CHAPTER 16

Logar ithm
Atleast one question from this chapter is necessarily being asked in CAT. Whenever a
question appears related with logarithm, it is of applied nature and the logic behind the
question is the application of logarithm. One more thing I would like to mention that many a
student are scared of this chapter. But In my opinion they should not bother about the word
‘logarithm’ instead they should look the problems of logarithm as problems of exponents and
most of the problems can be easily solved by plotting the graph. Notice that this chapter is
important for SNAP, MAT, IIFT, JMET and XAT etc.

16.1 Exponential Function

x2 x3 xn ∞ xn
For every x ∈ R , e x = 1 + x + + + ... + ... or e x = Σ
2! 3! n! n = 0 n!

Here e x is called as exponential function and it is a finite number for every x ∈ R .

Properties
For every x ∈ R , e x is defined, then y = ex Chapter Checklist
(i) e > 0 for all x ∈ R and e = 1
x 0
e2
8
Exponential Function
7
(ii) e > e if a > b and a, b ∈ R
a b
6
Logarithm
(iii) e a × e b = e ( a + b ) for all a, b ∈ R 5 Properties of Logarithm
(a − b ) Characteristics and
(iv) e ÷ e = e
a b
for all a, b ∈ R 4
3 Mantissa
(v) ( e a ) b = e ab for all a, b ∈ R e
2 Points to Remember About
(vi) For each positive real number x there exists one and 1 Characteristics
only one real number y such that e y = x –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x
Important Conversions
(vii) e x is one-one function (viii) e ≈ 2.714 Graph of y = ex
CAT Test

16.2 Logarithm
Let a, b be positive real numbers then a x = b can be written as
log a b = x; a ≠ 1, a > 0, b > 0
e.g., 2 = 32
5
⇔ log 2 32 = 5
10 3 = 1000 ⇔ log 10 1000 = 3
1 1
3− 4 = ⇔ log 3   = − 4 etc.
81  81
890 QUANTUM CAT
Types of Logarithm Thus the logarithm of only positive values is
defined i. e., log a x is defined for every ‘
(i) Natural Logarithm : log e N is called Natural
x > 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1. Hence for f ( x ) = log a x
logarithm or Naperian Logarithm, denoted by ln N i.e.,
when the base is ‘e’ then it is called as Natural logarithm. Domain → R + and Range → R
1 16. not defined
e.g., log e 5, log e   , log e 72 ... etc.
 81
(ii) Common Logarithm : log 10 N is called common 0 = (a) 1 (= a) 2 = (a) 3 (= a)
logarithm or Brigg’s Logarithm i.e., when base of log is 0<a<1 a>1
10, then it is called as common logarithm. 1 4 4 2 4 43 1 4 42443
loga x > loga y loga x < loga y
e.g., log 10 (100), log 10 25, log 10 248 etc.
(if x < y) (if x < y)
Also ax > ay Also ax < ay
16.3 Properties of Logarithm
1. log a 1 = 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1 at a =1, log a x is not defined.
17.
2. log a a =1, a > 0, a ≠ 1
0 1
3. log a a x = x ∀ x ∈ R , x > 0
For 0 < a < 1
4. a log a x = x ∀ x ∈ R , x > 0
log a x >1if x < a ∀ x > 0
NOTE loga a x is the inverse function of a x . log a x =1if x = a ∀ x > 0
5. log a ( m . n) = log a m + log a n ∀ m, n > 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1 log a x <1if x > a ∀ x = 0
6. log a ( m n) = log a m − log a n ∀ m, n > 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1 18.
0 1
7. log a ( m n ) = n log a m ∀ m > 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1
For a >1
1 log a x <1if x < a ∀ x > 0
8. log a   = − log a m ∀ m > 0, a > 0, a ≠ 1
 m log a x =1if x = a ∀ x > 0
1 log c b log a x >1if x > a ∀ x > 0
9. log a b = = ∀a, b, c > 0 and a ≠ 1, b ≠ 1, c ≠ 1
log b a log c a
10. If log a b = x ∀ a > 0, a ≠ 1, b > 0 and x ∈ R 19. 0 < a <1 a>1
(i) log (1 a ) b = − x (ii) log a (1/ b) = − x log a x is a decreasing function log a x is an increasing function
(iii) log 1 a (1/ b) = x log a x > log a y ( x < y ) log a x < log a y ( x < y ) i.e., the
1 i.e., inequality gets reversed inequality remains unchanged
11. log a m ( b) = log a b
m y y
12. log a x is a decreasing function, if 0 < a < 1
13. log a x is an increasing function, if a >1 loga x loga y

NOTE The base of logarithm can never be equal to 1. i. e. ,log1 x is loga x

undefined ∀ x. loga y
(1, 0) O (1, 0) x y x
14. On the real number line the base of logarithm can O x y x
assume any positive real value except 1 (i.e., unity)
Hence at a =1, log a x is not defined; x > 0 Sign of log a x Sign of log a x
y y
–1 0 1 2 3 Positive for
0<x<1
Thus at a > 0 except a =1, log a x is defined; x > 0
Positive for
15. On the real number line x can assume any positive real x>1
value (number) for log a x ; a > 0, a ≠ 1 x x
O (1, 0) Negative for
O (1, 0) Negative for
x>1 0<x<1
–1 0 1 2 3
Logarithm 891

20. 0< a < 1 a>1 (b) When the number is less than 1 i. e., 0 < x < 1. In this
y y case the characteristic is one more than the number of
y = ax zeros between the decimal point and the first
significant digit of the number and is negative.
3 3 y = ax
NOTE The characteristic may be positive or negative. If the
2 2 characteristic is negative, it is always represented by putting a bar on
the number i. e. , − 1→ 1 ⇒ − 2 → 2 ⇒ − 3 → 3

(0, 1) (0, 1) Exp.

–2 –1 0 1 2 3 x –2 –1 0 1 2 3 x Number Characteristic Number Characteristic
Domain → R Domain → R 8.3145 0 0.457 1
Range → R + Range → R + 74.8120 1 0.0546 2
Decreasing function Increasing function 568.31 2 0.001324 3

