Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

07
Chapter
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Highlights:
7.1 Introduction 7.4 Logarithmic function
7.2 Exponential function 7.4.1 Laws of logarithmic operations
7.2.1 Properties of Exponents 7.4.2 Relation between natural and
7.2.2 Graph of exponential function common logarithms
7.2.3 Applications of exponential functions 7.4.3 Graph of logarithmic function
7.3 Surds 7.5 Some worked out Examples
7.3.1 Formulae of surd 7.6 Exercise
7.3.2 Rationalization of surd

7.1 Introduction: The main object of this chapter is to review the nature and properties of
exponents, exponential functions, logarithms and logarithmic functions. The concept of
exponential and logarithmic functions is very useful in various parts of mathematics. We
shall look at some very important applications of these functions here and in the chapter of
mathematics of finance. Until twenty years ago, students labored with extensive tables of
logarithms and exponential values, but today we are fortunate to have these numerical
values at our fingertips via the scientific calculator and computer.

7.2 Exponential function: If a, x R, a > 0 and a ≠ 1 then the function f(x) = ax is called
an exponential function. Here, “a” is called ‘base’ and “x” is called the ‘exponent’.
Example: f(x) = 5ex
f(x) = 10x
f(x) = (2.5) x + 1 are exponential function
But f(x) = x10 is not an exponential function because the exponent “10” is not variable.

7.2.1 Properties of Exponents:

1. Any number to the power 0 is 1
i.e., a0 = 1
2. Always add exponents when multiplying two powers of the same base
i.e., ax . ay = a x +y
3. When dividing ax by a y , Subtract exponents

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

ax
i.e., y = a x – y
a
4. The quantity ax to the power y is equal to axy
  y
i.e., a x = axy
5. The base ab to the power x is equal to ax times ay
i.e., (ab)x = ax. by
6. The base a/b to the power x is equal to ax over bx
x
a ax
i.e.,   = x
b b
7. A base to the power –x is equivalent to one over that base to the power x
1
i.e., a-x = x
a

Example: Apply the law of exponents to simplify the following expression and write the
result with positive exponents.
3 x ( x 2 ) y 5
4 x4 y2
Solution: Given that,
3 x ( x 2 ) y 5 3 x12 y 5
=
4 x4 y2 4 x4 y2
3 x 1 y 5
=
4 x4 y2
3 1 4 52
= x .y
4
3 5 3
= x .y
4
3y3
= (Answer)
4x5

1 1 1
Example: Show that a b a c
 b c ba
 1
1 x  x 1 x  x 1  x  x c b
c a

1 1 1
Solution: L.H.S = a b a c
 b c ba

1 x  x 1 x  x 1  x  x c b
c a

1 1 1
= b c
 c a

1  x .x  x .x
a a
1  x .x  x .x
b b
1  x .x  x c .x b
c a

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

x  a .1 x b .1 x  c .1
= a  
x (1  x a .x b  x a .x c ) x b (1  x b .x c  x b .x a ) x c (1  x c .x a  x c .x b )
[Multiplying both the numerator & the denominator of first, second and third terms by
x  a , x b and x  c respectively.]
x a x b x c
= a  
x  x b  x  c x b  x  c  x  a x  c  x  a  x b
( x  a  x b  x  c )
= a
( x  x b  x  c )
= 1 = R.H.S (Proved)

8. Graph of exponential function: The graph of an exponential function is easy to

sketch. Consider the function f(x) = 2 x . To sketch the graph we determine the
following table of ordered pairs, which satisfy the function.

x 0 1 2 3 -1 -2 -3
f(x) = 2 x 1 2 4 8 0.5 0.25 0.125

Using the above ordered pairs we get the following graph:

f(x) = 2 x
6
5
4
3
2
1
-4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Figure 7.1

From the graph we see that as x becomes large positively, 2 x increases rapidly; and as x
takes on values more and more negative, 2 x seems to decrease to zero. That is, the graph
of exponential function 2 x is asymptotic to the negative x-axis.

