LOGARITHMS

Ch 1-1

1 Logarithms

KEY FACTS
1. Definition: If a and n are positive real numbers such that a ≠ 1 and x is real, then ax = n ⇒ x = logan.
Here x is said to be the logarithm of the number n to the base a.
1
Ex. 43 = 64 ⇒ log4 64 = 3, 10–1 = = 0.1 ⇒ log10 0.1 = – 1, 5 x = 4 ⇒ x = log54,
10
a0 = 1 ⇒ loga 1 = 0, a1 = a ⇒ loga a =  1.
2. Some Important Facts about Logarithms
● logan is real if n > 0
● logan is imaginary if n < 0
● logan is not defined if n = 0
● The logarithm of 1 to any base a, a > 0 and a ≠ 1 is zero. log a 1 = 0
● The logarithm of any number a, a > 0 and a ≠ 1, to the same base is 1. log a a = 1
log x
● If a and x are positive real numbers, where a ≠ 1, then a a = x
Proof. Let logax = p. Then, x = a p (By def.) ⇒ x = alogax (Substituting the value of p)
Ex. 3log3 7 = 7, 2log2 9 = 9, 5log5 x = x
● For a > 0, a ≠ 1, logax1 = logax2 ⇒ x1 = x2 (x1, x2 > 0)
● If a > 1 and x > y, then logax > logay.
● If 0 < a < 1 and x > y, then logax < logay
3. Laws of Logarithms
For x > 0, y > 0 and a > 0 and a ≠ 1, any real number n
● logaxy = logax + logay Ex. log2(15) = log2(5 × 3) = log25 + log23
3
● loga(x/y) = logax – logay Ex. log 2   = log 2 3 − log 2 7
7
n
● loga(x) = n logax Ex. log (2)5 = 5 log 2,
 a3  3 3
log  3  = log a – log b = 3 log a – 3 log b
 b
1 1
● logax = Ex. log5 2 =
log x a log 2 5
1 1 1
● log a n x = log a x Ex. log87 = log23(7) = log 2 7, log 5 3 = log (5) 1 (3) = log51/2 (3) = log5 3 = 2log5 3
n 3 2 1/2
m m 4 4
● log a n x = log a x Ex. log 25 5 = log 2 5
n 5
Ch 1-1
Ch 1-2 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

Base changing formula

● logax = logbx.logab Ex. log12 32 = log16 32. log1216. (The base has been changed from 12 to 16)
↑ ↑
Old base New base

● xlogay = ylogax Ex. 3log 7 = 7log 3 (It being understood that base is same)
y→
[Proof. x log a = x
log x y . log a x
(Base changing formula)
log x
= ( x log x y )
a
(Using n loga x = (loga  x)n)
log a x
= y (Using x logx y = y.)
log b
● logab = (It being understood that base is same)
log a
● If logab = x for all a > 0, a ≠ 1, b > 0 and x ∈ R, then log1/a b = – x, loga 1/b = – x and log1/a 1/b = x
4. Some Important Properties of Logarithms
● a, b, c are in G.P. ⇔ logax, logbx, logcx are in H.P.
● a, b, c are in G.P. ⇔ logxa, logxb, logxc are in A.P.
5. Natural or Naperian logarithm is denoted by logeN, where the base is e.
 1 
Ex. loge7, loge   , logeb, etc.
 64 
● Common or Brigg’s logarithm is denoted by log10N, where the base is 10.
1
Ex. log105, log10   , etc.
 81 
● logax is a decreasing function if 0 < a < 1
● logax is an increasing function if a > 1.
6. Characteristic and Mantissa
● Characteristic: The integral part of the logarithm is called characteristic.
(i) If the number is greater than unity and there are n digits in integral part, then its characteristic = (n – 1)
(ii) When the number is less than 1, the characteristic is one more than the number of zeroes between the decimal
point and the first significant digit of the number and is negative. It is written as (n + 1) or Bar (n + 1).

Ex. Number Characteristic Number Characteristic

4.1456 0 0.823 1
24.8920 1 0.0234 2
238.1008 2 0.000423 4
7. Arithmetic Progression. A sequence a1, a2, a3, ........, an is said to be in arithmetic progression, when
a2 – a1 = a3 – a2 = .......... = an – an – 1, i.e., when the terms in the sequence increase or decrease by a constant
quantity called the common difference.
Ex. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, .... 6, 11, 17, 23, .... – 5, –2, 1, 4, 7, ....
● Sum of first ‘n’ terms of an Arithmetic Progression
n n
Sn = [2a + ( n – 1)d ] = [a + l ],
2 2
where a = first term, n = number of terms, d = common difference, l = last term.
● Sum of first “n” natural numbers.
n( n + 1)
Sn = 1 + 2 + 3 + ............ + n = .
2
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-3

n( n + 1)
Also, written as Sn =
2
● Also, if a, b, c are in A.P. then 2b = a + c
8. Geometric Progression : A sequence a1, a2, a3, ............, an is said to be in Geometric Progression when,
a2 a a a
= 3 = 4 = ............ = n = r (say)
a1 a2 a3 an – 1
where a1, a2, a3, .......... are all non zero numbers and r is called the common ratio.
Ex. 3, 6, 12, 24, .................. r = 2;
1 1 1 1
64, 16, 4, 1, , . , ............ r =
4 16 64 4
a ( r n – 1) a (1 – r n ) lr – a
● Sum of first n terms of a G.P. Sn = if r > 1 = if r < 1 =
( r – 1) (1 – r ) r –1
where, a = first term, r = common ratio, l = last term
a
● Sum of an infinite G.P. S∞ = , where a = first term, r = common ratio.
1–r
● For three terms a, b, c to be in G.P., b2 = ac
9. Harmonic Progression : A series of quantities a1, a2, a3, ............, an are said to be in H.P. when their reciprocals
1 1 1 1
, , , .........., are in A.P.
a1 a2 a3 an
2ac
● When three quantities a, b, c are in H.P., then, b = .
a+c

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex. 1. If loga5 + loga25 + loga125 + loga625 = 10, then find the value of a.
Sol. loga5 + loga25 + loga125 + loga625 = 10

⇒ loga (5 × 25 × 125 × 625) = 10
⇒ loga (51 × 52 × 53 × 54) = 10

⇒ loga 510 = 10 ⇒ a10 = 510 ⇒ a = 5.
[Using loga x = n ⇒ x = an]

Ex. 2. Solve for x : log10 [log2 (log39)] = x.

Sol. log10 [log2 (log39)] = x
⇒ log2 (log39) = 10x

⇒ log2 (log3 32) = 10x

⇒ log2 (2 log33) = 10x

⇒ log2 2 = 10x ⇒ 10x = 1 = 100 ⇒ x = 0.