21. For x <1 Remark

 x2 x3 x4  (1) Students must note that 2.784 is not the same as
(i) log (1 + x ) =  x − + − + ... − 2.784
 2 3 4 
i. e., 2.784 = ( − 2) + (.784) ⇒ − 2.784 = ( − 2) − (.784)
 x2 x3 x4  (2) If the logarithm of a number is negative, then we have
(ii) log (1 − x ) = −  x + + + + ...
 2 3 4  to make the mantissa positive.
For this we subtract 1 from the integral part and add up
1 + x   x3 x5 
(iii) log   = 2 x + + + ... 1 to the decimal part.
1 − x   3 5  e. g., − 2.5436 = ( − 2) + ( − .5436) Step 1.
 1 1  ⇒ = ( − 2 − 1) + ( − .5436 +1) Step 2.
(iv) log 2 = 1 − + − ...
 2 3  ⇒ = ( − 3) + (.4564) Step 3.
(v) log 10 2 = 0.3010 ⇒ = 3.4564 Step 4.
(vi) log 10 3 = 0.4771
22. Logarithmic Inequalities
16.5 Points to Remember About
0< a<1 a>1
Characteristics
log a b ≥ log a c ⇔ b ≤ c log a b ≥ log a c ⇔ b ≥ c > 0 1. The characteristic of common logarithm of positive
number less than unity ( i. e., 1) is negative.
log a b ≥ c ⇔ b ≤ a c
log a b ≥ c ⇔ b ≥ a c
2. The characteristic of common logarithm of a positive
number greater than 1 is positive.
16.4 Characteristics and Mantissa 3. If the logarithm to any base a gives the characteristic
Characteristic : The integral part of logarithm is known as ‘n’, then the number of possible integral values is given
characteristic. by a n + 1 − a n . For example log 10 x = n . abcd, then
Mantissa : The decimal part is known as mantissa and is the number of integral values that x can have given by
always positive. e.g., In log a x, the integral part of x is called 10 n + 1 − 10 n
the characteristic and the decimal part of x is called the e. g., log 10 x = 2 . abcd gives 10 2 + 1 − 10 2 = 900
mantissa. For example : In log 3274 = 3.5150, the integral integral values for x
part is 3 i.e.,characteristic is 3 and the decimal part is .5150 i. e., x =100, 101, 102, 103, ... 998, 999. For all these 900
i. e., mantissa is .5150. integral numbers (100 − 999) all the characteristic is 2.
To find the characteristic of common logarithm log 10 x : Similarly log 10 x = 3. abcd give 10 3 + 1 − 10 3 = 9000
(a) When the number is greater than 1 i. e., x >1. In this integral values for x i. e., x =1000, 1001, 1002, ...., 9999.
case , the characteristic is one less than the number of
For all these 9000 integral numbers (1000 − 9999) the
digits in the left of the decimal point in the given
characteristic is 3.
number.
892 QUANTUM CAT
4. If the characteristic of log 10 x is negative ( i. e., − n), Exp. 6) Find the value of log y x × log z y × log x z.
then the number of zeros between the decimal and the (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) log x (d) xyz
first significant number after the decimal is ( n −1) log a x log a y log a z
Solution log y x × log z y × log x z = × × =1
e.g., log 10 x = − 3 . abcd has a = 0 and b = 0. log a y log a z log a x
i. e., first two places after the decimal point are filled log a log b log c ,
with zeros since characteristic is − 3. Exp. 7) If = = then find the value of
Hence log 10 x = − 3 . abcd = − 3 . 00cd aa. b b . c c . b − c c − a a − b
log a log b log c
Solution We have, = = =k (say)
b − c c− a a − b
16.6 Important Conversions Then, log a = k ( b − c), log b = k ( c − a), log c = k ( a − b)
(i) For a > 1, a ≠ 1, c > 0, a b > c ⇔ log a c < b Let A = a a . b b. c c
(ii) For 0 < a < 1, a ≠ 1, c > 0, a b > c ⇔ log a c > b Then log A = a log a + b log b + c log c
= ak ( b − c) + bk ( c − a) + ck ( a − b)
Exp. 1) The value of log 6 is equal to : = abk − ack + bck − abk + cak − bck = 0
(a) log 1 + log 2 + log 3 (b) log (1 + 2 + 3) Thus log A = 0 = log 1
(c) log (1 × 2 × 3) (d) all of the above ∴ A = 1 i. e., a a . b b . cc = 1
Solution log 6 = log (1 × 2 × 3) = log 1 + log 2 + log 3
Exp. 8) Find the value of log 8 25, given that
Also log 6 = log (1 + 2 + 3), Hence (d)
log 10 2 = 0.3010
Exp. 2) Find the value of log 8 128. log10 25 2 log 5 2 log10(10 2)
Solution log 8 25 = = =
log10 8 3 log 2 3 log10 2
Solution Let log 8 128 = x ⇒ 8x = 128 ⇒ 23 x = 27 ⇒ 3 x = 7
2(log10 10 − log10 2) 2 (1 − 0.3010)
7 7 = = = 1.5482
⇒ x= ∴ log 8 128 = 3 × 0.3010 0.9030
3 3
log 27 + log 8 + log 1000
Exp. 9) Find the value of .
Exp. 3) Find the value of log 5 5 (125). log 120
Solution Let log5 5 (125) = x ⇒(5 5 ) x = 125 ⇒5 (3 2 )x
= 53
log ( 27)1 / 2 + log 23 + log (103 )1 / 2
3 Solution
⇒ x=3 ⇒ x=2 log ( 3 × 22 × 10)
2
1 1
∴ log (125) = 2 log 3 3 + 3 log 2 + log (10) 3
5 5
= 2 2
Exp. 4) c log 5 log 5 ( 3125). log 3 + log 22 + log 10
3 3 3
Solution log5 log5 ( 3125) = log5 log5 55 = log5 5 log5 5 log 3 + ⋅ 2 log 2 + log 10
= 2 2 2
= log 5 5.1 (Q log5 5 = 1) log 3 + 2 log 2 + log 10
= log5 5 = 1 3
(log 3 + 2 log 2 + log 10)
∴ log5 log5 ( 3125) = 1 3
= 2 =
log 3 + 2 log 2 + log 10 2
2 ,
Exp. 5) If log 10 x − log 10 x = find the value of x.
log 10 x Exp. 10) Solve for x, if log x ( 8x − 3) − log x 4 = 2
2  8x − 3 
Solution log10 x − log10 x = Solution log x( 8x − 3) − log x 4 = 2 ⇒ log x   =2
log10 x  4 
 x  2 2 8x − 3 3 1
⇒ log10   = ⇒ log10( x)1 2 = ⇒ x2 = ⇒ 4x 2 − 8x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = or
 x  log10 x log10 x 4 2 2
1 2
⇒ log10 x = Exp. 11) Find the value of
2 log10 x
1 x log y − log z × y log z − log x × z log x − log y .
⇒ (log10 x) = 2 ⇒ (log10 x) 2 = 4
2
2
Solution Let P = x log y − log z × y log z − log x × z log x − log y
⇒ log10 x = ± 2
If log10 x = 2 ⇒ x = 102 ⇒ x = 100 Then log P = log x log y − log z + log y log z − log x + log z log x− log y
If log10 x = − 2 = (log y − log z) log x + (log z − log x) log y
−2 1 1 + (log x − log y) log z
⇒ x = 10 ⇒ x= ∴ x = 100,
100 100
Logarithm 893

= log x log y − log z log x + log y log z − log x log y Exp. 15) Given log 2 = 0.3010 and log 3 = 0.4771. Find
+ log z log x − log y log z = 0 the value of log 0.0075.
i. e., log P = 0 = log 1 ∴ P = 1
75
xy log ( xy) yz log ( yz) zx log (zx) , Solution log 0.0075 = log = log 75 − log 10000
Exp. 12) If = = then 10000
x+y y +z z+x
= log 3 × 5 2 − log 104 = log 3 + 2 log 5 − 4 log 10
show that x = y = z .
x y z
= log 3 + 2 [log 10 − log 2] − 4 log 10
xy log ( xy) yz log ( yz) zx log (zx)
Solution = = =k (say) = 0.4771 + 2 [1 − 0.3010] − 4 = − 2.1249
x+y y +z z+x
Then xy log xy = k ( x + y) Exp. 16) What is the number of digits in 3 33 ? Given that
 1 1
or log xy = k  +  log 3 = 0.47712 ?
 x y 3 3
 1 1 Solution Let x = 3 3 = ( 3) 3
or log x + log y = k  +  …(i)
 x y Then log x = 3 3 log 3 = 27 × 0.47712= 12.88224
 1 1 Since the characteristic in the resultant value of log x is 12
Similarly, log y + log z = k  +  …(ii) ∴The number of digits in x is (12 + 1) = 13
 y z 3
 1 1 Hence the required number of digits in 3 3 is 13.
and log z + log x = k  +  …(iii)
 z x
Exp. 17) If log 3 = 0.4771, find the number of digits in 3 43 .
Adding (i), (ii) and (iii), we get
 1 1 1 Solution Let x = 3 43
2 (log x + log y + log z) = 2k  + + 
 x y z ∴ log x = log 3 43 = 43 log 3 = 43 × 0.4771 = 20.5153
 1 1 1 Since the characteristic of log 3 43 is 20, then number of digits
or log x + log y + log z = k  + +  …(iv)
 x y z in 3 43 is ( 20 + 1) = 21.
Subtracting eqs. (i), (ii) and (iii) successively from (iv), we get
1 1
log z = k ⋅ , log x = k ⋅ , log y =
k Exp. 18) How many zeros are there between the
z x y decimal point and the first significant figure in ( 0.5) 100 ?
z log z = k , x log x = k 1
or Given that log = 1 .6990
and y log y = k or x log x = y log y = z log z 2
or log ( x x) = log ( y y ) = log (z z) Solution Let x = ( 0.5)100
Hence x x = y y =z z ∴ log x = 100 log (0.5) = 100 × 1.6990
= 100 ( − 1 + 0.6990) = − 100 + 69.90
Exp. 13) If log a bc = x, log b ca = y, log c ab = z, prove that = − 31 + 0.90 = 31.90
1 1 1 Since the characteristics of log ( 0.5)100 is 31, the number of
+ + = 1.
x+1 y+1 z+1 zeros between the decimal point and the first significant
1 1 1 figure is 31 − 1 = 30.
Solution + +
x+ 1 y + 1 z + 1
1 1 1 Exp. 19) If x ( y + z − x) = y (z + x − y) = z ( x + y − z) , then
= + + log x log y log z
(log a bc) + 1 (log b ca) + 1 (log c ab) + 1
1 1 1 (a) xy = yz = zx (b) x y y x = z y y z = x zz x
= + +
log a bc + log a a log b ca + log b b log c ab + log c c (c) xyz = 1 (d) none of these
=
1
+
1
+
1 x ( y + z − x) y (z + x − y)
Solution Let =
log a abc log b abc log c abc log x log y
 1  x ( x + y − z) 1
= log abc a + log abc b + log abc c Q log a b =  = = (say)
 log b a  log z k
= log abc ( abc) = 1 ⇒ log x = kx ( y + z − x); log y = ky (z + x − y)
log z = kz ( x + y − z)
Exp. 14) Given log 2 = 0.3010 and log 3 = 0.4771, find Hence y log x + x log y = 2kxyz, y log z + z log y = 2kxyz
the value of log 45. z log x + x log z = 2kxyz
Solution log 45 = log 3 2 . 5 = log 3 2 + log 5 = 2 log 3 + log 5 Thus y log x + x log y = y log z + z log y = z log x + x log z
10 ⇒ log ( x y y x) = log (z y y z) = log ( x zz x)
= 2 × 0.4771 + log = 0.9542 + log 10 − log 2
2
⇒ x y y x = z y y z = x zz x
= 0.9542 + 1 − 0.3010 = 1.6532
894 QUANTUM CAT
Introductory Exercise 16.1
1. If x y = k, then : 14. The value of log2 (log3 81) is :
(a) logy k = x (b) logx y = k (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 6
(c) logk x = y (d) logx k = y 15. The value of log2 log2 log3 log5 (125 ) is : 3

