6.

4
Power Law of Logarithms
If you invested $100 today in an account that pays
5% interest, compounded annually, how long do you
think it would take for your investment to double in
value? This type of problem leads to an equation in
which the unknown variable is an exponent. Because
of the inverse relationship between exponential
functions and logarithmic functions, logarithms
provide a way to solve such equations.

Investigate 1 How can you solve for an unknown exponent?

Suppose you invest $100 in an account that pays 5% interest, compounded Tools
annually. The amount, A, in dollars, in the account after any given time, t, One or more of the following tools
in years, is given by A  100(1.05)t. are recommended:
• computer with The Geometer’s
1. Predict how long it will take, to the nearest year, for the amount in this
Sketchpad
account to double in value. Give a reason for your estimate. ®
• graphing calculator
2. a) Design a method that will allow you to find an accurate answer to • computer algebra system (CAS)
the question in step 1.
b) Carry out your method. How long will it take for the investment to
double in value?
c) Compare this result with your prediction. How close was your prediction?
3. Suppose the initial amount invested is $250. How does this affect the
answer to step 2b)? Explain, using mathematical reasoning.
4. R e f l e c t How can you express the original equation, A  100(1.05)t,
in logarithmic form?

Logarithms are useful for solving for an unknown exponent in an equation.

Consider the problem posed in Investigate 1.
A  100(1.05)t
To find the time after which the value has doubled, substitute A  200,
and try to solve for t.
200  100(1.05)t
2  1.05t Divide both sides by 100.

6.4 Power Law of Logarithms • MHR 341

 You probably solved this equation, 2  1.05t, in step 2 of Investigate 1
using trial and error or by inspecting a graph. Can the equation be solved
algebraically? What if the equation were written in logarithmic form to
express it in terms of t?
t  log1.05 2
Most scientific calculators can only evaluate logarithms in base 10, so how
can this expression be evaluated? Clearly, further study is needed.

Investigate 2 What is the power law for logarithms?

Tools 1. a) Evaluate each logarithm. Organize your results in a table.

One or more of the following tools i) log 2 ii) log 4 iii) log 8 iv) log 16 v) log 32
are recommended:
b) Look for a pattern in your results. How are these values related to log 2?
• scientific calculator Make a prediction for
• graphing calculator
i) log 64 ii) log 1024
• CAS
c) Verify your predictions.
• spreadsheet software
2. Write a rule for the general result of log 2n.
3. Do you think the general result will work for other powers?
Technology Tip s a) Repeat the analysis in step 1 for powers of 3:
Spreadsheets and graphing i) log 3 ii) log 9 iii) log 27
calculators are useful tools
for performing repeated b) Write a rule for evaluating log 3n.
calculations. c) Verify your rule using a few cases.
4. R e f l e c t
n
a) Write a rule for evaluating log b for any base b  0.
b) Test your rule using several different cases.

To prove the rule you investigated above, apply algebraic reasoning.

Let w  logb x.
w  logb x
w
xb Write the equation in exponential form.
w n
x  (b )
n
Raise both sides to the exponent n.
wn
x b
n
Apply the power law of exponents.
logb xn  wn Rewrite in exponential form.
logb xn  n logb x Substitute w  logb x to eliminate w.
This result is known as the power law of logarithms.

Power Law of Logarithms

logb xn  n logb x, b  0, b 苷 1, x  0, n ∈ ⺢

342 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 Example 1 Apply the Power Law of Logarithms
Evaluate.
a) log3 94
b) log2 85
c) log 0.0012
d) log5 √
125

Solution

a) Method 1: Simplify and Then Evaluate the Logarithm

log3 94  log3 (32)4
 log3 38
8

Method 2: Apply the Power Law of Logarithms

log3 94  4 log3 9
 4 log3 32
 4(2)
8
Note that both methods give the same answer, but Method 2 involves
simpler calculations.
b) log2 85  5 log2 8
 5 log2 23
 5(3)
 15
c) log 0.0012  2 log 0.001
 2 log 103
 2(3)
 6
1
_
  log5 125 2
d) log5 √125 Rewrite the radical in exponential form.
1 log 125
_ Apply the power law.
5
2
1 (3)
_
2
3
_
2

6.4 Power Law of Logarithms • MHR 343

 The power law of logarithms can be applied to evaluate logarithms with bases
other than 10.