3 5 2 n −1
Ex. 3. Find the value of logxx + log x x + log x x + ........ + log x x .
3 5 2n − 1
Sol. logxx + log x x + log x x + ........ + log x x = log x x + 3 log x x + 5 log x x + ......... + (2n – 1) log x x
n 2  n 
= 1 + 3 + 5 + ............ + (2n – 1) = [1 + (2n – 1)] = n  Using log x x = 1 and for A.P. Sn = 2 (a + l ) 
2
Ch 1-4 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

1+ x   2x 
Ex. 4. If f (x) = log   , show that f  2  = 2 f (x).
1– x 1+ x 
 2x 
 1+ 
 2x  1 + x2 1 + x 2 + 2 x   (1 + x) 2  1 + x 
Sol. f  = log   = log  log = 2log 
2 
1 – 2 x 2  =  2  = 2f (x).
1+ x   1 + x – 2 x   (1 – x)  1 – x 
 1 + x2 
 
Ex. 5. If a = log2412, b = log36 24, c = log4836, then prove that 1 + abc = 2bc.
Sol. 1 + abc = 1 + log2412. log3624. log4836 = 1 + log3612. log4836
= 1 + log4812 = log4848 + log4812 [Q logax. logba = logbx]
= log48 (48 × 12) = log48 (24 × 24)
= log48 (24)2 = 2 log4824. ...(i)
Also, 2bc = 2 log3624. log4836 = 2 log4824 ...(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we have RHS = LHS.
Ex. 6. Solve log2x + 3 (6x2 + 23x + 21) = 4 – log3x + 7 (4x2 + 12x + 9).
Sol. Given, log(2x + 3) (6x2 + 23x + 21) = 4 – log(3x + 7) (4x2 + 12x + 9)
⇒ log(2x + 3) (2x + 3) (3x + 7) = 4 – log(3x + 7) (2x + 3)2
⇒ log(2x + 3) (2x + 3) + log(2x + 3) (3x + 7) = 4 – 2 log(3x + 7) (2x + 3)

⇒ log(2x + 3) (3x + 7) + 2 log(3x + 7) (2x + 3) = 4 – 1 = 3 [Since log2x + 3 (2x + 3) = 1]
2  1 
⇒ log (2 x + 3) (3 x + 7) +
= 3  Using log a x = log a 
log (2 x + 3) (3 x + 7)  x 

Let log(2x + 3)(3x + 7) = t. Then,

2 2
t + = 3 ⇒ t – 3t + 2 = 0 ⇒ (t – 1) (t – 2) = 0 ⇒ t = 1, 2
t
t = 1 ⇒ log(2x + 3)(3x + 7) = 1 ⇒ log(2x + 3)(3x + 7) = log(2x + 3)(2x + 3) [Replacing 1 by log(2x + 3) (2x + 3)]
⇒ 3x + 7 = 2x + 3 ⇒ x = – 4.
t = 2 ⇒ log(2x + 3)(3x + 7) = 2 ⇒ log(2x + 3)(3x + 7) = log(2x + 3)(2x + 3)2
⇒ (3x + 7) = (2x + 3)2 ⇒ 4x2 + 9x + 2 = 0 ⇒ (4x + 1) (x + 2) = 0 ⇒ x = – 1/4, –2
1
But x = – 4 and –2 are extraneous solutions, so x = – .
4

a 2 b2
Ex. 7. If logx (a – b) – logx (a + b) = logx (b/a), find + . (CAT 2012)
b2 a 2

 ( a – b)  b
Sol. Given, logx(a – b) – logx(a + b) = logx(b/a) ⇒ log x 
 = log x  
 ( a + b)  a
⇒ a(a – b) = b(a + b) ⇒ a2 – ab = ab + b2
2
a a
⇒ a2 – b2 = 2ab ⇒ a2 – 2ab – b2 = 0 ⇒   – 2   – 1 = 0
b b
a  b
This is a quadratic equation in and the product of the roots is –1 i.e, if a/b is a root, then  −  is the other
b  a
root. Also, sum of its roots = 2
2 2 2
a b a 2 b2  a  b  2
\   +   = 2 + 2 =  +  –   + 2 = 2 + 2 = 6.

b a b a  b  a 
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-5

Ex. 8. If loge2. logb625 = log1016. loge10, then find the value of b.

Sol. Given, loge2. logb625 = log1016. loge10 ⇒ loge2. logb54 = log1024. loge10
⇒ loge2. 4 logb5 = 4 log102. loge10
log10 2. log e10 log e 2
⇒ logb5. = = = 1 ⇒ b1 = 5 ⇒ b = 5. [Q log a x. log x b = log a b]
log e 2 log e 2
Ex. 9. If (x4 – 2x2y2 + y2)a –1 = (x – y)2a (x + y)–2, then the value of a is
log( x – y )
(a) x2 – y2 (b) log (xy) (c) (d) log (x – y)
log ( x + y )
Sol. Given, (x4 – 2x2y2 + y2)a –1 = (x – y)2a (x + y)–2
⇒ [(x2 – y2)2]a –1 = (x – y)2a (x + y)–2

⇒ (x – y)2(a – 1) (x + y)2(a –1) = (x – y)2a (x + y)–2

( x – y ) 2( a –1) ( x + y ) 2( a –1)

⇒ . = 1 ⇒ ( x – y ) –2 ( x + y ) 2 a = 1
( x – y )2a ( x + y ) –2
⇒ log [(x – y)–2 (x + y)2a] = log 1 ⇒ –2 log (x – y) + 2a log(x + y) = log 1

log ( x – y )
⇒ 2a log (x + y) = 2 log (x – y) ⇒ a =
. [Since log 1 = 0]
log ( x + y )
Ex. 10. If logxa, ax/2 and logbx are in GP, then x is
(a) loga (logba) (b) loga (logea) + loga(logeb)
(c) – loga (logab) (d) loga (logeb) – loga (logea)
2
Sol. If logxa, ax/2 and logbx are in GP, then ( a ) = (logbx) × (logxa)
x /2

⇒ ax = logba ⇒ log ax = log (logba) ⇒ x log a = log (logba) ⇒ x loga a = loga (logba)
⇒ x = loga (logba).
Ex. 11. What is the least value of the expression 2 log10x – logx (1/100) for x > 1 ?

1 log10 10 – 2  log x b
= 2 log10 x –
Sol. 2 log10x – log x  Using log a b = log
100 log10 x  x a 
2  1 
= 2log10 x + = 2  log10 x +
log10 x  log10 x 
Given, x > 1 ⇒ log10x > 0
But since AM ≥ GM
 1 
 log10 x + log x  1
10 
\ 
≥ log10 x ×
 2  log10 x
1  1 
⇒ log10 x +
≥ 2 ⇒ 2 log10 x + ≥4
log10 x  log10 x 
For x = 10, 2[log10x + log10x] ≥ 4
 1 
Hence, the least value of log10 x – log x is 4.
 100 
Ex. 12. If log32, log3 (2x – 5) and log3 (2x – 7/2) are in A.P., then what is the value of x ?
Sol. Given, log32, log3(2x – 5) and log3(2x – 7/2) are in A.P.
x  x 7
⇒ 2 log3 (2 – 5)  = log3 2 + log3  2 – 
 2
Ch 1-6 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

⇒ log3 – (2x
= log3 [2 ×5)2 – 7/2)] (2x
x 2
⇒ (2 – 5) = (2 x + 1 – 7) ⇒ 2 – 10.2x + 25 = 2.2x – 7
2x

⇒ 22x – 12.2x + 32 = 0 ⇒ y2 – 12y + 32 = 0

[Let y = 2x]
⇒ (y – 8) (y – 4) = 0 ⇒ y = 8 or 4 ⇒ 2x = 8 or 2x = 4 ⇒ x = 3 or 2.