2. If logm n = p, then : (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

(a) m n = p (b) pn = m 16. The value of log2 log2 log2 log2 (65536 ) is :
(c) m p = n (d) np = m
(a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) 0
3. loga (mn) is equal to : 17. The value of
(a) n loga (m ) (b) loga m × loga n log10 1 + log10 10 + log10 100 + ... log10 10000000000
(c) loga m + loga n (d) loga m − loga n (a) 10 (b) 11
(c) 11111111111 (d) 55
4. loga   is equal to :
m
 n 18. The value of log5 5 + log5 52 + log5 53 + ... + log5 5 n :
(a) loga (m − n) (b) loga m − loga n (a) n ! (b) n2 − 1
(loga m ) (n + 1) n
(c) (d) loga m ÷ loga n (c) (d) none of these
n 2
5. The value of log81 27 is : 19. The value of log3 81
is :
27
4 3 1
(a) 37 (b) (c) (d) (a) 27381 (b) 531441
3 4 3 (c) 65631 (d) none of these
1 20. The value of 49 is :
6. The value of log36 is : 216 log6
216
(a) 117694 (b) 117649
2 3
(a) (b) − (c) 216649 (d) none of these
3 2
( −1 4 log5 25)
1 21. The value of 25 is :
(c) (d) none of these
6 1 1
(a) (b) −
5 25
7. The value of log 216 is :
6
(c) − 25 (d) none of these
1
(a) (b) 6 (c) 3 (d) 6 22. (log10 500000 − log10 5 ) is equal to :
6
(a) 5 (b) 50
8. The value of log3 5832 is :
2 (c) 49995 (d) 100000
(a) 12 (b) 9 23. If log5[log3 (log2 x)] = 1, then x is :
(c) 6 (d) none of these
(a) 2234 (b) 243
9. The value of log( − 1 5) 625 is : (c) 2243 (d) none of these
1 24. If log2 log10 4 x = 1, then the value of x is :
(a) (b) − 5 (c) − 4 (d) − 3
4
(a) 1/25 (b) 25
10. The value of log10 (0.0001) is :
(c) 5 (d) none of these
1
(a) (b) − 3 4
1000 25. If log27 x = , then the value of x is :
3
(c) − 4 (d) none of these
(a) 9
11. The value of log ( 0.01) (10000 ) is : (b) 27
(a) 1/2 (b) − 2 (c) 1/4 (d) − 4 (c) 81
12. The value of (log4 32 + log9 243 ) : (d) none of the above
(a) 5 (b) 4  4 1
26. If logx   = − , then the value of x is :
(c) 3 (d) none of these  9 2
13. The value of (log2 8 + log3 9 + log5 25 ) is : 16 2
(a) (b) −
81 3
(a) 5 (b) 6
81
(c) 7 (d) none of these (c) (d) none of these
16
Logarithm 895

27. If log100 x = − 4 , then the value of x is :  1 1 1 

39. The value of  + +  is :
1 loga b x logb c x logc a x 
(a) (b) (10 )− 4
(10 )− 4
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) abc (d) x3
1
(c) (d) none of these 40. If log10 2 = 0.3010, then log2 10 is :
(10 )8
1, (a) 3.010 (b) 1.5050
28. If log100 x = − then the value of x is : (c) 3.3222 (d) none of these
2
(a) 0.001 (b)
1 41. If 2 x . 32x = 100 , then the value of x is
10 (log 2 = 0.3010, log 3 = 0.4771)
(c) 0.00001 (d) 10 − 2 (a) 2.3 (b) 1.59
1, (c) 1.8 (d) 1.41
29. If logx (0.2 ) = − then the value of x is :
4
42. If log10 2 = 0.3010 and 5 x = 400 , then the value of x is:
(a) 4 − 5 (b) 0.016
(c) 5 4 (d) none of these (a) 3.72 (b) 2.52
(c) 0 (d) none of these
30. The value of x satisfying log243 x = 0.8 is :
43. If log 2 = 0.3010, the number of digits in 520 is :
(a) 81 (b) 1.8
(c) 2.43 (d) none of these (a) 16 (b) 14
(c) 8 (d) none of these
31. If loge (x − 1) + loge x + loge (x + 1) = 0 , then
44. If log (m + n) = log m + log n, then :
(a) x2 + e − 1 (b) x3 − x − 1 = 0
(c) x2 + e − 1 = 0 (d) x3 − x − e = 0 (a) mn = 1 (b) m = − n
m
32. The value of log3 5 × log25 9 is : (c) =n (d) none of these
(m − 1)
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) 2 (d) 4 45. If log10 a + log10 b = c, then the value of a is :
c
 14 11 22  (a) bc (b)
33. The value of log + log − log  is : b
 3 5 15 
(10 )c 10b
(a) log77 (b) log11 (c) (d)
b c
(c) log 7 (d) none of these
46. The mantissa of log 3274 is 0.5150. The value of log
  81  25  16  
34. The value of 3 log   + 5 log   + 7 log    is (0.3274) is :
  80   24  15  
(a) 1 .5150 (b) 1.5150
(a) log 3 (b) log 5
(c) 2.5150 (d) none of these
(c) log 7 (d) log 2
47. If log10 x = 1.9675, then the value of log10 (100x) is :
 a3 b3 c3 
35. log + log + log  is equal to : (a) 196.75 (b) 3.9675
 bc ac ab
(c) 2.9675 (d) none of these
(a) 1 (b) log abc
 1 1
(c) abc (d) none of these 48. If 5 x = (0.5) y = 1000 , then the value of  −  is :
 x y
1 1 1
36. + + is equal to: 1 1
(loga bc) + 1 (logb ac) + 1 (logc ab) + 1 (a) (b)
4 3
(a) 1 (b) 2 1
(c) 0 (d) abc (c) (d) 1
2
1 1 1 1 1
37. + + is equal to : 49. If log x + log y + log 2 = log (x + y), then :
logab abc logbc abc logca abc 2 2
(a) 0 (b) 1 (a) x + y = 0 (b) x = y
(c) 2 (d) 3 (c) x = 2 , y = 0 (d) x = log y
 1 1 1  50. If p = log3 5 and q = log17 25, which one of the
38. The value of  + +  is :
 log5 210 log6 210 log7 210  following is correct ?
(a) 0 (b) 1 (a) p < q (b) p = q
(c) 18 (d) 21 (c) p > q (d) can't say
896 QUANTUM CAT
51. If x2 + 4 y2 = 12 xy, then log (x + 2 y) is equal to : 58. logy x = ?
1 x
(a) (log x + log y + 2 log 2 ) (a) x loge y (b)
2 loge y
1 loge x loge y
(b) (log x + log y + 4 log 2 ) (c) (d)
2 loge y loge x
1
(c) (log x + log y − log 2 ) 59. The value of
2
16   25   81
(d) none of the above log10 2 + 16 log10   + 12 log10   + 7 log10  
15   24   80 
52. The value of (2log3 7 − 7log3 2 ) is :
is :
(a) 0 (b) 1 (a) 0 (b) 1
(c) log7 5 (d) log7 6 (c) 2 (d) 3
1 1 1 n (n + 1) 60. If log10 x = a , log10 y = b and log10 z = c, then
53. + + + ... to n terms = ,
log2 a log4 a log8 a k antilog ( pa + qb − rc) = ?
then k is equal to : pxqy
(a) (b) px + qy − rz
(b) log2  
a rz
(a) log2 a2
 2 x p yq
(c) (d) x p yqz r
(c) loga 2 (d) none of these zr
54. The value of (log tan 1° + log tan 2 °+ ... + log tan 89 ° ) 61. log10 a p . bq . cr = ?
is : (a) pqr (log10 abc)
(a) − 1 (b) 0 (b) p log10 a + q log10 b + r log10 c
1 (c) pqr (log10 a + log10 b + log10 c)
(c) (d) 1
2 (d) (log10 a ) p + (log10 b) q + (log10 c)r
 x 1 62. If a , b, c are in GP then log10 a , log10 b, log10 c are in :
55. The value of x for which log9 x − log9  +  = 1 is :
10 9  (a) GP (b) HP
(a) 2 (c) AP (d) none of these
(b) 4 63. If log10 x, log10 y, log10 z are in AP then x, y, z are in :
(c) 9
(a) AP (b) GP
(d) 10
(c) HP (d) none of these
56. If (x 4 − 2 x2 y2 + y 4 )a − 1 = (x − y)2a (x + y)− 2 , then the 1 , 1 , 1
64. If a , b, c are in GP then are in :
value of a is : loga x logb x logc x
x− y
(a) (x2 − y2 ) (b) (a) AP (b) GP
x+ y (c) HP (d) none of these
log (x + y) log (x − y)
(c) (d) 65. If log (x − 1) + log (x + 1) = 3 log 2 , then x is equal to :
log (x − y) log (x + y)
(a) ± 1 (b) 4
57. log2 7 is : (c) ± 3 (d) none of these
(a) an integer 66. If a , b, c are three consecutive integers, then
(b) a prime number log (ac +1) has the value :
(c) a rational number (a) log b (b) (log b)2
(d) an irrational number (c) 2 log b (d) log 2b
 CAT-Test
Questions Helping you bell the CAT