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

x
1
Graph of exponential function: f(x) =  
x
2
1
f(x) =  
2 6
5
4
3
2
1
-4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Figure 7.2
From the above two graph we can see that exponential functions comes in two forms;
those with a > 1 increase to the right and those with 0< a <1 decrease to the right. All
exponential functions of the form ax
1. pass through the point (0, 1);
2. are positive for all values of x; and
3. tend to infinity in one direction and zero in the other.

7.2.3 Applications of exponential functions:

Example 1: (Compound Interest) The equation
F = P(1+i)n
can be used to determine the amount F that an investment of P taka will grow to if it
receives interest of i percent per compounding period for n compounding periods,
assuming reinvestment of any accrued interest. F is referred to as the compound amount
and P as the principal. If F is considered to be a function of n, the above equation can be
viewed as having the form of exponential function. That is,
F = f(n)
Or, F = Pan ; where a = 1+i
Assume that P = Tk. 1000 and i = 0.08 per period, so a = 1.08. Then we find
F = f(n) = (1000)(1.08)n
If we want to know to what sum Tk. 1000 will grow after 25 periods, we must evaluate
(1.08)25. And we find the compound amount
F = f(25) = Tk. 6848.50

Example 2: (Advertising Response) A large recording company sells tapes and CDs by
direct mail only. Advertising is done through network television. Much experience with
response to an advertising approach has allowed analysts to determine the expected

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response to an advertising program. Specifically, the response function for classical music
CDs and tapes is R = f(t) = 1 – e-0.05t, where R is the percentage of customers in the target
market actually purchasing the CD or tape and t is the number of times an advertisement is
run on national TV.
a) What percentage of the target market is expected to buy a classical music offering
if advertisements are run one time on TV? 5 times? 10 times? 15 times? 20 times?
b) Sketch the response function R = f(t).
Solution: a) Given that the expected response to the advertising program,
R = f(t) = 1 – e-0.05t ; where t is the number of times to play the advertisement.
If the advertisement plays 1 time then the expected percentage of response,
R = f(1) = 1 – e(-0.05)(1) = 1 – 0.9512294 = 0.0488 = 0.0488  100% = 4.88%
If the advertisement plays 5 time then the expected percentage of response,
R = f(5) = 1 – e(-0.05)(5) = 1 – 0.7788007 = 0.2212 = 0.2212  100% = 22.12%
If the advertisement plays 10 time then the expected percentage of response,
R = f(10) = 1 – e(-0.05)(10) = 1 – 0.6065306 = 0.3935 = 0.3935  100% = 39.35%
If the advertisement plays 15 time then the expected percentage of response,
R = f(15) = 1 – e(-0.05)(15) = 1 – 0.4723665 = 0.5276 = 0.5276  100% = 52.76%
If the advertisement plays 20 time then the expected percentage of response,
R = f(20) = 1 – e(-0.05)(20) = 1 – 0.3678794 = 0.6321 = 0.6321  100% = 63.21%
b) The graph is as follows
0.6 f(t) = 1 – e-0.05t
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

Figure 7.3

7.3 Surds: A surd is defined as the irrational root of a rational number of the type n a ,
where it is not possible to extract exactly the nth root of “a”. In other words, a real number
n
a is called a surd, if and only if
i) it is an irrational number, and
ii) it is a root of a rational number.
In the surd n a , the index “n” is called the order of the surd and “a” the radicand. A surd
can always be expressed with fractional indices.
1
n n
i.e., a = a

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

1
10 10
And 5 = 5 etc.
Illustration: 2 , 3 and 3 7 are surds, since 2, 3 and 3
7 are the irrational roots
of the rational numbers 2, 3 and 7 respectively.
 