Ex. 13. Let u = (log2x)2 – 6(log2x) + 12, where x is a real number. Then the equation xu = 256 has :
(a) No solution for x (b) Exactly one solution for x
(c) Exactly two distinct solutions for x (d) Exactly three distinct solutions for x (CAT 2004)
Sol. Given, u = (log2x)2 – 6(log2x) + 12 = p2 – 6p + 12 (where p = log2x) ...(i)
Also, given, xu = 256
Taking log to the base 2 of both the sides, we have
8
u log2x = log2256 = log228 = 8 log22 ⇒ u log2x = 8 ⇒ u =
= 8/p ...(ii)
log 2 x
8
= p 2 – 6 p + 12
From (i) and (ii)
p
⇒ 8 = p3 – 6p2 + 12 ⇒ p3 – 6p2 + 12p – 8 = 0

⇒ (p – 2)3 = 0 ⇒ p = 2.
[Using (a – b)3 = a3 – 3a2b + 3ab2 – b3]
\ log2x = 2 ⇒ x = 22 = 4

Hence the equation u4 = 256 has exactly one solution.

Ex. 14. If logyx = (a. log z y) = (b. logxz) = ab, then which of the following pairs of values for (a, b) is not
possible ?
 1  1
(a)  –2,  (b) (1, 1) (c) (0.4, 2.5) (d)  π ,  (e) (2, 2)
 2  π
(CAT 2004)
Sol. Given, logyx = (a. logz y) = (b logxz) = ab

log y x log y x
⇒ a= and b =
log z y log x z
 log x   log x 
 log y   log y 
log y x log y x  log x 
3
× =  ×  = (log y x)3 = (ab)3
\a×b=
= 
log z y log x z  log y   log z   log y 
 log z   log x 
   
⇒ ab – a3b3 = 0 ⇒ ab(1 – a2b2) = 0 ⇒ ab = ±1

\ Only option (e) does not satisfy the condition, sin(2, 2) is not a possible value of (a, b).

PRACTICE SHEET
LEVEL–1 (iii) The solution of log99 (log2 (log3 x)) = 0
1. (i) The solution of logp (log2 (log7 x)) = 0 is (a) 4 (b) 9 (c) 44 (d) 99
(a) 2 (b) p2 (c) 72 (d) None of these (BCECE 2006)
(WBJEE 2008) 2. If x = logb a, y = logc b, z = loga c, then xyz is
Similar questions (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) abc (d) a + b + c
1 (UPSEE 2003)

(ii) log27 (log3 x) = ⇒x=
3 2 log 5
3. (i) 7 7 is equal to
(a) 3 (b) 6 (c) 9 (d) 27 (a) 5 (b) 25 (c) log7 25 (d) log7 35
(EAMCET 2004) (KCET 2007)
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-7
Similar question Similar question
2
(ii) The real roots of the equation 7log7 (x – 4x + 5) 1999
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 3 and 4 (d) 3 and 4 (ii) If x = 1999!, then ∑ log n x is equal to
(DCE 2001) x =1
 1 1  (a) – 1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 1999
1999.
4.  +  is
log
 3 12 log 4 12  (AMU 2003)
1 log x log y log z
(a) 0 (b) (c) 1 (d) 2 14. If = = , then the value of xb + c . yc + a
2 b−c c−a a−b
(WBJEE 2009)
5. If a, b, c do not belong to the set {0, 1, 2, 3 .... 9}, then . za + b is
 a + 10b + 102 c  (a) 1 (b) 0 (c) abc (d) xyz
log10  −4 −3 −2  is equal to (KCET 2011)
 10 a + 10 b + 10 c  15. If logx484 – logx4 + logx14641 – logx1331 = 3, then the value
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4 of x is
(EAMCET 2005) (a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 11 (d) None of these
6. Assuming that the base is 10, the value of the expression (DCE 2008)
log 6 + 2 log 5 + log 4 – log 3 – log 2 is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 LEVEL–2
16. If log 5 = a and log 2 = b , then log 300 is equal to
a2 b2 c2 3 3 3
7. log + log + log equals
bc ac ab (a) a + b + 1 (b) 2(a + b + 1)
(c) 2(a + b + 2) (d) (a + b + 4)  (Kerala 2007)
(a) –1 (b) abc (c) 3 (d) 0
17. If log72 = λ, then the value of log49(28) is
8. If logr6 = m and logr 3 = n, then what is logr (r/2) equal
1
to ? (a) (2λ + 1) (b) (2λ + 1)
2
(a) m – n + 1 (b) m + n – 1 (c) 1 – m – n (d) 1 – m + n
3
(CDS 2009) (c) 2 (2λ + 1) (d) (2λ + 1)
2
9. The value of 25
( −1/4 log5 25)
is   (WBJEE 2011)
1 1 18. The value of x satisfying log2(3x – 2) = log 1 x is
(a) (b) – (c) –25 (d) None of these 2
5 25
1 1
2 (a) – 1 (b) − (c) (d) 1
10. If log10x – log10 x = , find the value of x. 3 3
log10 x
(AMU 2011)
1 1
(a) 10 (b) –1 (c) 100, (d) 19. log3 2, log6 2, log12 2 are in
100 1000
(CAT 2004) (a) A.P. (b) G.P. (c) H.P. (d) None of these
11. If log4 2 + log4 4 + log4 x + log4 16 = 6, then x is equal to (Raj PET 2006, 2001)
(a) 4 (b) 8 (c) 32 (d) 64 log 3 5 × log 25 27 × log 49 7
20. (i) The value of is
(KCET 2006) log81 3
2
12. If 2x . 3x + 4 = 7x, then x is equal to (a) 1 (b) (c) 3 (d) 6
3
3 log e 4 4 log e 3 (WBJEE 2010)
(a) (b)
log e 7 − log e 6 log e 6 − log e 7  1 
(ii) log 3 2   is equal to
3 log e 4 4 log e 3 4 4  1024 
(c) (d)
log e 6 − log e 7 log e 7 − log e 6 (a) – 5 (b) – 3 (c) 3 (d) 5
(MPPET 2009) (COMEDK 2010)
13. (i) If n = 1000 !, then the value of 21. If 2
log10 3 3
=3k log10 2
then the value of k is :
1 1 1 3
+ + ... + is (a) 1 (b) 1/2 (c) 2 (d)
log 2 n log 3 n log1000 n 2
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 10 (d) 103 1 1 1
22. + + is equal to :
(KCET 2009, Kerala PET 2006, DCE 2005) (log a bc) + 1 (log b ac) + 1 (log c ab) + 1
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 0 (d) abc
Ch 1-8 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

23. What is the value of (log 1/2 2) (log 1/3 3) (log 1/4 4) 3 3
3 9
..... (log1/10001000) ? (c) M = (d) N =
N M
(a) 1 (b) –1 (c) 1 or –1 (d) 0 (CAT 2003)
(CDS 2007) log x log y log z
36. If = = , then
a 2 + ab + b 2 b 2 + bc + c 2 c 2 + ca + a 2
24. The value of log10 10 10 10 10 ....... to ∞ is
xa – b. yb – c. zc – a =
(a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 1
(a) 0 (b) –1 (c) 1 (d) 2
1 37. If x, y, z are distinct positive numbers different from 1,
25. If loga m = x, then log1/a   equals
m such that (logyx. logzx – logxx) + (logx y.logz y – logy y)
1 1 + (logx z. logy z – logz z) = 0 then xyz equals
(a) (b) –x (c) – (d) x
x x (a) 100 (b) –1 (c) 10 (d) 1
26. Find the value of x if the base is 10 : th th th
38. If a, b, c be the p , q , r terms of a GP, then the value of
5logx – 3log x –1 = 3log x + 1 – 5log x –1 (q – r) log a + (r – p) log b + (p – q) log c is :
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) 100 (d) 10 (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) –1 (d) pqr
log a log b log c 39. If 1, log9 (31–x + 2) and log3 (4.3x –1) are in A.P., then x is
27. If = = , then aabbcc equals :
b–c c–a a–b equal to
(a) –1 (b) 0 (c) abc (d) 1 (a) log43 (b) log34 (c) 1 + log34 (d) log3(3/4)
40. What is the sum, of 'n' terms in the series :
28. The value of log b a log 3 c b log 4 a c is :
 m2   m3   m4 
(a) 1 (b) 10 (c) 24 (d) 0 log m + log   + log  2  + log  3  + ........
 n  n  n 
29. Evaluate x if log3 (3 + x) + log3 (8 – x) – log3 (9x – 8)
n /2 n /2
= 2 – log39  n( n – 1)   mm 
(a) log  ( n + 1)  (b) log  n 
(a) 2 (b) –2 (c) 4 (d) –4 m  n 
30. If x = logabc, y = logbca, z = logcab, then n /2 n /2
 m(1 – n )   m(1 + n ) 
(a) xyz = x + y + z + 2 (b) xyz = x + y + z + 1 (c) log  (1 – m )  (d) log  ( n – 1) 
n  n 
(c) x + y + z = 1 (d) xyz = 1 (CAT 2003)
41. Find x, if log 2 x x + log 2 x = 0:
LEVEL–3 x