LEVEL 01 > BASIC LEVEL EXERCISE

1 Find the value of log10 7 13 if log1013 = 1.1139 : 12 The first term and the last term of a GP are a and k
(a) 0.15913 (b) 0.5119 respectively. If the number of terms be n, then n is equal to
(c) 1.15913 (d) none of these (r → common ratio) :
log k − log a log a + log k
2 Find the logarithm of 144 to the base 2 3 : (a) 1 − (b) 1 +
log r log r
(a) 8 (b) 4
log k − log a
(c) 2 3 (d) none of these (c) 1 + (d) log r = log k − log a
log r
3 If log a N = (log b N ) × P , then find P in terms of a and b :
(a) ba (b) ab 13 If a, b, c are in GP , then log a d, log b d, log c d are in :
(c) log a b (d) none of these (a) AP (b) HP
(c) GP (d) none of these
4 The value of log (ab)2 − log (ac) + log (bc4 ) − 3 log (bc) is :
14 Find the value of x for log x 2 . log x /16 2 = log x 64 2 :
(a) 0 (b) log b
(a) 4 (b) 4, 16 (c) 4,8 (d) 4, 8, 32
(c) log c (d) log a
15 Find the value of x and y respectively for
5 If log 2 x + log 4 x + log 64 x = 5, find x :
(a) 8 (b) 16 (c) 7 (d) 2 log10( x 2 y 3 ) = 7 and log10( x y ) = 1 :

6 If log q ( xy ) = 3 and log q ( x 2 y 3 ) = 4, find the value of log q x (a) x = 10, y = 100 (b) x = 100, y = 10
(c) x = 10, y = 20 (d) none of these
(a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) 2
 1   1 
log x log y log z    
7 If = = , then xyz is  1 − log a x   1 − log a y 
l + m − 2n m + n − 2l n + l − 2m 16 If y = a and z = a , then x is equal to :
equal to : 1
(a) 1 + log yz (b)
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) lmn (d) 2 1 − log a z
 1 
th th th  
8 If a, b, c be the p , q , r terms of a GP then the value of  1 − log a z  y
(c) a (d)
(q − r) log a + (r − p) log b + ( p − q) log c is : z
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) − 1 (d) pqr 17 If x = log c b + log b c, y = log a c + log c a and
3−x x+ 5  b z = log b a + log a b, then x 2 + y 2 + z 2 is equal to :
9 If a 5x
b =a 3x
b , then the value of x log   is :
 a (a) 1 (b) 2
(c) xyz (d) xyz + 4
(a) log a (b) log b 1 1 1
(c) log x (d) 1 18 Find the value of + + + . . . is :
log 3 e log 3 e2 log 3 e4
10 If u = v 2 = w 3 = z 4, then log u(uvwz ) is equal to : (a) log e 9 (b) 0
1 1 1 (c) 1 (d) log e 270
(a) 1 + − − (b) 24
2 3 4
1 1 1 1
19 If log10 x 2 − log10 y = 1, find the value of y, when x = 2
(c) 1 + + + (d)
2 3 4 24 (a) 2/9 (b) 4/25 (c) 25/4 (d) 4/9
log 27 + log 8 − log 125 20 Find the value of (b ) 2 5 log b x
:
11 Find the value of :
log 6 − log 5 (a) 10x (b) x 4 (c) 10 x (d) x10
2 1
(a) (b) 21 Find the value of (7 3 )− 2 log7 8 :
3 3
3 (a) 8− 7 (b) 6− 8
(c) (d) none of these (c) 8− 6 (d) none of these
2
898 QUANTUM CAT
22 log 12900 is equal to : 35 If log x a, ax 2 and log b x are in GP, then x is equal to :
(a) 2 log 129 (b) log 129 + log 2 (a) log a (log b a) (b) log a (log e a) − log a (log e b)
(c) 4 + log 1.29 (d) none of these (c) − log a (log a b) (d) both (a) and (b)
23 log 0.786 is equal to : 36 If 1, log 9(31 − x + 2) and log 3(4 . 3 x − 1) are in AP, then x is
(a) log 786 − log 3 (b) log 78.6 − log 100 equal to :
(c) log 786 − 3 (d) both (b) and (c) (a) log 4 3 (b) log 3 4
24 If log 5 x = y, then 5 5y
is equal to : (c) 1 + log 3 4 (d) log 3(3 4)
1 1 1 1
(a)
x
(b) 5x (c) log x 5 (d) x 5 37 The value of + + + . . . .+ is:
5 log100 n log 99 n log 98 n log 2 n
1 1 1
25 If A = log13 189 and B = log 23 521, then which one of the (a) 1 (b) (c) (d)
log100! n log n 99 ! log n 100 !
following is correct?
(a) A < B (b) A = B 38 If log 2(1 + 3 x − 1 ) + 2 = log 2(32x − 2 + 7 ), then x is :
(c) A > B (d) none of these (a) 0 (b) 1
26 If A = (log 3 2 187 ) and B = log 2187, then which one of (c) 2 (d) both (b) and (c)
243
5 39 x log 5 x > 5 implies :
the following is correct?
(a) x ∈ (0, ∞ ) (b) x ∈ (1, ∞ )
(a) A < B (b) A = B
(c) x ∈(1, 2) (d) x ∈ (0, 1 5) ∪ (5, ∞ )
(c) A > B (d) can’t be determined
40 Find x, if log x 3 − log 3x = 2 log 2 + log 3 :
27 If (150)x = 7, then x is equal to :
log 7 log 7 (a) 3 (b) 6
(a) (b) (c) 9 (d) none of these
(log 3) + (log 5) + 1 (log 3) + (log 6)
log 7 41 If x satisfies log 5, (2x + 3) < log 5 7, then x lies in :
(c) (d) none of these  3  3 
(log 3) + (log 5) + 10 (a)  − , 2 (b)  , 2 (c) (0, ∞ ) (d) (0, 2)
 2  2 
28 The value of x satisfying the following relation
42 Find x, if log 2x x + log 2 x =0:
log1 2 x = log 2(3x − 2) (a) 1, 2− 5 6
x
(b) 1, 2− 6 5
1 1 (c) 4, − 2
(a) (b) − (d) none of these
3 3
(c) 3 (d) none of these 43 For a positive real x ( x > 1), which one of the following is
correct ?
29 If log 2( x + y ) = 3 and log 2 x + log 2 y = 2 + log 2 3 then the x x
(a) < x < log ( x + 1) (b) x < < log ( x + 1)
values of x and y are 1+ x 1+ x
(a) x = 1, y = 8 (b) x = 4, y = 4 x x
(c) log ( x + 1) < < x (d) < log ( x + 1) < x
(c) x = 4, y = 8 (d) x = 2, y = 6 1+ x 1+ x
30 The set of all the solutions of the equation 44 For x ∈ N , x > 1, if P = log x ( x + 1) and
log 5 x log 6 x log7 x = log 5 x . log 6 x + log 6 x . log7 x Q = log( x + 1)( x + 2), then which one of the following is
+ log7 x . log 5 x is : correct ?
(a) {0, 1} (b) {1, 210} (a) P < Q (b) P = Q
(c) {1, 5, 6, 7, 210} (d) none of these (c) P > Q (d) can’t be determined