1
But 4 16 is not a surd, because 4 16 = 2 4 4 = 2 is not an irrational number.

7.3.1 Formulae of surd: 1. n

a .n b  n ab ; p n a  q n b  pq n ab
n
a a pn a pn a
2. n
n ; n

b b q b q b
3. m n
a  mn a  n m
a
am 
pn
4. n
a pm
5.  a
n
m
 n am
1 1
6. n
a an ; a a2
7. p n a  q n a  ( p  q)n a

7.3.2 Rationalization of surd: If multiplication of two surds makes a rational number

then this multiplication is known as rationalization of surds. One of these surds is called
the rationalizing factor of other. 5 is the rationalizing factor of 5 because 5  5  5 ,
rational number.
7 3 5 2
Example: Rationalize the denominator of the irrational fraction:
48  18
7 3  5 2 (7 3  5 2) ( 48  18 )
Solution: Given that 
48  18 ( 48  18 )( 48  18 )
[Multiplying numerator and denominator by ( 48  18 ) ]
(7 3  5 2 )(4 3  3 2 )
=
48  18
84  21 6  20 6  30
=
30
114  41 6
= [Answer]
30

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

1
 n  14 n
 9 . 3.3 
n
Example: Show that  n
 = 27 [AUB-2002]
 3 3 
 
1
 n
1
 n
 9 . 3.3 
n 4
Solution: L.H.S =  
n
 3 3 
 
1
 2 n  14 n 1 n
   
1
3 .3 2 
=  
 
1
 3. 3  n 2 
1
 2n
1 n 1
 n
 3 .3 2 2 
=  n 
 31 2 
 
1
 2 n  12  n21 n
3 
=  2 n 
 3 2 
 
1
 2 n  1  n 1 2 n  n
=  3 2 2 2 
 
1
 4 n 1 n21 2 n  n
=  3 

 
1
 6n  n
=  3 2 
 
6n 1
.
2 n
=3
= 33
= 27 = R.H.S
So, L.H.S = R.H.S (Proved)

7.4 Logarithmic function: If ax = n; a >0 and a  1 then “x” is said to be the logarithm of
the number n to the base “a”. Symbolically it can be expressed as follows:
Log a n = x

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

We read it as the logarithm of n to the base a is x

Note: 1) The logarithm of a number to the base “e” (e = 2.718282 approximately) is called
“Natural logarithm” or “The Napierian logarithm” and is denoted by ln N.
That is, ln N = loge N
2. The logarithm of a number to the base 10 is called “Common logarithm” or “The
Briggsian logarithm” and is denoted by log N.
That is, log N = log 10 N
When no base is mentioned, it is understood to be 10, that is, the common logarithm.
Logarithmic functions are inverses of exponential functions. Ln x is inverse of ex and
log 10 x is inverse of 10 x . That is,
Antilog10 x = 10 x so, antilog (log10 x) = x = 10log10 x
Antiln x = e x so, antiln (ln x) = x = eln x

7.4.1 Laws of logarithmic operations:

1. The logarithm of 1 to any base is 0,
i.e., log a1 = 0 because of a0 = 1
2. The logarithm of any quantity to the same base is unity,
i.e., loga a = 1 because of a1 = a
3. The logarithm of the product of two numbers is equal to the sum of the logarithms
of that numbers to the same base,
i.e., loga (mn) = loga m + loga n
Proof: Let log a m = x so that ax = m - - - (i)
and log a n = y so that ay = n - - - (ii)
Multiplying (i) and (ii) we get
ax  ay = m  n
=> ax +y = mn
Then by the definition of logarithm, we have
log a (mn) = x + y
=> log a (mn) = log a m + log an (Proved)
Remark: This formula can be extended in a similar way to the product of any number of
quantities, that is,
log a (mnpq...) = log a m + log a n + log a p + log a q + ...
We should remember that log a (m + n)  log a m + log a n
4. The logarithm of the quotient of two numbers is equal to the difference of their
logarithms to the same base,
m
i.e., log a  log a m  log a n
n
5. The logarithm of the number raised to a power is equal to the index of the power
multiplied by the logarithm of the number to the same base,
i.e., loga mn = n log a m

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Proof: Let log a m = x so that ax = m - - - (i)