(a) 1, 2–5/6
(b) 1, 2–6/5
(c) 4, –2 (d) None of these
1 1 1
31. Given, log ax = , log b x = , log c x = , then log abcx 42. The number of solutions satisfying the given equation
α β γ  2 9 
equals : (log3 x ) – 2 log3 x + 5
x = 3 3 for x ∈ R are :
1
(a) abg (b) (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
αβγ
43. Solve the following equations for x and y.
1
(c) a + b + g (d) 1
α+β+γ log100 |x + y| = , log10 y – log10 | x | = log1004
2
1 1
32. If y = 1 − log x , z = 1 – log y and x = ak, then k =  8 16   10 20 
a a a a (a)  ,  , (–8, –16) (b)  ,  , (+10, 20)
3 3   3 3 
1 1 1 1
(a) 1 – log z (b) (c) (d)  10 20 
a a 1 – log a z 1 + log z a 1 – log z a (c)  – , –  , (70, 20) (d) None of these
 3 3 
33. Solve for x if a > 0 and 2 logxa + logaxa + 3 log a 2 x a = 0
44. If log (a + c) + log (a – 2b + c) = 2 log (a – c), then a, b, c are in
(a) a3/2 (b) a1/2 (c) a3/4 (d) a–4/3 (a) A.P. (b) G.P. (c) H.P. (d) None of these
34. Find the value of x, if log2 (5.2x + 1), log4(21–x + 1) and 3x 2
45. If 5
log10 2
= 2( x + 1/2)log10 25 , then the value of x is :
1 are in A.P.
(a) 1 + log52 (b) 1 – log25 (c) log210 (d) log25 + 1 1 1
(a) –1 (b) 2 (c) (d) –
(AIEEE 2002) 2 3
1 46. The number log27 is :
35. If log 3 M + 3log 3 N = 1 + log 0.008 5, then
3 (a) a prime number (b) a rational number
9 9 99 (c) an irrational number (d) an integer    (DCE 2000)
(a) M = (b) N =
N M
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-9
47. If x, y, z are in G.P. and (log x – log 2y), (log 2y – log 3z) 49. The value of
and (log 3z – log x) are in A.P., then x, y, z are the lengths 
of the sides of a triangle which is :  1 1 1 1 1
6 + log 3  4– 4– 4– 4– ... is
(a) acute angled (b) equilateral 2 
3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2
(c) right angled (d) obtuse angled 8 4
(a) (b) (c) 8 (d) 4
(Rajasthan PET 2006) 3 2 3
48. In a right-angled triangle, the sides are a, b and c with c as (IIT 2012)
hypotenuse and c – b ≠ 1, c + b ≠ 1. Then the value of 3/4(log 2 x ) 2
+ (log 2 x ) – 5/4
50. The equation x = 2 has
 log c + b a + log c – b a  (a) at least one real solution
  is
 2 log c + b a × log c – b a  (b) exactly one irrational solution
1 (c) exactly three real solutions
(a) –1 (b) (c) 1 (d) 2
2 (d) all of the above. (IIT 1989)
(WBJEE 2010)

ANSWERS
1. (i) (c) (ii) (d) (iii) (b) 2. (b) 3. (i) (b) (ii) (b) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (a)
10. (c) 11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (i) (b) (ii) (c) 14. (a) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (d) 19. (c)
20. (i) (c) (ii) (b) 21. (d) 22. (a) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (d) 26. (c) 27. (d) 28. (c)
29. (c) 30. (a) 31. (d) 32. (b) 33. (d) 34. (b) 35. (b) 36. (c) 37. (d) 38. (a)
39. (d) 40. (d) 41. (b) 42. (d) 43. (b) 44. (c) 45. (d) 46. (c) 47. (d) 48. (c)
49. (d) 50. (c)

HINTS AND SOLUTIONS

1. (i) logp (log2 (log7 x)) = 0
a2 b2 c2  a 2 b2 c2 
⇒ (log2 (log7 x) = p0 = l [Using logam = x ⇒ m = ax] 7. log + log + log = log  × × 
bc ca ab  bc ac ab 
⇒ log7 x = 21 = 2 ⇒ x = 72.  a 2 b2 c2 
log e a log e b = log  2 2 2  = log 1 = 0.
2. Hint. x = logba ⇒ x = , y = log c b ⇒ y = a b c 
log e b log e c
8. Given, logr 6 = m and logr 3 = n
log e c
z = logac ⇒ z = . Since, logr 6 = logr (2 × 3) = logr2 + logr3
log e a
⇒ logr 2 + logr 3 = m
2log 5 log 5 2
log x
⇒ logr 2 + n = m ⇒ logr 2 = m – n
3. (i) 7 7 = 7 7 = 5           Using a a = x 
2
Now, logr (r/2) = logrr – logr2 = 1 – (m – n) = 1 – m + n.
log ( x 2 − 4 x + 5)
(ii) 7 7 =x–1  1 
 – 4 log5 25  
2
⇒ x – 4x + 5 = x – 1. Now, solve. 9. 25  = 5[2(–1/4) log5 25)]
1 1 (–1/2 log5 25) –1/ 2 1
+ = 5 = 5log5 (25) = 25–1/2 =
4. Hint. = log123 + log124 5
log 3 12 log 4 12
log x
 1  (Q a a = x )
 Using log a x = log a  10. Given, log10x – log10 x=
2
 x 
log10 x
 4  a + 10b + 102 c    x  2
5. Hint. Given exp. = log10 10  2  ⇒ log10   = log x
  a + 10b + 10 c    x 10
6. Given exp. = log 6 + 2 log5 + log 4 – log 3 – log 2 2 1 2
⇒ log10 x = ⇒ log10 x =
= log 6 + log (5)2 + log 4 – log 3 – log 2 log10 x 2 log10 x
= log 6 + log 25 + log 4 – (log 3 + log 2) ⇒ (log10 x)2 = 4 ⇒ log10 x = ± 2
= log (6 × 25 × 4) – log (3 × 2) If log10 x = + 2 then x = 102 = 100
 6 × 25 × 4  If log10 x = –2 then x = 10–2 = 1/100.
2
= log 
3 × 2  = log10 100 = log10 10 11. Hint. Given, log4 (2 × 4 × x × 16) = 6 ⇒ log4 (128x) = 6
 
