How To Use Logarithms

Learn how to use logarithms to answer questions like "how many of one number multiply together to make another number?" See examples, definitions, graphs, and tips for common and natural logarithms. Learn how to solve logarithms using the logarithmic product rule and quotient rule, with advice from math teacher Grace Imson, MA. Learn about the properties of logarithms that help us rewrite logarithmic expressions, and about the change of base rule that allows us to evaluate any logarithm we want using the calculator.

Logarithm is another way of writing exponent. The problems that cannot be solved using only exponents can be solved using logs. Learn more about logarithms and rules to work on them in detail.

Since taking a logarithm is the opposite of exponentiation (more precisely, the logarithmic function logb x log b x is the inverse function of the exponential function bx b x), we can derive the basic rules for logarithms from the basic rules for exponents. We go through the key logarithm rules with clear examples to help you fully understand and apply them in your own math problems. We give the basic properties and graphs of logarithm functions.

In addition, we discuss how to evaluate some basic logarithms including the use of the change of base formula. This guide will explain what a logarithm is, how it relates to exponents, how to apply log rules, and how to use calculators to make your work quick and simple. Learn how to simplify and rearrange logarithmic expressions using the product, quotient, power and other laws of logarithms.

See formulas, examples, videos and a visual list of the log laws. Learn the definition, properties, and applications of logarithms with examples and exercises. Explore the product, quotient, power, and change of base rules for logs and how to use them to simplify and solve logarithmic equations.