log 3 54 log 3 1458 45 If a = 1 + log x yz, b = 1 + log y zx and c = 1 + log z xy, then
31 The value of − is : ab + bc + ca is :
log 486 3 log18 3
(a) 1 (b) 0
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 (c) abc (d) none of these
32 The number of solutions of log 9(2x − 5) = log 3( x − 4) is : 46 Find the values of x and y for the given equation
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 xy 2 = 4 and log 3(log 2 x ) + log1 3(log1 2 y ) = 1 :
1 1
33 If log 3 2, log 3(2 x − 5) and log 3(2 x − 7 2) are in AP then x is (a) x = , y = 64 (b) x = , y = 48
8 4
equal to : 1
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 (c) x = 64, y = (d) none of these
4
34 If 1, log y x, log z y, − 15 log x z are in AP, then 47 Find x if log1 (1 8 ) = log 2(4x + 1). log 2(4x + 1 + 4) :
(a) z 3 = x (b) x = y − 1 2

(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) z − 3 = y (d) x = y −1 = z 3
(c) 2 (d) none of these
Logarithm 899

48 The value of x satisfying 50 Solve the following equations for x and y

1
log 3 4 − 2 log 3 3x + 1 = 1 − log 3(5x − 2) log100 x + y = , log10 y − log10 x = log100 4 :
2
(a) 1 (b) 2  8 , 16
(c) 3 (d) none of these (a)   ( − 8, − 16)
3 3
49 The solution set of 3 − 4 x > 2 is :  10 20
(b)  ,  , (− 10, 20)
7   1 7  3 3
(a)  , ∞ (b)  − , 
4   4 4  10 , 20
(c)  − −  , (70, 20)
 1  7   1 5   3 3
(c)  − ∞, −  ∪  , ∞ (d)  − ∞,  ∪  , ∞
 4  4   4 4  (d) none of the above

LEVEL 02 > HIGHER LEVEL EXERCISE

1 In the adjoining diagram there are two curvature graphs 4 Find the value of log m + log m2 + log m3 + . . . + log mn :
of log a x and log b x shown for x > 0. If (a, b) > 0 and n (n + 1) mn
a ≠ b ≠ 1, then : (a) (b)
2 2
y n (n + 1)
(c) log m (d) n (n + 1) log m2
loga x 2
3
5 The greatest possible value of n could be if 9n < 108, given
2 logb x
that log 3 = 0.4771 and n ∈ N :
1 (a) 7 (b) 8 (c) 9 (d) 10
x
0 1 2 3 6 The set of solutions for all x satisfying the equation
2
+ (log 3 x )2 − 10 1
(a) a < b (b) a > b x log 3 x = is :
(c) can't be determined (d) none of the above x2
(a) {1, 9} (b) {1, 4, 16} (c) {1, 9, 81} (d)
2 In the adjoining diagram graphs of log a x and log b x are  , 1 , 
shown for x > 0 and 0 < a < 1, then : 9 1
 81 

4 7 The set of all the solutions of the inequality

log( 2 − x )( x − 3) ≥ 1 is :
3 (a) x < 2 (b) x > 3
(c) ( x < 2) ∪ ( x > 3) (d) none of these
2
8 If log 30 = 1 and log 30 = 1 then the value of 3 log 2
1 3 5 30
a b
x is:
0 1 2 3 4 (a) 3 (1 + a + b) (b) 2(1 − a − b)
(c) 3(1 − a − b) (d) 3(1 + a − b)
loga x 2
9 The set of all values of x satisfying x log x 3−x
=4:
logb x (a) ( 3, 2) (b) (1, 5) (c) [1, ∞ ) (d) {1, 5}

(a) a < b (b) a > b 10 The number of solutions of the expression satisfying
2 2
(c) can't be determined (d) none of these 4x + 2 − 9 . 2x + 2
+ 8 = 0 is :
3 Find the sum of ‘n’ terms of the series. (a) 0 (b) 1
2 3 4
(c) 2 (d) none of these
 x  x  x  x
log 2   + log 4   + log 8   + log16   + . . . : 11 The number of solutions satisfying, for x ∈ R
 y  y  y  y  2 9 
(log 3 x ) − 2 log 3 x + 5 
 x
4n
 x x =3 3
(a) log 2   (b) n  log 2 
 y  y (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
n−1 n( n + 1)
x 1  x 12 Find the values of x satisfying
(c) log 2  n − 1  (d) log 2  
y  2  y log x 2 + 6x + 8
log 2x 2 + 2x + 3 ( x 2 − 2x ) = 0 is :

(a) 0 (b) − 1 (c) 2 (d) − 3

900 QUANTUM CAT
13 For every p being real number the solution set of the 19 The equation x[( 3 4)(log 2 x )2 + log 2 x − ( 5 4)] = 2 has :
inequality
(a) at least one real solution
log10 p + (log10 10 p)2 + (log10100p )2 ≤ log10(10)9 (b) exactly three real solutions
(a) p ≥ 10− 4 (b) p > 101 2 (c) exactly one irrational solution
(d) all of these
(c) 10− 4 ≤ p ≤ 101 2 (d) none of the above
20 The values of x for which the given equation satisfy
14 The number of real solutions of the equation
log( 2x + 3)(6 x 2 + 23x + 21) = 4 − log( 3x + 7 )(4 x 2 + 12x + 9)
2 log 2 log 2 x + log1 2 log 2(2 2x ) = 1 is :
(a) 1 (b) 2 are :
(c) 3 (d) more than 3 1 1 1,
(a) (− 8, 5) (b) − only (c) − 4 , − (d) − −2
4 4 4
15 The number of solutions of the equation
log x 2 x 2 + 40 log 4x x − 14 log16x x 3 = 0 is : 21 Find all real values of x satisfying equation
log x 2 − 2 log x 9
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 x −1 = ( x − 1)7
16 Find the solution set of x, for the given inequality (a) (2, 9) (b) (9, 81)
(5)2 − ( x )2 2 (12 − x ) − x 2 (c) (2, 81) (d) none of these
log m n > 1, where m = 2
and n = :
(4) 14 22 Find the value of x 0, if ( x 0, y 0 ) be the solution of the
(a) (− 5, 4) (b) {−3, 3} following equations
(c) (− 3, 1) ∪ (3, 4) (d) none of these (2x )ln 2 = (3y )ln 3; 3ln x = 2ln y
17 Find the values of x satisfying the following system of (a) 1/6 (b) 1/3 (c) 1/2 (d) 6
inequalities
23 The number log 20 3 lies in
(2 − x )( x − 8) 2x (a) (3/4, 4/5) (b) (1/3, 1/2)
≥ 0 and − (25 − 1) > 0
10   5  8 (c) (1/2, 3/4) (d) (1/4, 1/3)
log 3 10 log 2   
7   2 
24 Find the number of consecutive zeros in the non-integral
(a) 6 (b) 8 (c) 4 (d) (2, 8) 5
part of the number if log 5 = 0. 4771.
18 The least value of expression 2 log10 x − log x (1 100) for 50050
x > 1 is : (a) 125 (b) 124
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 (c) 123 (d) 100