= 2 log10 10 = 2 × 1 = 2. ⇒ 128x = 46   [Using loga x = n ⇒ x = an]

Ch 1-10 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

12. Hint. 2x . 3x + 4 = 7x ⇒ loge (2x . 3x + 4) = loge 7x

⇒ log3 2, log6 2, log12 2 and in H.P.
Taking log to the same base on both sides  1 
 Using log a x = log a 
⇒ x log 2 + (x + 4) log 3 = x log 7
 x 
⇒ x (log 7 – log 2 – log 3) = 4 log 3 3
log 3 5 × log 25 27 × log 49 7 log 3 5 × log 52 3 × log 72 7
1 1 1 20. (i) =
13. (i) Given, 1000! = n. Now, + + ... + log81 3 log 34 3
log 2 n log 3 n log1000 n
3 1
log 3 5 ×
log 5 3 × log 7 7
 1  2 2
= logn 2 + logn 3 + ... + logn 1000  Using = log a b  =
 log a  1
b log 3 3
4
= logn (2 × 3 × 4 × ... × 1000) = logn (1000!) = logn n = 1.
 m m 1 
14. Hint.
log x log y log z
= = = k (suppose)  Using log a n x = n log a x, log a n x = n log a x 
b−c c−a a−b
= 3 (log3 5 × log5 3) = 3 × 1 = 3  [Using logb a × loga b = 1]
⇒ loge x = k (b – c) ⇒ x = ek (b – c) 1 4 10
log y = k (c – a) ⇒ y = ek (c – a) 3 2+
2 2 4
e (ii) Hint. Since 4. 4 = 2 .(2 ) 3 = 2 3 = 2 3 and
log z = k (a – b) ⇒ z = ek (a – b)
e 1024 = 210, therefore,
\ xb + c . yc + a . za + b − 10
 1  − 10
= ek (b – c) (b + c) . ek (c – a) (c + a) . ek (a – b) (a + b) log 3 2   = log 210/3 (2 ) = 10 log 2 2
4. 4  1024 
Now, complete. 3
15. Hint. logx 484 – logx 4 + logx 14641 – logx 1331 = 3  m m 
⇒ logx (22 × 112) – logx (22) + logx (114) – logx (113) = 3
= – 3 × 1 = – 3.  Using log a n x = n log a x .

⇒ 2 logx 2 + 2 logx 11 – 2 logx 2 + 4 logx 11 – 3 logx 11 = 3 3/ 2
21. 2
log10 3 3
= 3k log10 2 ⇒ 2log10 (3 )
= 3k log10 2
⇒ 3 logx 11 = 3 ⇒ logx 11 = 1 ⇒ x1 = 11 ⇒ x = 11.
log 2 (33/ 2 ) . log10 2
2 ⇒ 2
= 3k log10 2 [Using logax = logbx . logab]
 2
16. Hint. log 3 300 = log 3 ( 3 ) .10  log10 2
⇒  2
log 2 (33/ 2 )  3/ 2
 = (3k )log10 2 ⇒ 2log 2 3 = 3k
= 2 log 3
3 + 2 log 3
10 = 2 + 2 log 3
(2 × 5)
3
2
17. log 49 (28) = log 72 (7 × 2 ) = log 72 7 + log 72 2
2 ⇒ 3

3/2
= 3k ⇒ k = (Q a log a x = x)
2
1 2 1 1 1
= log 7 7 + log 7 2 22. + +
2 2 log a bc + 1 log b ac + 1 log c ab + 1
 1 m m  1 1 1
 Using log a n x = n log a x, log a n ( x ) = n log a x  = + +
log a bc + log a a log b ac + log b b log c ab + log c c
1 1
= + λ = ( 2λ + 1) . 1 1 1
2 2 = + +
18. Given, log 2 (3 x − 2) = log 1 x ⇒ log 2 (3 x − 2) = log 2− 1 x log a (abc) log b (abc) log c (abc)
2 = logabc(a) + logabc(b) + logabc(c) = logabcabc = 1
1  1  1 
⇒ log 2 (3 x − 2) =
log 2 x     Using log a n x = log a x 
−1  n   Using log a b = log a 
 b 
⇒ log2 (3x – 2) = (– 1) log2 x = log2 x– 1

1
[Using n loga x = loga xn]
23. (log1/22) (log1/33) (log1/44) ......... log
( 1 1000
1000
)

⇒ (3x – 2) = = x– 1
⇒ 3x2 – 2x – 1 = 0  log 2   log 3   log 4   log 1000 
x =  .......... 
1 1 1 1 
1  log   log   log   log 
⇒ (3x + 1) (x – 1) = 0 ⇒ x = −
or 1  2 3 4  1000 
3
1  log 2   log 3  log 4   log 1000 

⇒x = 1, since log2 (3x – 2) is not defined when x = −. =      ..........  
3  – log 2   − log 3  − log 4   – log 1000 
19. Since log2 3 + log2 12 = log2 (3 × 12) = log2 36 = log2 62 1
(Q log = log 1 – log 2 = 0 – log 2 = – log 2 and
= 2 log2 6, therefore, 2
log2 3, log2 6 and log2 12 in A.P. similarly for others)
1 1 1 = (–1) × (–1) × (–1) × ......... × (–1) = –1
⇒ , , and in H.P. (Q Number of terms is odd )
log 2 3 log 2 6 log 2 12
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-11
24. Given exp. = log10 (101/2 101/4 101/8 .......... to ∞) 1 1 1
+ +
x +1 y +1 z +1
1 1 1 
 + + + ........... to ∞  \ abc = (abc)

= log10 10 2 4 8 
1 1 1
1 1 1 
⇒ + + = 1 ⇒ (y + 1) (z + 1) + (x + 1)
=  + + + ........ to ∞  . log10 10 x +1 y +1 z +1
2 4 8  (z + 1) + (x + 1) (y + 1) = (x + 1) (y + 1) (z + 1)
[Using loga xn = n loga x]
⇒ yz + y + z + 1 + xz + x + z + 1 + xy + y + x + 1 = xyz + xy
1/2
= ×1 =1 + yz + zx + x + y + z + 1
(1 – 1/2)
⇒ x + y + z + 2 = xyz.
 a 
 Using sum of GP of infinite terms = 1 – r  1 1 1
  31. a = ,β= ,γ=
log a x log b x log c x
25. logam = x ⇒ ax = m ⇒ a = logx a, b = logx b, g = logx c
log1/a 1/m = y ⇒ (1/a)y = 1/m ⇒ m = ay ⇒ ay = ax ⇒ y = x ⇒ a + b + g = logx a + logx b + logx c = logx(abc)
26. 5log x – 3log x –1 = 3log x + 1 – 5log x –1 1 1
⇒ 5log x – 3log x × 3–1 = 3log x. 3 – 5log x. 5–1 ⇒ = = log abc x.
α + β + γ log x (abc)
1 log x 1 1
⇒ 5log x – × 3 = 3 × 3log x – × 5log x 32. y = = a –(1 – log a x )
3 5 1– log a x
a
 1  log x  1 10 6 1 1
⇒ 3 + 3 = 1 +  5log x ⇒ × 3log x = × 5log x ⇒ logay =
and log a z =
 3  5 3 5 1 – log a x 1 – log a y
log x 2
3log x 6 3 9 3 3 1 1 – log a x