Example 2 Compound Interest

Recall the equation 2  1.05t, found after Investigate 1, the solution
of which gives the doubling period for an investment at 5% interest,
compounded annually. Determine this doubling period.

Solution
2  1.05t
log 2  log 1.05t Take the common logarithm of both sides.
log 2  t log 1.05 Apply the power law of logarithms and solve for t.
log 2
t  __ The expression on the right is a quotient of common logarithms.
log 1.05
It can be evaluated with a scientific or graphing calculator.
t ⬟ 14.2

This should confirm the result you obtained in Investigate 1 that it would
take approximately 14.2 years for the initial investment to double in value.

The technique used in Example 2 can be generalized to determine the value of

logarithms of any base b  0, b  1.
Let x  logb m.

x  logb m
x
b m Write in exponential form.
x
log b  log m Take common logarithms of both sides.
x log b  log m Apply the power law of logarithms.
log m
x  __ Express in terms of x.
log b

To calculate a logarithm with any base, express in terms of common

logarithms using the change of base formula :
log m
logb m  __ , m  0, b  0, b 苷 1
log b

344 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 Example 3 Evaluate Logarithms With Various Bases
Evaluate, correct to three decimal places.
a) log5 17
b) log _1 10
2

Solution
log 17
a) log5 17  __ Express in terms of common logarithms.
log 5
⬟ 1.760 Use a calculator to evaluate.
log 10
b) log _1 10  __
2
log _1
2
_ 1 log 10  1
log _1
2
⬟ 3.322

The change of base formula also provides a way to graph logarithmic

functions with any base.

Example 4 Graph Logarithmic Functions With Various Bases

Graph the function f(x)  log5 x. Reasoning and Proving
Representing Selecting Tools
Solution Problem Solving

Connecting Reflecting
Method 1: Graph the Inverse of an Communicating
Exponential Function
The inverse function of f is f1(x)  5x.
Graph f1(x)  5x and then reflect it in the line y  x to produce the graph
of f(x)  log5 x.
y

4
1 x
f 共x兲  5
yx
2

4 2 0 2 4 x

2
f共x兲  log5 x
4

6.4 Power Law of Logarithms • MHR 345

 Method 2: Use a Graphing Calculator or Graphing Software
Express f in terms of common logarithms:

f(x)  log5 x
log x
_
log 5
Choose reasonable values for the window settings.

< KEY CONCEPTS

>
The power law of logarithms states that logb xn  n logb x for b  0,
b 苷 1, x  0, and n ∈ ⺢. This property can be used to solve equations
with unknown exponents.
Any logarithm can be expressed in terms of common logarithms using
the change of base formula:
log m
logb m  __ , b  0, b 苷 1, m  0
log b
This formula can be used to evaluate logarithms or graph logarithmic
functions with any base.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Explain how you could evaluate log2 10
a) with a calculator
b) without a calculator
C2 Refer to the change of base formula:
log m
logb m  __ , b  0, b 苷 1, m  0
log b
a) Describe two applications for which this formula is useful.
b) Explain why the restrictions b  0, b 苷 1, and m  0 are necessary.

C3 a) Explain how you could evaluate __ 1 .

log3 7
b) Evaluate the logarithm using your method.

346 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 A Practise
For help with questions 1 and 2, refer to Example 1. For help with questions 5 and 6, refer to Example 3.
1. Evaluate. 5. Evaluate, correct to three decimal places.
3 2
a) log2 16 b) log4 8 a) log3 23
1
_
4
c) log 100 d) log 0.1 2 b) log6 20
2. Evaluate. c) log7 2

a) log2 √8 b) log3 √
243 d) log12 4
c) log3 ( √
3
81 )6 d) log4 (
5
16 )15 e) log _1 30
2
f) log _3 (8)
For help with questions 3 and 4, refer to Example 2. 4

3. Solve for t to two decimal places. 6. Write as a single logarithm.

a) 10  4 t
b) 5  250
t log 8 log 17
a) _ b) __
c) 2  1.08 t
d) 500  100(1.06) t log 5 log 9