Raising the power “n” on both sides of equation (i), we get
a 
x n
 mn
=> a xn  m n
Then by the definition of logarithm, we get
log a m n  nx
So, log a m n  n log a m (Proved)
6. The logarithm of any number “b” to the base “a” is equal to the reciprocal to the
logarithm of “a” to the base “b”
1
i.e., log a b =
log b a
Or, log a b  log b a = 1
Proof: Let log a b = x so that ax = b - - - (i)
1
y y
and log b a = y so that b = a => b = a - - - (ii)
From equation (i) we have
ax = b
1

Or, ax = a y [Using equation (ii)]

1
Or, x=
y
1
i.e., log a b =
log b a
So, log a b  log b a = 1 (Proved)

7.4.2 Relation between natural and common logarithms: The natural logarithm of a
number is equal to the quotient of the common logarithm of that number and the common
logarithm of e
log m log 10 m
that is, ln m = Or, log e m 
log e log 10 e
Proof: Let log e m  x so that e = m x
- - - (1)
log 10 m = y so that 10 y = m - - - (2)
1
z z
and log 10 e = z so that 10 = e => 10 = e - - - (3)
From equations (1) and (2), we get
ex = 10 y

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

y
 1z 
=> e =  e 
x
[Using equation (3)]
 
y
z
=> ex = e
y
=> x =
z
log 10 m
i.e., log e m 
log 10 e
log m
Or, ln m = (Proved)
log e

7.4.3 Graph of logarithmic function: The graph of a logarithmic function is easy to

sketch. Consider the function f(x) = ln x. To sketch the graph we determine the following
table of ordered pairs, which satisfy the function.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
f(x) = ln x - ∞ 0 0.69 1.99 1.39 1.61 1.79
Using the above ordered pairs we get the following graph:

2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
-3 -2 -1 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8
-0.5
-1.0

Figure 7.4

From the graph we see that the curve rises slowly, but always rises, to the right of x = 1.
Recalling that x can not be zero or negative, we conclude that to the left of x = 1 the curve
falls indefinitely as x gets closer to zero, but never touches the y-axis.

7.5 Some worked out Examples:

Example (1): Find the value of log 6 6 6 .
Solution: Let x = log 6 6 6
Then by the definition of logarithm, we get

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

6x  6 6
1 1 3
1
Or, 6 x  6.6 2 = 6 2 = 6 2
3
So, x = (Answer)
2

Example (2): Find the value of x: log x 25  2 .

Solution: Given that, log x 25  2
By the definition of logarithm, we get
x 2  25
Or, x 2  52
So, x = 5 (Answer)

Example (3): Using logarithm find the value of 1000(1.06)110. 5

Solution: Let x =1000 (1.06)110. 5
Taking common logarithm on both sides, we have
log 10 x = log 10 {1000 (1.06)110. 5}
= log 10 1000+ log 10 (1.06)110. 5
= log 10 (10)3 + 110.5 log 10 1.06
= 3 log 10 10 +110.5 log 10 1.06
= 3  1 + 110.5  0.0253
= 3 + 2.79565
= 5.79565
Taking anti logarithm, we have,
anti log( log 10 x ) = anti log 5.79565
x = 105.79565
= 624669.07 (Answer)

Example (4): Assume that, for some base, log x = 0.5, log y = 1.5 and log z = 3. Compute
 
 xy 
the value of log  1  . [RU-91]
 3
z 
Solution: Given that, log x = 0.5, log y = 1.5 and log z = 3
  1
 xy 
Now, log  1  = log (xy) – log z 3
 3
z 

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam

1
= log x + log y – log z
3
= 0.5 + 1.5 –
1
3
3
= 2.0 – 1
=1 (Answer)

Example (5): Solve for x: 3x = 8

Solution: Given that, 3x = 8
Taking common logarithm on both sides, we have
log 3x = log 8
Or, x log 3 = log8
log 8
Or, x =
log 3
0.903090
Or, x =
0.477121
So, x = 1.893 (approximately) (Answer)