⇒ log x
= × = ⇒  =  \ logaz =
=
5 5 10 25 5 5  1  – log a x
2
⇒ log10 x = 2 ⇒ x = 10 = 100 1– 
 1 – log a x 
log a log b log c 1 1
27. Let = = =k
b–c c–a a–b ⇒ – log a z = –1 +
⇒ = 1 – log a z
log a x log a x
⇒ log a = k(b – c), log b = k(c – a), log c = k(a – b) 1
Now let a ab bc c = p. Then, ⇒ loga x =

1 – log a z
log p = loga a + logb b + logc c = a log a + b log b + c log c 1
1 – log a z 1
= a × k (b – c) + b × k(c – a) + c × k (a – b) ⇒ x=a
= ak ⇒ k = .
= k(ab – ac + bc – ba + ca – cb) = 0 1 – log a z
⇒ log p = log 1      (Putting log 1 for 0) 1 1 1
33. Since log ax a = = = and
⇒ p = 1 ⇒ aa bb cc = 1. log a ax log a a + log a x 1 + log a x
m m 1 1 1
28. Using the formula log a n x = log a x, we have log a 2 x a =
2
= 2
=
n log a a x log a a + log ax x 2 log a a + log ax x
b log a log 3c b log 4a c = log b1/ 2
a log c1/3 b log a1/ 4 c 1
=
= 2 logba × 3 logcb × 4 logac 2 + log a x
log a log b log c Given, 2 logxa + logaxa + 3 log a 2 x a = 0
= 24 × × = 24.
log b log c log a 2 1 3
⇒ + + =0
29. log3 (3 + x) + log3 (8 – x) – log3 (9x – 8) = 2 – log39 log a x 1 + log a x 2 + log a x
⇒ log3 (3 + x) + log3 (8 – x) – log3 (9x – 8) + log39 = 2 2 1 3
Now let logax = t, then + + =0
 (3 + x) (8 – x) (9)  t 1+ t 2 + t
⇒ log 3 
(9 x – 8) =2 ⇒ 2(1 + t) (2 + t) + t(2 + t) + 3t (1 + t) = 0
 
9(24 + 8 x – 3 x – x 2 ) ⇒ 2(2 + 2t + t + t2) + 2t + t2 + 3t + 3t2 = 0

⇒ = 32 = 9 ⇒ 4 + 6t + 2t2 + 2t + t2 + 3t + 3t2 = 0
(9 x – 8)
⇒ 6t2 + 11t + 4 = 0
⇒ –x2 + 5x + 24 = 9x – 8 ⇒ x2 + 4x – 32 = 0
⇒ (3t + 4) (2t + 1) = 0 ⇒ t = –1/2, – 4/3
⇒ (x + 8) (x – 4) = 0 ⇒ x = – 8, 4. 1 –1/2
Taking the positive value x = 4. When t = – 1/2, logax = – ⇒ x = a
2
30. x = logabc ⇒ ax = bc ⇒ ax + 1 = abc ⇒ a = (abc)1/(x + 1) 4 4 –4/ 3
When t = – , log a x = – ⇒ x = a
Similarly, b = (abc)1/(y + 1), c = (abc)1/(z + 1) 3 3
Ch 1-12 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

34. Given, log2 (5.2x

+ 1), log4 (21 – x
+ 1), 1 are in A.P.
(log x) 2 (log y ) 2 (log z ) 2
x 1 – x
⇒ log2 (5.2 + 1) + 1 = 2 log4 (2 + 1)
\ LHS = –1 + –1 + –1
log y. log z log z. log x log x. log y
1− x
⇒ log2 (5.2x + 1) + log22 = 2 log 22 (2
+ 1)
(log x)3 + (log y )3 + (log z )3 – 3log x. log y. log z
= =0
1 log x. log y. log z
⇒ log2 (5.2x + 1).2 = 2 ×
log 2 (21 – x + 1)
2 (given)
 1 
Q log a n x = log a x  ⇒ (log x)3 + (log y)3 + (log z)3 – 3 log x. log y. log z = 0
 n  ⇒ log x + log y + log z = 0
⇒ log2 (10.2x + 2) = log2 (21 – x + 1)
(if a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc)
2
⇒ 10.2x + 2 = 21 – x + 1 ⇒ 10.2x + 2 = x + 1 ⇒ log xyz = 0 ⇒ xyz = 1.
2 38. Let h be the first term and k be the common ratio of a GP,
Let 2x = a, then
then
2 2 2
10. a + 2 = + 1 ⇒ 10a + 1 = ⇒ 10a + a – 2 = 0 a = hk p – 1, b = hk q – 1, c = hk r – 1
a a
\ (q – r) log a + (r – p) log b + (p – q) log c
2 2
⇒ (5 a – 2) (2a + 1) = 0 ⇒ a = ⇒ 2 =
x = log [hkp –1]q – r + log [hkq –1]r – p + log[hkr –1]p – q
5 5 = log(hq – r + r – p + p – q) (kp – 1)q – r (kq –1)r – p (kr –1)p – q
 x 1
Q 2 > 0, reject a = –  = log(hº kº) = log 1 = 0.
 2
2 39. 1, log9 (31 – x + 2), log3 (4.3x –1) are in A.P.
x
⇒ log 2 = log ⇒ log33 , log3 (31– x + 2)1/2, log3 (4.3x – 1) are in A.P.

5
⇒ x log2 2 = log2 2 – log2 5 ⇒ x = 1 – log2 5. ⇒ 3, (31 – x + 2)1/2, (4.3x – 1) are in G.P.

1  1− x 1− x 1 1− x
35. log 3 M + 3 log3 N = 1 + log 0.008 5
3
Since log 9 (3 + 2) = log 32 (3 + 2) = 2 log 3 (3 + 2),
⇒ log3 M1/3 + log3N3 = 1 + log0.0085 1
1

⇒ log3 M1/3 N3 = 1 + log0.0085 using log a n x = log a x = log 3 (31 − x + 2) 2 

n 
(1 + log 5)
⇒ M1/3 N3 = 3
0.008 ⇒ [[31–x + 2]1/2]2 = 3.(4.3x – 1)
log
⇒ M1/3 N3 = 31 . 3 0.008

5 ⇒ 31 – x + 2 = 4.3x + 1 – 3
27 3 log 0.0085 3
⇒ N 9 =
(3 ) ⇒ 4.3x + 1 – 31– x = 5 ⇒ 12.3x – x = 5
M 3

⇒ N 9
= (
27 log(0.2)3 (5 )
3
3
) Let 3x = y, then 12y –
3
y
= 5 ⇒ 12y2 – 5y –3 = 0
M
27 log0.2 5  m  1 3
⇒ N 9 = (3 ) Q log a n x m = log a x ⇒ (3y + 1) (4y – 3) = 0 ⇒ y = –
,
M  n  3 4
27 1 9 3
⇒ N 9 = (3log1/5 5 ) = (27) (3–1 ) = . \ Rejecting the negative value, we have 3x =

