Logarithms
Lesson · Beginner
Algebra: Functions
Definition
Domain
Range
If , then is increasing.
If , then is decreasing.

Properties
Proof. By the definition of a logarithm,
Proof. By the definition of a logarithm,
Proof. By the definition of a logarithm,
Proof.
Let
Then
so
Proof.
Let
Then
Therefore
which implies
Proof.
Let
Then
Hence
so
Proof.
Let
Then
so
Therefore
Proof.
Let
Then
Hence
Proof.
Let
Then
so
Therefore
Proof.
Let
Then
Also let
Then
Therefore
Proof.
Using Property 10
Dividing both sides by
where .
Proof.
Applying Property 10
Hence
Proof.
Using Properties 10 and 2
Therefore
Proof.
Using Properties 4 and 10
Proof.
If
then
which implies
Conversely, if
then
Thus
Evaluate
Simplify
Evaluate
Using
we get
Simplify
Using
we obtain
Solve
First
Then
so
Thus
giving
Because
Simplify
Since
and
we have
For a positive integer
Always remember the fundamental interpretation
This often makes calculations much easier than applying formulas mechanically.
For example
For every real logarithm
we need
If the base contains a variable, both the argument and the base must be checked.
For a valid base
provided
In particular, if the chain returns to its starting point
From
we must have
An algebraic solution that violates this condition must be rejected.
If
the logarithmic function is decreasing.
Therefore
implies
not .