Example (6): Solve for x: 9x = 2

Solution: Given that, 9x = 2
Taking common logarithm of both sides, we have
log 9x = log 2
Or, x log 9 = log 2
log 2
Or, x =
log 9
0.3010
Or, x = [Using calculator]
0.9542
So, x = 0.31546 (approximately)

Example (7): Find the value of i when 10000 (1 + i)10 = 30000 [AUB-03,]
Solution: Given that, 10000(1 + i)10 =30000
30000
Or, (1+ i)10 =
10000
Or, (1+ i)10 = 3
Or, ln (1+ i)10 = ln 3 [Taking natural logarithm of both sides]
Or, 10 ln (1+ i) = 1.0986 [Using calculator]
Or, ln (1+ i) = 0.10986
Or, antiln{ln(1+ i)} = antiln 0.10986
Or, 1+ i = 1.11612 [Using calculator]

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Or, i = 1.11612 – 1
So, i = 0.11612 (Answer)

Example (8): Solve the equation for x: ln (1 + x) = – 0.5

Solution: Given that, ln (1 + x) = – 0.5
Or, Antiln ln (1+ x) = Antiln (–0.5) [Taking Antiln of both sides]
Or, 1 + x = 0.60653
Or, x = 0.60653 – 1
So, x = – 0.39347 (Answer)

Example (9): If log 10 2 = 0.3010, then find the value of log 8 25 [AUB-02]
Solution: Given that, log 10 2 = 0.3010
log 25 log 10 m
Now, log 8 25  10 [We know, log e m  ]
log 10 8 log 10 e
 100 
log 10  
=  4 
log 10 2 3
log 10 100  log 10 4
=
3 log 10 2
log 10 (10) 2  log 10 (2) 2
=
3 log 10 2
2 log 10 10  2 log 10 2
=
3 log 10 2
2  1  2  0.3010
=
3  0.3010
= 1.548 (Answer)

16 25 81
Example (10): Show that log 2 + 16 log + 12 log + 7 log =1
15 24 80
[CMA-94, NU-94]
16 25 81
Proof: L.H.S = log 2 + 16 log + 12 log + 7 log
15 24 80
16 12 7
 16   25   81 
= log 2 + log   + log   + log  
 15   24   80 

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 S. M. Shahidul Islam


 2 
4 16
 52 
12
 34  
7

= log 2      3    4  

 
3.5   2 .3   2 .5  
 2 64 5 24 328 
= log  2  16 16  36 12  28 7 
 3 .5 2 .3 2 .5 

= log 21643628  3281216  524167 

= log 21  30  51 
= log 2  1 5
= log 10
= 1 [We know that log 10 10 1 ]
= R.H.S (Proved)

1 3 log 1728
Example (11): Find the value of . [CMA-93]
6 1 1
1  log 0.36  log 8
2 3
1 3 log 1728 1 3  3.2375437
Solution: . = .
6 1 1 6 1 1
1  log 0.36  log 8 1   (0.4436975)   0.9030899
2 3 2 3
[Using calculator]
1 9.7126311
= .
6 1  0.2218487  0.3010299
1 3.1165094
= .
6 1.0791812
3.1165094
=
6.4750872
= 0.4813077 (Answer)

1 1 1
Example (12): Show that    1 [NU-95]
log a bc  1 log b ca  1 log c ab  1
1 1 1
Solution: L.H.S =  
log a bc  1 log b ca  1 log c ab  1
1 1 1
=  
log a bc  log a a log b ca  log b b log c ab  log c c
1 1 1
=  
log a abc log b abc log c abc

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 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

= log abc a  log abc b  log abc c

= log abc (abc)
= 1 = R.H.S (Proved)

  
Example (13): Find the value of log 2 log 2 log 3 log 3 27 3  [AUB-02 MBA]

Solution: log 2 log 2 log 3 log 3 27  = log log log log 3 
3
2 2 3 3
9

= log 2 log 2 log 3 9 log 3 3

= log 2 log 2 log 3 9  1
= log 2 log 2 log 3 9

= log 2 log 2 log 3 32  
= log 2 log 2 2 log 3 3
= log 2 log 2 2
= log 2 1
=0 (Answer)