Answers
Introductory Exercise 16.1

1 (d) 2 (c) 3 (c) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (b) 7 (d) 8 (c) 9 (c) 10 (c)
11 (b) 12 (a) 13 (c) 14 (c) 15 (a) 16 (c) 17 (d) 18 (c) 19 (b) 20 (b)
21 (a) 22 (a) 23 (c) 24 (b) 25 (c) 26 (c) 27 (c) 28 (b) 29 (c) 30 (a)
31 (b) 32 (b) 33 (c) 34 (d) 35 (b) 36 (a) 37 (c) 38 (b) 39 (a) 40 (c)
41 (b) 42 (a) 43 (b) 44 (c) 45 (c) 46 (a) 47 (b) 48 (b) 49 (b) 50 (c)
51 (b) 52 (a) 53 (a) 54 (b) 55 (d) 56 (d) 57 (d) 58 (c) 59 (b) 60 (c)
61 (b) 62 (c) 63 (b ) 64 (a) 65 (d) 66 (c)
Level 01 Basic Level Exercise
1 (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 (a) 6 (b) 7 (b) 8 (a) 9 (a) 10 (c)
11 (c) 12 (c) 13 (b) 14 (c) 15 (b) 16 (c) 17 (d) 18 (a) 19 (b) 20 (d)
21 (c) 22 (c) 23 (d) 24 (d) 25 (c) 26 (b) 27 (a) 28 (d) 29 (d) 30 (b)
31 (d) 32 (b) 33 (b) 34 (d) 35 (d) 36 (d) 37 (b) 38 (d) 39 (d) 40 (b)
41 (a) 42 (b) 43 (d) 44 (c) 45 (c) 46 (c) 47 (a) 48 (a) 49 (d) 50 (b)
Level 02 Higher Level Exercise

1 (a) 2 (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (b) 6 (d) 7 (d) 8 (c) 9 (d) 10 (c)
11 (d) 12 (b) 13 (c) 14 (a) 15 (d) 16 (c) 17 (b) 18 (c) 19 (d) 20 (b)
21 (c) 22 (c) 23 (b) 24 (c)
 Hints & Solutions
Introductory Exercise 16.1
1 xy = k ⇔ log x k = y 16 log 2 log 2 log 2 log 2(65536) = log 2 log 2 log 2 log 2(216 )
2 log m n = p ⇔ m p = n = log 2 log 2 log 2 16 = log 2 log 2 4
= log 2 2 = 1
3 log a (mn) ⇔ log a m + log a n
17 log10 1 + log10 10 + log10 100 + . . . + log10 10000000000
 m
4 log a   = log a m − log a n = log10(1 × 10 × 100 × . . . × 10000000000)
 n
= log10 10( 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + .... 10) = log10 1055 = 55
log10 27 log10 33 3 log10 3 3
5 log 81 27 = = = =
log10 81 log10 34 4 log10 3 4 Alternatively

 1  −3 log 6− 3 log10 1 + log10 10 + log10 102 + . . . + log10 1010

6 log 36   = log 36 6 =
 216 log 36 = 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + . . . + 10 = 55
− 3 log 6 3 18 log 5 5 + log 5 52 + log 5 53 + . . . + log 5 5n
= =−
2 log 6 2
n (n + 1)
= 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n =
log 216 log ( 6 )6 6 log 6 2
7 log 6
216 = = = =6
log 6 log 6 log 6 19 27 log 3 81 = 33 log 3 81
8 log 3 2
5832 = log 3 2 (18)3 = log 3 2[(3 2)2]3 3
= 3log 3( 81) = (81)3 = 531441 (Q alog a m = m)
= log 3 2 (3 2)6 = 6 (Q log a am = m) 20 216log 6 49 = 63 log 6 49
9 Let log( − 1 5) 625 = x
3
= 6log 6( 49) = (49)3 = 117649
x x
 1  1 21 25[( − 1 4) log 5 25] = 5[ 2 ( − 1 4) log 5 25]
∴  −  = 625 ⇒  −  = (5)
4
 5  5
−1 2 1
⇒ (− 5)− x = (5)4 = (− 5)4 ⇒ x = − 4 = 5( − 1 2) log 5 25 = 5log 5( 25) = 25− 1 2 =
5
10 Let log10(0.0001) = x  500000
22 log10 500000 − log10 5 = log10   = log10 100000
−4  5 
∴ 10 = 0.0001 = 10
x

⇒ x=−4 = log10 105 = 5

11 Let log 0.01(10000) = x 23 log 5[log 3(log 2 x )] = 1 = log 5 5

∴ (0.01)x = 10000 ⇒ (10− 2 )x = 10000 ⇒ log 3(log 2 x ) = 5 = log 3 35

⇒ 10− 2x = 104 ⇒ x=−2 ⇒ log 2 x = 35 = 243 ⇒ 2243 = x

log 32 log 243 24 log 2 log10 4 x = 1 = log 2 2
12 log 4 32 + log 9 243 = +
log 4 log 9 ⇒ log10 4 x = 2 = log10 102 = log10 100
5 log 2 2 5 log 3 3 5 5
= + = + =5 ⇒ 4 x = 100 ⇒ x = 25
2 log 2 2 2 log 3 3 2 2
4
25 If log 27 x = ⇒ (27 )4 3 = x
13 log 2 23 + log 3 32 + log 5 52 = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 3
14 log 2(log 3 81) = log 2(log 3 34 ) = log 2(4 log 3 3) ⇒ (33 )4 3 = x ⇒ 34 = x ⇒ x = 81

= log 2 4 = log 2 22 = 2  4 1
26 log x   = −
 9 2
15 log 2 log 2 log 3 log 5(125)3 = log 2 log 2 log 3 log 5 59
4 1 4
⇒ x−1 2 = ⇒ =
= log 2 log 2 log 3 9 9 x1 2 9
= log 2 log 2(2) = log 2 1 = 0 12 2
 1 4 1  4 81
⇒   = ⇒ =  ⇒ x=
 x 9 x  9 16
902 QUANTUM CAT
27 log100 x = − 4 ⇒ (100)− 4 = x 37
1
+
1
+
1
1 log ab abc log bc abc log ca abc
⇒ x = (102 )− 4 = 10− 8 ⇒ x =
108 = log abc (ab) + log abc (bc) + log abc (ca)
1 = log abc (abc)2 = 2
28 log100 x = − ⇒ (100)−1 2 = x
2 1 1 1
38 + +
⇒ (102 )− 1 2 = x ⇒ 10− 1 = x log 5 210 log 6 210 log7 210

⇒ x=
1 = log 210 5 + log 210 6 + log 210 7
10 = log 210 (5 × 6 × 7 ) = log 210 210 = 1
1
29 log x 0.2 = − 39
1
+
1
+
1
4 log a b x log b c x log c a x
4
2  2
⇒ x − 1 4 = 0.2 = ⇒ x−1 =   a b c
10  10 = log x + log x + log x
b c a
4
 10  a b c
⇒ x=  ⇒ x = 54 = log x  × ×  = log x 1 = 0
 2  b c a
30 log 243 x = 0.8 1 1
40 log 2 10 = = = 3.3222
⇒ 243 0.8
=x ⇒ (3 ) 5 45
=x log10 2 0.3010

