.
All you need of UPSC at this link: UPSC
218 videos|139 docs|151 tests

Top Courses for UPSC

FAQs on Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

1. What are the different types of logarithms?
Ans. There are two main types of logarithms: common logarithms, which have a base of 10, and natural logarithms, which have a base of e (Euler's number).
2. What are some important logarithm rules to remember?
Ans. Some important logarithm rules include the product rule (log(ab) = log(a) + log(b)), the quotient rule (log(a/b) = log(a) - log(b)), and the power rule (log(a^n) = n*log(a)).
3. What are some key logarithm properties to be aware of?
Ans. Some key logarithm properties include the fact that log(a) + log(b) = log(ab), log(a) - log(b) = log(a/b), and log(a^n) = n*log(a).
4. What are characteristics and mantissa in logarithms?
Ans. The characteristic in a logarithm is the integer part of the logarithm, while the mantissa is the decimal part. They together make up the complete logarithm value.
5. How can logarithms be used for important conversions and calculations?
Ans. Logarithms can be used to convert between exponential and logarithmic forms, solve exponential equations, and simplify complex mathematical calculations involving exponents.
218 videos|139 docs|151 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

practice quizzes

,

MCQs

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Summary

,

study material

,

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

,

mock tests for examination

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

ppt

,

Semester Notes

,

Free

,

Important questions

,

video lectures

,

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

,

past year papers

,

Viva Questions

,

Extra Questions

,

pdf

,

Important Logarithms Formulas for JEE and NEET

,

Objective type Questions

,

Exam

,

Sample Paper

;