7.6 Exercise:
1. Define exponential function. And discuss the properties of exponents.
2. What do you mean by surd?
3. Define natural and common logarithms. What is difference between natural and
common logarithms?
4. State and prove relation between natural and common logarithms.
5. (Credit Card Collections) A major bank offers a credit card, which can be used
internationally. Data gathered over time indicate that the collection percentage for
credit issued in any month is an exponential function of the time since the credit
was issued. Specifically, the function approximating this relationship is
C = f(t) = 0.92(1- e-0.1t); t ≥ 0
where C equals the percentage of accounts receivable (in taka) collected t months after the
credit is granted.
(a) What percentage is expected to be collected after 1 month?
[Answer:8.75%]
(b) What percentage is expected after 3 months? [Answer: 23.84%]
(c) What value does C approach as t increases without limit (t → ∞)?
[Answer:92%]
3

6. Find the value of (i) (23)2 (ii) (121)0.5 (iii) 16 4
[Answer: (i) 64 (ii) 11 (iii) 1/8]

  
1


7. Find the value of 1  1  1  x 3 1 1 3
[Answer:
1
]
 x

123
 S. M. Shahidul Islam

1 1 1
 rqpr  p  q  rppq  q r  qp rq  r  p
8. Show that  x  x  x  1
     
     
1632  2 4  55 1
m 3m  2 m 1 m 1
9. Show that [AUB-02]
152 16
m 1 m
52m
  
10. Find the value of log 5 3 5 5 [Answer: ]
5
6
11. Find the value of x: (i) log x 81  4 (ii) log 2 5 400  x [Answer: (i) 3, (ii) 4]
12. Using the definition of logarithm find the value of x: log x (4 x  3)  log x 4  2
3 1
[Answer: , ] [NU-2000]
2 2
13. Solve for x: (i) 10x = 8. (ii) 2x.32x +1 = 74x + 3 [Answer: (i) 0.90309 (ii) – 0.9685]
14. Solve for x: log x 3  log x 9  log x 729  9 [Answer: 3] [AUB-01]
15. Assume that for some base, log a = 0.3, log b = 2.8642 and log c = 1.7642. Find
 3 12 
a b 
the value of log   [Answer: 0.5676] [NU-01]
 c 
 
16. Compute the value of x from 10 log5 = x [Answer: 5]
1

17. Using logarithm find the value of 789.45 8 [Answer: 2.3023]

5
10  3 10
18. Find the value of [Answer: 158.49] [RU-84]
3
10 2  3 10 3
33 33

[Hints: After simplification, we get 10 15 . Let x = 10 15 and then use log and antilog
respectively to find the value of x.]
16 25 81
19. Simplify: 7 log  5 log  3 log [Answer: log 2 ] [NU-99]
15 24 80
20. Find the value of log 2 6  log 2 2 [Answer: 1]
3
 b bb 
a

21. Show that log b log b log b

  = a.
3 5 1
22. Show that log 2  log 2  log 2 5  
2 3 2
1 1 1 1
23. Show that (i)    1 [Hints:  log abe a ]
log a (abc) log b (abc) log c (abc) log a (abc)

124
 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

1 1 1
(ii)   2
log pq ( pqr ) log qr ( pqr ) log rp ( pqr )
1 1 1
(iii)   2 [CMA-95]
log 6 24 log 8 24 log 12 24
24. Using the definition of logarithm find the value of x from log 2 log 3 log 2 x 1.
[Answer: 512] [AUB-02]
log a log b log c
25. If   , prove that
x y yz zx
(i) abc = 1
log a log b log c log a
(ii) a x y .b y  z .c z  x  1 [Hints: let   = M, So, M
x y yz zx x y
Or, log a = M(x – y) Or, (x + y)log a = M(x – y)(x + y) Or, log a(x + y) = M(x2 – y2).
Similarly, log a(y + z) = M(y2 – z2) and log a(z + x) = M(z2 – x2). Now add.]

125