⇒ 3 =x
4
⇒ x = 81 41 2 x . 32x = 100

31 log e ( x − 1) + log e x + log e ( x + 1) = 0 ⇒ x log 2 + 2x log 3 = log 100

⇒ x (0.3010 + 2 × 0.4771) = 2
⇒ log e ( x − 1) × x ( x + 1) = log e 1
2
⇒ log e ( x 2 − 1)x = log e 1 ⇒ x= = 1.59
1.2552
⇒ ( x 2 − 1) x = 1
42 log10 2 = 0.3010 and 5x = 400
⇒ x − x −1 = 0
3
∴ 5x = 400
2
log 5 log 3 log 5 2 log 3 ⇒ x log 5 = log 4 + log 100
32 log 3 5 × log 25 9 = × = × =1
log 3 log 52 log 3 2 log 5
⇒ x (log 10 − log 2) = 2 log 2 + 2
14 11 22 ⇒ x (1 − 0.3010) = 2 (0.3010 + 1)
33 log + log − log
3 5 15
⇒ x = 3.72
 14 11 15
= log  × ×  = log 7 43 5 20
= 20 log 5
 3 5 22
 10
81
+ 5 log
25
+ 7 log
16 = 20 log   = 20 (log 10 − log 2)
34 3 log  2
80 24 15
 81 3  25 5  16 7  = 20 × [1 − 0.3010 ]
= log   ×   ×    = 20 × 0.6990 =13.98
   24  15
 80 
Characteristic = 13
 312 × 510 × 228 
= log  12  ∴ Number of digits = (13 + 1) = 14
2 × 5 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 
3 15 5 7 7
44 log (m + n) = log m + log n
= log 2
⇒ log (m + n ) = log (mn)
a3 b3 c3  a3b3c3 
35 log + log + log = log   = log abc ⇒ m + n = mn
bc ac ab  ab . bc . ac
m = n (m − 1)
1 1 1 m
36 + + ⇒ n=
(log a bc) + 1 (log b ac) + 1 (log c ab) + 1 (m − 1)
1 1 1
= + + 45 log10 a + log10 b = c
log a bc + log a a log b ac + log b b log c ab + log c c
⇒ log10(ab) = c ⇒ 10c = ab
1 1 1
= + +
log a abc log b abc log c abc (10)c
⇒ a=
b
= log abc a + log abc b + log abc c = log abc abc = 1
Logarithm 903

46 Since 0.3274 gives characteristic 1. Therefore value of 1 1 1 1 n (n + 1)

53 + + + ... + =
log 2 a log 4 a log 8 a log 2n a k
log (0.3274) = 1.5150
47 log10 (100 x ) = log10 100 + log10 x n (n + 1)
= log a 2 + log a 22 + log a 23 + . . . + log a 2n =
k
= 2 + 1.9675 = 3.9675
n (n + 1)
⇒ (log a 2)(1 + 2 + 3 + . . . . + n) =
48 (5) = 1000
x
k
⇒ 5 = 103 x …(i)  n (n + 1) n (n + 1) 1 1
⇒ (log a 2) = ⇒ log a 2 =
 5
y  2  k 2 k
And (0.5)y = 1000 ⇒   = 103
 10 2 k
⇒ log a 2 = ⇒ log 2 a =
(3 + y ) k 2
⇒ 5y = 103 × 10 y ⇒ 5 = 10 y
…(ii) ⇒ 2 log 2 a = k ⇒ log 2 a2 = k
From eq. (i) and (ii) 54 log tan 1° + log tan 2° + . . . + log tan 89°
(3 + y )
3 3+ y = (log tan 1° + log tan 89° ) + (log tan 2° + log tan 88° )
5 = 103 x = 10 y
⇒ =
x y + . . . . + log tan 45°
1 1 1 = log (tan 1° . tan 89° ) + log (tan 2° . tan 88° ) + . . . log 1
⇒ − =
x y 3 = log (tan 1° . cot 1° ) + log (tan 2° . cot 2° ) + . . . log 1
1 1 = log 1 + log 1 + . . . + log 1
49 log x + log y + log 2 = log ( x + y )
2 2 (Q tan (90 − θ ) = cot θ and tan 45° = 1) = 0
⇒ log ( x1 2 y1 2 × 2) = log ( x + y )  x 1
55 log 9 x − log 9  +  = 1 = log 9 9
 10 9
⇒ 2 xy = ( x + y ) ⇒ 4 xy = ( x + y )2
x
⇒ ( x + y )2 − 4 xy = 0 ⇒ ( x − y )2 = 0 ⇒ log 9 = log 9 9
 x 1
 + 
⇒ x−y=0 ⇒ x= y  10 9
50 q = log17 (5) = 2 log17 5
2
x x × 90
⇒ =9 ⇒ =9
1 1  x 1 9 x + 10
⇒ = log 5 17  + 
q 2  10 9

1 1 ⇒ 10 x = 9 x + 10 ⇒ x = 10
And = log 5 3 = × (2 log 5 3)
p 2 Alternatively Go through options.
1 [( x 2 − y 2 )2]a − 1 = ( x − y )2a ( x + y )− 2
= (log 5 9) 56
2
⇒ ( x 2 − y 2 )2 ( a − 1) = ( x − y )2a ( x + y )− 2
1 1
∴ < ⇒ p>q
p q ⇒( x − y )2( a − 1) ( x + y )2( a − 1) = ( x − y )2a ( x + y )− 2

51 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 12xy ( x − y )2a − 2 ( x + y )2a − 2

⇒ =1
( x − y )2a ( x + y )− 2
⇒ x 2 + (2y )2 + 4 xy = 12xy + 4 xy
⇒ ( x − y )− 2 ( x + y )2a = 1
⇒ ( x + 2y )2 = 16 xy
⇒ − 2 log ( x − y ) + 2a log ( x + y ) = log 1
⇒ ( x + 2y )2 = (24 ) xy
log ( x − y )
⇒ 2 log ( x + 2y ) = 4 log 2 + log x + log y ⇒ 2a log ( x + y ) = 2 log ( x − y ) ⇒ a =
log ( x + y )
1
⇒ log( x + 2y ) = (log x + log y + 4 log 2)
2 57 Let log 2 7 be a rational

52 log 3 7 =
log 2 7
= (log 2 7 )(log 3 2)  p
log 2 3 log 2 7 =   q≠0
 q
log 3 7 = (log 3 2)(log 2 7 ) = log 2 7 log 3 2 ⇒ 2( p q ) = 7 ⇒ 2p = 7 q
log 2 7 log 3 2
∴ 2log 3 7 = 2 Here p and q being the integers cannot satisfy the above
⇒ 2 log 3 7
=7 log 3 2 relation.
Hence, log 2 7 is an irrational number.
⇒ 2log 3 7 − 7 log 3 2 = 0
(Clearly (a) and (b) are wrong)
904 QUANTUM CAT
x log e x 63 log10 x, log10 y, log10 z are in AP
58 log = (see the theory)
y log e y
∴ 2 log10 y = log10 x + log10 z
16 12 7
 16  25  81 ⇒ log10 y 2 = log10( xz )
59 log10 2 + log10   + log10   + log10  
 15  24  80 ⇒ y 2 = xz
 2  64  5   3
24  28
⇒ x, y, z are in GP
= log10 2 + log10  16  + log  36 12  + log  28 7 
3 × 5 
16
2 ×3  2 ×5  64 Q a, b, c, are in GP
265 × 328 × 524 ∴ log x a, log x b, log x c are in AP
= log10 = log10(2 × 5) = log10 10 = 1 1 , 1 , 1
264 × 328 × 523 ⇒ are in AP
log a x log b x log c x
60 ( pa + qb − rc) = p log10 x + q log10 y − r log10 z
65 log ( x − 1) + log ( x + 1) = 3 log 2 = log 23
 x py q 
= log10( x p ) + log10( y q ) − log10(z r ) = log10  r  ⇒ log [( x − 1)( x + 1)] = log 8
 z 
⇒ log ( x 2 − 1) = log 8
x py q
⇒ antilog ( pa + qb − rc) = . ⇒ x2 − 1 = 8 ⇒ x2 = 9 ⇒ x=±3
zr
But at x = − 3 logarithm equation is not defined.
61 log10 a p. bq . cr = log10 a p + log10 bq + log10 cr
Hence, x=3
= p log10 a + q log10 b + r log10 c
66 a, b, c are consecutive integers
62 Q a, b, c are in GP
∴ b = a + 1 and c = a + 2
⇒ b2 = ac ⇒ 2 log b = log a + log c ∴ log (ac + 1) = log [ a (a + 2) + 1]
⇒ log x a , log x b, log x c are in AP = log[(b − 1)(b − 1 + 2) + 1] (Q a = b − 1)
⇒ log10 a, log10 b, log10 c are in AP = log b = 2 log b
2