M M M 4
3
36. Let each ratio = k and base = e ⇒ x = log 3
.
4
⇒ loge x = k(a2 + ab + b2)
m2 m3
⇒ (a – b) loge x = k (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2) 40. S = log m + log + log 2 + ......... n terms
3 n n
k (a – b3 )
⇒ loge xa – b = k(a3 – b3) ⇒ xa – b = e
 m m 2 3
mn   m(1+ 2 + 3 + 4 + ........ + n ) 
k (b 3
– c3 ) 3
– a3 ) = log  m · · 2 ......... n –1  = log  (1+ 2 + 3 + ....... ( n –1) 
Similarly, yb – c = e , z c – a = ek (c  n n n   n 
3
k (a – b3 ) 3
– c3 ) 3
– a3 )
\ xa – b . yb – c . zc – a = e
. e k (b . ek (c  n ( n + 1)  n/ 2
m 2   mn + 1 
= e
k [ a 3 – b3 + b3 – c 3 + c 3 – a 3 ]
= e = 1. 0 = log  n ( n – 1)  = log  n – 1  .
 n 2  n 
log x log x (log x) 2
37. logyx . logzx – logxx = . –1= –1
log y log z log y. log z 41. log 2 x x + log 2 x x = 0 ...(i)
(log y ) 2 Let log2 x = t. Then,
Similarly, logx y . logz y – logy y = – 1 and 1
log x. log z log 2 x
log 2 x 2 t /2
(log z ) 2 log 2 x x = = =
logx z. logy z – logz z = –1 log 2 2 x log 2 2 + log 2 x 1 + t
log x. log y
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-13

log 2 x log 2 x t 3 x 2 log10 2

 1
 x +  log10 25
log 2 x= = = 45. 5 = 2 2
x
log 2 2 x log 2 + 1 log x 1 + t /2
2 2  2x + 1
2 3 x 2 log10 2   × 2 log10 5
\ Substituting in (i), we get ⇒ 5
= 2 2  = 2(2 x + 1) log10 5
t /2 t t 2t 3 x 2 log10 2
+ =0⇒ + =0 ⇒ 5
= 2(2 x + 1) log 2 5. log10 2
1 + t 1 + t /2 2 + 2t 2 + t (using loga x = logb x . loga b)
⇒ t(2 + t) + 2t (2 + 2t) = 0 ⇒ 2t + t2 + 4t + 4t2 = 0
3 x 2 log10 2
= [2log 2 5
(2 x + 1)
]log10 2
⇒ 5

6 2
⇒ 5t2 + 6t = 0 ⇒ t(5t + 6) = 0 ⇒ t = 0 or –
3 x log 2
⇒ (5 ) 10 = (5

2 x + 1 log10 2
) log x
     Using a a = x 
5
6 ⇒ 3x2 = 2x + 1 ⇒ 3x2 – 2x – 1 = 0

⇒ log2 x = 0 ⇒ x = 20 = 1 and log2 x = –
⇒ x = 2–6/5
5
⇒ (x – 1) (3x + 1) = 0
\ x = 1 or 2–6/5 1
⇒ x = 1, –
.
42. Taking log of both the sides to base 3, we have, 3
46. Let us assume log27 be a rational number. Then,
 2 9  3
(log 3 x) – 2 log 3 x + 5 log3x = log33 = 2 (Q log33 = 1)
3/2
p
log27 = , where p,q ∈ I and q ≠ 0
⇒ 2(log3x)3 – 9(log3x)2 + 10 log3x – 3 = 0 q
⇒ 2y3 – 9y2 + 10y – 3 = 0 (Take log3x = y) ⇒ 2p/q = 7 ⇒ 2p = 7q
This is not true as 2 is even and 7 is odd.
⇒ (y – 1) (y – 3) (2y – 1) = 0 (Factorising)
\ Hence our assumption that log27 is a rational number is
⇒ (log3x– 1) (log3x – 3) (2 log3x – 1) = 0 wrong.
⇒ log3x = 1, log3x = 3, 2 log3x = 1 ⇒ x = 31, x = 33, x2 = 31 \ log27 is an irrational number.
⇒ x = (3, 27, 3 )
47. x, y, z are in G.P. ⇒ y2 = xz ...(i)

\ There are three solutions. (log x – log 2y), (log 2y – log 3z) and (log 3z – log x) are in A.P.
1 ⇒ 2(log 2y – log 3z) = (log x – log 2y) + (log 3z – log x)
1
43. log100|x + y| = ⇒ | x + y | = 100 2 3
2 ⇒ 3 log 2y = 3 log 3z ⇒ log 2y = log 3z ⇒ y = z .
2
⇒ |x + y| = 10 as (–10 is inadmissible) ...(i) \ Putting the value of y in (i), we have
log10y – log10| x | = log1004 2
3  9
y  z  = xz ⇒ x = z.
⇒ log10 = log102 22 = log10 2 2  4
|x| Now, by the cosine rule of triangles,
m C
 m y 2 + z 2 – x2
          Using log a n ( x ) = log a x cos A = , x
 n 2 yz y
y where x is the length of the
⇒ = 2 ⇒ y = 2 | x | ...(ii) B
|x| side opposite ∠A. A z
2 2
Substituting the value of y from (ii) in (i), we get 3  2 9  9 2 81 2
 z + z –  z z + z2 – z
| x + 2| x || = 10 2  4  = 4 16
10 ⇒ cos A =
If x > 0, then 3x = 10 ⇒ x = 3 3z 2
3 2× z× z
2
If x < 0, then x = 10. 9 81
10 20 +1–
\ If x = , then y = and if x = 10, y = 20. = 4 16 = 1 ×  36 + 16 – 81  = – 29 < 0
3 3 3 3  16  48
44. Given, log (a + c) + log (a – 2b + c) = 2 log (a – c)  cos A is less than 0, i.e, negative, ∠A is obtused and the
⇒ log (a + c) (a – 2b + c) = log (a – c)2
triangle is obtuse angled.
⇒ (a + c) (a – 2b + c) = (a – c)2
48. In a right angled triangle with a, b as sides and c as
2 2 2 2
hypotenuse,
⇒ a + ca – 2ba – 2bc + ac + c = a – 2ac + c
c2 = a2 + b2 (Pythagoras’ Theorem)
⇒ 4ac = 2ba + 2bc ⇒ 2ac = b(a + c)
log c + b a + log c – b a
2ac Now, given expression =
\b=
⇒ a, b, c are in H.P. 2 × log c + b a × log c – b a
a+c 1 1 1 
=  +
2  log c – b a log c + b a 
Ch 1-14 IIT FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS CLASS – IX

1 1 –2
= [log a (c – b) + log a (c + b)] = [log a [(c – b) (c + b)]
3
= 6 + log 3   = 6 – 2 log 3 3/2 = 6 – 2 = 4.
2 2 2
2 2
1 2 2 1 2
= [log a (c – b )] = log a a = log a a = 1.
2 2 2
3/4(log 2 x )
50. Given, x + log 2 x − 5 / 4 = 2
49. Let
A=6+ Taking log to the base 2 of both the sides, we have
  3 (log 2 x) 2 + (log 2 x) – 5/4 
log 3 
1
4–
1
4–
1
4–
1
4–
1  4  log2x = log 2 2
....
2 
3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 1/2 1 1
= log 2 2 = log 2 2 =
2 2
1 1 1 1
Let p = 4– 4– 4– 4– .... Let us assume log2x = a. Then,
3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2
3 2 5 1 3 2
 a + a –  a = ⇒ 3a + 4a – 5a = 2
1 1 1 4 4 2
⇒p=
4– p ⇒ p2 = 4 – p ⇒ p2 + p – 4= 0
3 2 3 2 3 2 ⇒ 3a3 + 4a2 – 5a – 2 = 0.
Using hit and trial method check for a = 1.
1 1 1 17 f (a) = 3a3 + 4a2 – 5a – 2 ⇒ f(1) = 3.13 + 4.12 – 5.1 – 2 = 0
– ± + 16 – ±
3 2 18
⇒ p=
= 3 2 3 2 \ (a – 1) is a factor of 3a3 + 4a2 – 5a – 2
2 2 \ Now by dividing 3a3 + 4a2 – 5a – 2 by (a – 1), we get
(Applying the formula for roots of Q.E.) 3a3 + 4a2 – 5a – 2 = (a – 1) (3a + 1) (a + 2) = 0
16 –18 8 3 1
⇒p=
or = or – ⇒ a = 1 or a = – or a = – 2
3× 2 2 3× 2 2 3 2 2 3
1
–3 8 ⇒ log2x = 1 or log2x = – or log2x = – 2
Neglecting p = as p ≥ 0, we have p = 3
2 3 2 1
 1 8  4 ⇒ x = 21 = 2 or x = 2–1/3 or x = 2–2 =
× 4
\ A = 6 + log 3 
 = 6 + log 3  9  \ The given equation has exactly three real solutions,
2
3 2 3 2  2
wherein x = 2–1/3 is irrational.

