• Kolmogorov A.N., Abramov A.M., Dudnitsyn Yu.P. and others. Algebra and the beginnings of analysis: Textbook for grades 10 - 11 of general education institutions.
• Gusev V.A., Mordkovich A.G. Mathematics (a manual for those entering technical schools).

We continue to study logarithms. In this article we will talk about calculating logarithms, this process is called logarithm. First we will understand the calculation of logarithms by definition. Next, let's look at how the values ​​of logarithms are found using their properties. After this, we will focus on calculating logarithms through the initially specified values ​​of other logarithms. Finally, let's learn how to use logarithm tables. The entire theory is provided with examples with detailed solutions.

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Calculating logarithms by definition

In the simplest cases it is possible to perform quite quickly and easily finding the logarithm by definition. Let's take a closer look at how this process happens.

Its essence is to represent the number b in the form a c, from which, by the definition of a logarithm, the number c is the value of the logarithm. That is, by definition, the following chain of equalities corresponds to finding the logarithm: log a b=log a a c =c.

So, calculating a logarithm by definition comes down to finding a number c such that a c = b, and the number c itself is the desired value of the logarithm.

Taking into account the information in the previous paragraphs, when the number under the logarithm sign is given by a certain power of the logarithm base, you can immediately indicate what the logarithm is equal to - it is equal to the exponent. Let's show solutions to examples.

Example.

Find log 2 2 −3, and also calculate the natural logarithm of the number e 5,3.

Solution.

The definition of the logarithm allows us to immediately say that log 2 2 −3 =−3. Indeed, the number under the logarithm sign is equal to base 2 to the −3 power.

Similarly, we find the second logarithm: lne 5.3 =5.3.

Answer:

log 2 2 −3 =−3 and lne 5,3 =5,3.

If the number b under the logarithm sign is not specified as a power of the base of the logarithm, then you need to carefully look to see if it is possible to come up with a representation of the number b in the form a c . Often this representation is quite obvious, especially when the number under the logarithm sign is equal to the base to the power of 1, or 2, or 3, ...

Example.

Calculate the logarithms log 5 25 , and .

Solution.

It is easy to see that 25=5 2, this allows you to calculate the first logarithm: log 5 25=log 5 5 2 =2.

Let's move on to calculating the second logarithm. The number can be represented as a power of 7: (see if necessary). Hence, .

Let's rewrite the third logarithm in the following form. Now you can see that , from which we conclude that . Therefore, by the definition of logarithm .

Briefly, the solution could be written as follows: .

Answer:

log 5 25=2 , And .

When there is a sufficiently large natural number under the logarithm sign, it does not hurt to factor it into prime factors. It often helps to represent such a number as some power of the base of the logarithm, and therefore calculate this logarithm by definition.

Example.

Find the value of the logarithm.

Solution.

Some properties of logarithms allow you to immediately specify the value of logarithms. These properties include the property of the logarithm of one and the property of the logarithm of a number equal to the base: log 1 1=log a a 0 =0 and log a a=log a a 1 =1. That is, when under the logarithm sign there is a number 1 or a number a equal to the base of the logarithm, then in these cases the logarithms are equal to 0 and 1, respectively.

Example.

What are logarithms and log10 equal to?

Solution.

Since , then from the definition of logarithm it follows .

In the second example, the number 10 under the logarithm sign coincides with its base, so the decimal logarithm of ten is equal to one, that is, lg10=lg10 1 =1.

Answer:

AND lg10=1 .

Note that the calculation of logarithms by definition (which we discussed in the previous paragraph) implies the use of the equality log a a p =p, which is one of the properties of logarithms.

In practice, when a number under the logarithm sign and the base of the logarithm are easily represented as a power of a certain number, it is very convenient to use the formula , which corresponds to one of the properties of logarithms. Let's look at an example of finding a logarithm that illustrates the use of this formula.

Example.

Calculate the logarithm.

Solution.

Answer:

.

Properties of logarithms not mentioned above are also used in calculations, but we will talk about this in the following paragraphs.

Finding logarithms through other known logarithms

The information in this paragraph continues the topic of using the properties of logarithms when calculating them. But here the main difference is that the properties of logarithms are used to express the original logarithm in terms of another logarithm, the value of which is known. Let's give an example for clarification. Let's say we know that log 2 3≈1.584963, then we can find, for example, log 2 6 by doing a little transformation using the properties of the logarithm: log 2 6=log 2 (2 3)=log 2 2+log 2 3≈ 1+1,584963=2,584963 .

In the above example, it was enough for us to use the property of the logarithm of a product. However, much more often it is necessary to use a wider arsenal of properties of logarithms in order to calculate the original logarithm through the given ones.

Example.

Calculate the logarithm of 27 to base 60 if you know that log 60 2=a and log 60 5=b.

Solution.

So we need to find log 60 27 . It is easy to see that 27 = 3 3 , and the original logarithm, due to the property of the logarithm of the power, can be rewritten as 3·log 60 3 .