4. An investment earns 7% interest, compounded log _

c) __
()
1
2 log(x  1)
d) __
()
annually. The amount, A, that the investment 2 log(x  1)
is worth as a function of time, t, in years, log _
3
is given by A(t)  500(1.07)t.
For help with questions 7 and 8, refer to Example 4.
a) Use the equation to determine the value of
the investment 7. a) Sketch a graph of the function f(x)  log2 x
by first graphing the inverse function
i) initially, when t  0
f1(x)  2x and then reflecting the graph
ii) after 2 years in the line y  x.
iii) after 4 years b) Use Technology Check your graph using
b) How long will it take for the investment to graphing technology.
i) double in value? 8. Use Technology Use graphing software or a
ii) triple in value? graphing calculator to graph f(x)  log25 x.

CONNECTIONS 9. Solve for x, correct to three decimal places.

a) 2  log 3x
People in the financial sector estimate how long an investment will take
to double by using the rule of 72. Dividing 72 by the annual interest b) 100  10 log 1000x
rate as a percent gives the approximate number of years for the c) 4  log3 15x
amount to double. d) 12  2 log5 3x

B Connect and Apply

10. An investment earns 9% interest, compounded 11. Does log (mx)  m log x Reasoning and Proving
annually. The amount, A, that the investment for some constant m? Representing Selecting Tools
is worth as a function of time, t, in years, is Explain why or why Problem Solving
given by A(t)  400(1.09)t. not, using algebraic or Connecting Reflecting
a) What was the initial value of the investment? graphical reasoning and Communicating

Explain how you know. supporting examples.

b) How long will it take for the investment to 12. Does log (xn)  (log x)n for some constant n?
double in value? Explain why or why not, using algebraic or
graphical reasoning and supporting examples.

6.4 Power Law of Logarithms • MHR 347

13. a) Evaluate log2 85 without using the power ✓ Achievement Check
law of logarithms.
b) Evaluate the same expression by applying 16. An investment pays 8% interest, compounded
the power law of logarithms. annually.
c) Which method do you prefer? Why? a) Write an equation that expresses the amount,
A, of the investment as a function of time, t,
14. Create an expression such as the one in in years.
question 13. Evaluate first using, and then
b) Determine how long it will take for this
without using, the power law.
investment to
15. Chapter Problem A spacecraft is approaching i) double in value
a space station that is orbiting Earth. When
ii) triple in value
the craft is 1000 km from the space station,
reverse thrusters must be applied to begin c) Determine the percent increase in value
braking. The time, t, in hours, required to of the account after
reach a distance, d, in kilometres, from the i) 5 years
space station while the thrusters are being ii) 10 years
fired can be modelled by t  log0.5 _ d .
1000 ( ) d) Explain why the answers to parts b) and c)
The docking sequence can be initialized once do not depend on the amount of the initial
the craft is within 10 km of the station’s principal.
docking bay.
a) How long after the reverse thrusters are first
fired should docking procedures begin?
b) What are the domain and range of this
function? What do these features represent?

C Extend and Challenge

17. Use algebraic reasoning to show that any 20. An investment pays 3.5% interest,
logarithm can be written in terms of a compounded quarterly.
logarithm with any base: a) Write an equation to express the amount, A,
logk x
logb x  __ for any x  0, k  0, b  0. of the investment as a function of time, t,
logk b in years.
18. Use the result of question 17 to express each of b) Determine how long it will take for this
the following in terms of base-2 logarithms. investment to
a) log3 9 b) log 25 i) double in value
19. A computer design contains 10 binary digits in ii) triple in value
64 sequences. As a result, the number of codes 1
21. Math Contest Given that f(x)  __ and
is (210)64. Express this number in logarithmic √
1x
form with base 2. f(a)  2, what is the value of f(1  a)?

CONNECTIONS 22. Math Contest Given that e and f are integers,

You will learn about binary codes and how they are useful for both greater than one, and √
e √
e √e  f,
programming computers if you study computer science or determine the least possible value of e  f.
technology in university or college.

348 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6