SELF ASSESSMENT SHEET

1. If log2 [log7(x2 – x + 37)] = 1, then what could be the value (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) lmn (d) 2
of x ? a – 2b
6. If a = log12m and b = log18m, then equals
(a) 3 (b) 5 (c) 4 (d) None of these b – 2a
(CAT 1997) (a) log32 (b) log23 (c) 0 (d) 1
7. If x = log2aa, y = log3a2a, z = log4a3a, then xyz – 2yz equals
2. log 3
3 3 3 3 =
(a) a3 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) –1
31 15 7 15
(a) (b) (c) (d) n
2x
32 16 16 8 8. The sum of n terms of the series ∑ log 3x – 1 is :
x =1
3. Find the sum of ‘n’ terms of the series :
2 3 4 3 n – 1  n /2  2n – 1 
n /2
x x x x (a) log  n + 1  (b) log  n + 1 
log 2   + log 4   + log8   + log16   + .........
2  3 
 y  y  y  y
n /2 n /2
x
4n
x  3n + 1   2n + 1 
(a) log 2   (b) n log 2   (c) log  n – 1  (d) log  n – 1 
 y  y 2  3 
n – 1 n ( n + 1) (UPSEE 2011)
x  1 x
(c) log 2  n – 1  (d) log 2   9. The number of meaningful solutions of
y  2  y   log4(x – 1) = log2 (x – 3) is
4. If logxa, ax/2 and logbx are in GP, then x is equal to : (a) zero (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
(a) loga (logba) (b) loga (logea) – loga (logeb) (IIT 2001)
1/2
(c) –loga (logab) (d) both (a) and (b)  1 1
log 2.5 + +
1
+ ...... + ∞  


10. The value of 0.16  3 32 33  is:
log x log y log z
5. If = = , then xyz is equal to :
l + m – 2n m + n – 2l n + l – 2m (a) –1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) None of these
(AMU 2009)
LOGARITHMS Ch 1-15

SELF ASSESSMENT SHEET

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (d)

HINTS AND SOLUTIONS

1. log2 [log7(x2 – x + 37)] = 1 log a log 2a
7. x = log2a a = , y = log 3a 2a =
⇒ log7(x2 – x + 37) = 21 = 2 log 2a log 3a
⇒ x2 – x + 37 = 72 = 49 ⇒ x2 – x – 12 = 0
log 3a
Now solve for x. z = log 4 a 3a =

log 4a
1 1 1 1
+ + +
2. Given expression = log 32 4 8 16 log a log 2a log 3a log 2a log 3a
3 \ xyz – 2yz =
. . –2 .
15 15 log 2a log 3a log 4a log 3a log 4a
15/16
= log 31/ 2 3 = × 2 log 3 3 = .
16 8 log a log 2a log a – 2 log 2a
3. Given series = –2 =
log 4a log 4a log 4a
2 3 4
x x x x
= log2   + log 22   + log 23   + log 24   + ...... log a – log (2a ) 2 log a /4a 2 log (4a ) –1 −1.log 4a
y
  y
  y
   y = = = = = – 1.
log 4a log 4a log (4a ) log 4a
x x x x
= log 2   + log 2   + log 2   + log 2   + ....n terms n
2x  21   22   23   2n 
y
  y
  y
   y 8. ∑ log 3x –1 = log  0  + log  1  + log  2  + ... + log  n – 1 
3  3  3  3 
x x x x  x =1
= log 2  . . . . ...... n terms 
 y y y y   21 22 23 2n 
n
= log  0 . 1 . 2 . ........ n – 1 
x  x 3 3 3 3 
= log2   = n log 2   .
y
   y   n ( n + 1) n/ 2
 21 + 2 + 3 + ....... + n    2n + 1 
2 2
4. logxa, ax/2, logbx are in GP ⇒ [ax/2]2 = logxa . logbx = log  1 + 2 + 3 + ...... + ( n – 1)  = log
 = log  n ( n – 1)
 
3    3n – 1 
 3 2
log a log x
⇒ ax = .
log x log b 9. log4(x – 1) = log2(x – 3) ⇒ log 22 ( x − 1) = log2(x – 3)
log a 1
⇒ ax = = log b a ⇒ log 2 ( x –1) = log 2 ( x – 3) ⇒ log 2 ( x –1) = 2 log 2 ( x – 3)

log b 2
⇒ x = loga (logba)  n n 
 log e a   Using log a m (b ) = m log a b 
= log a   = log a (log e a ) – log a (log e b)
 log e b  ⇒ log2(x – 1) = log2(x – 3)2
log x log y log z ⇒ (x – 1) = (x – 3)2 ⇒ x – 1 = x2 – 6x + 9
5. Let = = = k . Then
l + m – 2n m + n – 2l n + l – 2m ⇒ x2 – 7x + 10 = 0 ⇒ (x – 2) (x – 5) = 0 ⇒ x = 2 or 5
log x = k(l + m – 2n), log y = k(m + n – 2l); log z = k(n + l – 2m) Neglecting x = 2 as log2(x – 3) is defined when x > 2.
⇒ log x + log y + log z = k(l + m – 2n) + k(m + n – 2l)
⇒ There is only one meaningful solution of the given
+ k(n + l – 2m) equation.
⇒ log(xyz) = 0 ⇒ log(xyz) = log 1 ⇒ xyz = 1. 1/2 1/2
 1 1
log 2.5  + +
1
+ ....... ∞  
   1/3  
2 log 2.5 
a – 2b log12 m – 2 log18 m   3 32 33  

1 – 1/3  
6. = 10. (0.16)  = (0.4) 
b – 2a log18 m – 2 log12 m
 First term 
log m
–2
log m Q Sum of infinite GP = 1 – common ratio 
log 12 log 18 log m log18 – 2 log m log12  
= =
log m log m log m log12 – 2 log m log 18
–2
log 18 log 12  log5/ 2   
 1   1 
log5/ 2  2   log −1 (2)−1 
 2

=  (0.4)  =
   (0.4)  = 0.4 (2/5) 
log18 – 2 log 12 log (32 × 2) – 2 log(22 × 3)
= =
log12 – 2 log 18 log(22 × 3) – 2 log (32 × 2)  bn n 
Q log a m = m log a b 
2 log 3 + log 2 – 4 log 2 – 2 log 3 –3 log 2 log 2
= = = = log 3 2. log 2/5 2 log 0.4 2
2 log 2 + log 3 – 4 log 3 − 2 log 2 –3log 3 log 3 = 0.4 = 0.4 = 2.     Using a log a x = x 