Now let's see how to express log 60 3 in terms of known logarithms. The property of the logarithm of a number equal to the base allows us to write the equality log 60 60=1. On the other hand, log 60 60=log60(2 2 3 5)= log 60 2 2 +log 60 3+log 60 5= 2·log 60 2+log 60 3+log 60 5 . Thus, 2 log 60 2+log 60 3+log 60 5=1. Hence, log 60 3=1−2·log 60 2−log 60 5=1−2·a−b.

Finally, we calculate the original logarithm: log 60 27=3 log 60 3= 3·(1−2·a−b)=3−6·a−3·b.

Answer:

log 60 27=3·(1−2·a−b)=3−6·a−3·b.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the meaning of the formula for transition to a new base of the logarithm of the form . It allows you to move from logarithms with any base to logarithms with a specific base, the values ​​of which are known or it is possible to find them. Usually, from the original logarithm, using the transition formula, they move to logarithms in one of the bases 2, e or 10, since for these bases there are tables of logarithms that allow their values ​​to be calculated with a certain degree of accuracy. In the next paragraph we will show how this is done.

Logarithm tables and their uses

For approximate calculation of logarithm values ​​can be used logarithm tables. The most commonly used base 2 logarithm table, natural logarithm table, and decimal logarithm table. When working in the decimal number system, it is convenient to use a table of logarithms based on base ten. With its help we will learn to find the values ​​of logarithms.

The presented table allows you to find the values ​​of the decimal logarithms of numbers from 1,000 to 9,999 (with three decimal places) with an accuracy of one ten-thousandth. We will analyze the principle of finding the value of a logarithm using a table of decimal logarithms using a specific example - it’s clearer this way. Let's find log1.256.

In the left column of the table of decimal logarithms we find the first two digits of the number 1.256, that is, we find 1.2 (this number is circled in blue for clarity). The third digit of the number 1.256 (digit 5) is found in the first or last line to the left of the double line (this number is circled in red). The fourth digit of the original number 1.256 (digit 6) is found in the first or last line to the right of the double line (this number is circled with a green line). Now we find the numbers in the cells of the logarithm table at the intersection of the marked row and marked columns (these numbers are highlighted in orange). The sum of the marked numbers gives the desired value of the decimal logarithm accurate to the fourth decimal place, that is, log1.236≈0.0969+0.0021=0.0990.

Is it possible, using the table above, to find the values ​​of decimal logarithms of numbers that have more than three digits after the decimal point, as well as those that go beyond the range from 1 to 9.999? Yes, you can. Let's show how this is done with an example.

Let's calculate lg102.76332. First you need to write down number in standard form: 102.76332=1.0276332·10 2. After this, the mantissa should be rounded to the third decimal place, we have 1.0276332 10 2 ≈1.028 10 2, while the original decimal logarithm is approximately equal to the logarithm of the resulting number, that is, we take log102.76332≈lg1.028·10 2. Now we apply the properties of the logarithm: lg1.028·10 2 =lg1.028+lg10 2 =lg1.028+2. Finally, we find the value of the logarithm lg1.028 from the table of decimal logarithms lg1.028≈0.0086+0.0034=0.012. As a result, the entire process of calculating the logarithm looks like this: log102.76332=log1.0276332 10 2 ≈lg1.028 10 2 = log1.028+lg10 2 =log1.028+2≈0.012+2=2.012.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that using a table of decimal logarithms you can calculate the approximate value of any logarithm. To do this, it is enough to use the transition formula to go to decimal logarithms, find their values ​​in the table, and perform the remaining calculations.

For example, let's calculate log 2 3 . According to the formula for transition to a new base of the logarithm, we have . From the table of decimal logarithms we find log3≈0.4771 and log2≈0.3010. Thus, .

References.

• Kolmogorov A.N., Abramov A.M., Dudnitsyn Yu.P. and others. Algebra and the beginnings of analysis: Textbook for grades 10 - 11 of general education institutions.
• Gusev V.A., Mordkovich A.G. Mathematics (a manual for those entering technical schools).

The basic properties of the natural logarithm, graph, domain of definition, set of values, basic formulas, derivative, integral, power series expansion and representation of the function ln x using complex numbers are given.

Definition

Natural logarithm is the function y = ln x, the inverse of the exponential, x = e y, and is the logarithm to the base of the number e: ln x = log e x.

The natural logarithm is widely used in mathematics because its derivative has the simplest form: (ln x)′ = 1/ x.

Based on definitions, the base of the natural logarithm is the number e:
e ≅ 2.718281828459045...;
.

Graph of the function y = ln x.

Graph of natural logarithm (functions y = ln x) is obtained from the exponential graph by mirror reflection relative to the straight line y = x.

The natural logarithm is defined for positive values ​​of the variable x. It increases monotonically in its domain of definition.

At x → 0 the limit of the natural logarithm is minus infinity (-∞).

As x → + ∞, the limit of the natural logarithm is plus infinity (+ ∞). For large x, the logarithm increases quite slowly. Any power function x a with a positive exponent a grows faster than the logarithm.

Properties of the natural logarithm

Domain of definition, set of values, extrema, increase, decrease

The natural logarithm is a monotonically increasing function, so it has no extrema. The main properties of the natural logarithm are presented in the table.

ln x values

ln 1 = 0

Basic formulas for natural logarithms

Formulas following from the definition of the inverse function:

The main property of logarithms and its consequences

Base replacement formula

Any logarithm can be expressed in terms of natural logarithms using the base substitution formula:

Proofs of these formulas are presented in the section "Logarithm".

Inverse function

The inverse of the natural logarithm is the exponent.

If , then

If, then.

Derivative ln x

Derivative of the natural logarithm:
.
Derivative of the natural logarithm of modulus x:
.
Derivative of nth order:
.
Deriving formulas > > >

Integral

The integral is calculated by integration by parts:
.
So,

Expressions using complex numbers

Consider the function of the complex variable z:
.
Let's express the complex variable z via module r and argument φ :
.
Using the properties of the logarithm, we have:
.
Or
.
The argument φ is not uniquely defined. If you put
, where n is an integer,
it will be the same number for different n.

Therefore, the natural logarithm, as a function of a complex variable, is not a single-valued function.

Power series expansion

When the expansion takes place:

Used literature:
I.N. Bronstein, K.A. Semendyaev, Handbook of mathematics for engineers and college students, “Lan”, 2009.

The focus of this article is logarithm. Here we will give a definition of a logarithm, show the accepted notation, give examples of logarithms, and talk about natural and decimal logarithms. After this we will consider the basic logarithmic identity.

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Definition of logarithm

The concept of a logarithm arises when solving a problem in a certain inverse sense, when you need to find an exponent from a known exponent value and a known base.

But enough prefaces, it’s time to answer the question “what is a logarithm”? Let us give the corresponding definition.

Definition.

Logarithm of b to base a, where a>0, a≠1 and b>0 is the exponent to which you need to raise the number a to get b as a result.

At this stage, we note that the spoken word “logarithm” should immediately raise two follow-up questions: “what number” and “on what basis.” In other words, there is simply no logarithm, but only the logarithm of a number to some base.

Let's enter right away logarithm notation: the logarithm of a number b to base a is usually denoted as log a b. The logarithm of a number b to base e and the logarithm to base 10 have their own special designations lnb and logb, respectively, that is, they write not log e b, but lnb, and not log 10 b, but lgb.

Now we can give: .
And the records do not make sense, since in the first of them there is a negative number under the logarithm sign, in the second there is a negative number in the base, and in the third there is a negative number under the logarithm sign and a unit in the base.

Now let's talk about rules for reading logarithms. The notation log a b is read as "the logarithm of b to base a". For example, log 2 3 is the logarithm of three to the base 2, and is the logarithm of two point two thirds to the base square root of five. The logarithm to base e is called natural logarithm, and the notation lnb reads "natural logarithm of b". For example, ln7 is the natural logarithm of seven, and we will read it as the natural logarithm of pi. The base 10 logarithm also has a special name - decimal logarithm, and lgb is read as "decimal logarithm of b". For example, lg1 is the decimal logarithm of one, and lg2.75 is the decimal logarithm of two point seven five hundredths.

It is worth dwelling separately on the conditions a>0, a≠1 and b>0, under which the definition of the logarithm is given. Let us explain where these restrictions come from. An equality of the form called , which directly follows from the definition of logarithm given above, will help us do this.

Let's start with a≠1. Since one to any power is equal to one, the equality can only be true when b=1, but log 1 1 can be any real number. To avoid this ambiguity, a≠1 is assumed.

Let us justify the expediency of the condition a>0. With a=0, by the definition of a logarithm, we would have an equality that is only possible with b=0. But then log 0 0 can be any non-zero real number, since zero to any non-zero power is zero. The condition a≠0 allows us to avoid this ambiguity. And when a<0 нам бы пришлось отказаться от рассмотрения рациональных и иррациональных значений логарифма, так как степень с рациональным и иррациональным показателем определена лишь для неотрицательных оснований. Поэтому и принимается условие a>0 .

Finally, the condition b>0 follows from the inequality a>0, since , and the value of a power with a positive base a is always positive.

To conclude this point, let’s say that the stated definition of the logarithm allows you to immediately indicate the value of the logarithm when the number under the logarithm sign is a certain power of the base. Indeed, the definition of a logarithm allows us to state that if b=a p, then the logarithm of the number b to base a is equal to p. That is, the equality log a a p =p is true. For example, we know that 2 3 =8, then log 2 8=3. We will talk more about this in the article.

In ratio

the task of finding any of the three numbers from the other two given ones can be set. If a and then N are given, they are found by exponentiation. If N and then a are given by taking the root of the degree x (or raising it to the power). Now consider the case when, given a and N, we need to find x.

Let the number N be positive: the number a be positive and not equal to one: .

Definition. The logarithm of the number N to the base a is the exponent to which a must be raised to obtain the number N; logarithm is denoted by

Thus, in equality (26.1) the exponent is found as the logarithm of N to base a. Posts