Level 01 Basic Level Exercise

1 log10 7 13 ⇒ log10(13)1 7 6 log q ( xy ) = 3 and log q ( x 2 y 3 ) = 4
1 1
⇒ log10 13 = × 1.1139 = 0.15913 ∴ log q ( x 2 y 3 ) = 4 ⇒ log q[( xy )2 . y]
7 7
2 log 2 144 = log 2 3 (2 3)4 = 4 ⇒ log q ( xy )2 + log q y = 4
3

3 log a N = log b N × P ⇒ 2 log q ( xy ) + log q y = 4

1 ⇒ 2 × 3 + log q y = 4
log a N log N a ⇒ log q y = − 2
⇒ =P ⇒ = P
log b N 1 Again log q ( xy ) = log q x + log q y = 3
log N b
⇒ log q x + (− 2) = 3
log N b
⇒ = P ⇒ log a b = P ⇒ log q x = 5
log N a
log x log y log z
4 log (ab)2 − log (ac) + log (bc4 ) − 3 log (bc) 7 = = = k (say)
l + m − 2n m + n − 2l n + l − 2m
(ab)2 (bc4 ) (ab)2 (bc4 )
= log + log = log  ac ×  = log a ⇒ log x = k (l + m − 2n) …(i)
ac (bc)3  (bc)3 
log y = k (m + n − 2l) …(ii)
5 log 2 x + log 4 x + log 64 x = 5
log z = k (n + l − 2m) …(iii)
1 1 1
⇒ + + =5 ∴ log x + log y + log z
log x (2) 2 log x (2) 6 log x (2)
= k (l + m − 2n) + k (m + n − 2l) + k (n + l − 2m)
10 1
⇒ =5 ⇒ log x (2) = log ( xyz ) = 0
6 log x (2) 3
⇒ log xyz = log 1
⇒ log 2 x = 3 ⇒ 23 = x ∴ x = 8
⇒ xyz = 1
Alternatively Go through options.
Logarithm 905

8 Let m be the first term and k be the common ratio of GP, 14 Best way is to go through options
then 15 Best way is to go through options
a = mk p − 1, b = mk q − 1, c = mk r − 1 Alternatively log10 x 2 y 3 = 7
∴ (q − r) log a + (r − p) log b + ( p − q) log c
⇒ x 2 y 3 = 107 …(i)
= log[ mk( p − 1)]q − r + log b[ mk( q − 1)]r − p + log [ mk( r − 1)] p − q
 x
= log (mq − r + r − p + p −q
)(k p − 1 )q − r (k q − 1 )r − p (k r − 1 )p − q and log10   = 1
 y
= log m0 k 0 = log 1 = 0 x
⇒ = 10 …(ii)
3 −x . b5x = ax + 5. b3x y
9 a
a3 − x b3x x2y3 107
⇒ = ⇒ a− 2( x + 1) = b− 2x ∴ = ⇒ y 5 = 105
ax + 5 b5x ( x y )2 (10)2
− 2x
 b ⇒ y = 10 ∴ x = 100
⇒ a− 2x . a− 2 = b− 2x ⇒   = a− 2
 a 

1 

 1 − log a x 
x x 16 y=a
 b  b
⇒   =a ⇒ log   = log a
 a  a ⇒ log a y =
1
(taking log of both sides)
1 − log a x
 b
⇒ x log   = log a
 a 1
⇒ log a x = 1 − …(i)
log a y
10 v =u 12
, w =u 13
, z =u 14
 1 
 1 1 1  
1 + + +   1 − log a y  1
∴ uvwz = u  2 3 4 Again z=a ⇒ log a z =
1 − log a y
 1 1 1
1 + + +   1 1 1 1
∴ log u uvwz = log u u  2 3 4
= 1 + + +  log u u ⇒ log a y = 1 − …(ii)
 2 3 4 log a z
 1 1 1 ∴From eq. (i) and (ii), we get
= 1 + + + 
 2 3 4 1
log a x = 1 −
log 27 + log 8 − log 125  1 
11 1 − 
log 6 − log 5  log a z 
log (33 2 × 23 2 ) − log (5)3 2 1
= 1
log 6 − log 5 ⇒ log a x = ⇒ x = a1 − log a z
(1 − log a z )
3  6
log   Alternatively Consider some numerical values
log 63 2 − log 53 2 2  5 3
= = =
log 6 − log 5  6 2 suppose a = 10 and x = 10
log  
 5 

1 

 1 − log a x 
∴ y=a
12 Last term k = a . rn − 1, r → common ratio
 1 
 
∴ log k = log (a . rn − 1 ) 1 − log10 10 
y = 10 ⇒ y = 100
⇒ log k = log a + (n − 1) log r  1 
 
log k − log a z = a
1 − log a y 
⇒ = n −1 and
log r
 1 
 
 log k − log a 1 − log10 100  1
⇒ n =1 +   ∴ z = 10 ⇒z =
 log r  10
Now, go through options. Consider option (c)
13 Q a, b, c are in GP 1  1 
 
1 − log10(1 10 )
∴ b2 = ac x = a1 − log a z = 10
⇒ 2 log b = log a + log c x = 101 2 = 10
∴ log a, log b, log c are in AP Hence, option (c) is correct.
i . e. , log d a, log d b, log d c are in AP
∴ log a d, log b d, log c d are in HP NOTE You can check other options but they do not
satisfy.
906 QUANTUM CAT
17 Let a = 10, b = 100 and c = 1000, then 26 A =
log 3 2187 1
= log 3 2187
13 5 5
x = log1000(100) + log100(1000) = 1 7 7
6 = log 3(37 ) = log 3 3 =
10 5 5 5
y = log10 1000 + log1000 10 =
3 log 3 2187 log 3 37 7
and B = log 243 2187 = = =
5 log 3 243 log 3 35 5
z = log100 10 + log10 100 =
2
2 2 2
∴ A=B
 13  10  5 794
∴ x + y +z =  +  +  =
2 2 2
27 (150) x = 7
 6  3  2 36
log 7
13 10 5 650 ⇒ log150 7 = x ⇒ =x
and xyz = × × = log 150
6 3 2 36
log 7 log 7
 650 794 ⇒ x= =
∴ xyz + 4 =   + 4= log (3 × 5 × 10) log 3 + log 5 + log 10
 36  36
log 7
Hence, option (d) is correct. =
log 3 + log 5 + 1
1 1 1
18 + + + ...
log 3 e log 3 e2 log 3 e4 28 log1 2 x = log 2(3x − 2)
1 1 1 ⇒ − log 2 x = log 2 (3x − 2)
= + + + ...
log 3 e 2 log 3 e 4 log 3 e ⇒ log 2 ( x −1 ) = log 2 (3x − 2)
1  1 1   1 
= 1 + + + . . . = log e 3  ⇒ x − 1 = (3x − 2) ⇒ 3x 2 − 2x − 1 = 0
log 3 e  2 4   1 − 1 2
⇒ 3x 2 − 3x + x − 1 = 0
 a 
(using sum of infinite GP)  s∞ = ; r < 1 ⇒ 3x ( x − 1) + 1( x − 1) = 0
 1− r 
⇒ x = 1, . − 1 3
= 2 log e 3 = log e 32 = log e 9 but at x = − 1 3, log x is not defined
19 log10 x 2 − log10 y =1 The only admissible value of x is 1.
Alternatively Go through options.
 x2 
⇒ log10   = log10 10
 y 29 log 2( x + y ) = 3

x 2
4 and log 2 x + log 2 y = 2 + log 2 3
⇒ = 10 ⇒ = 10
y y Q log 2( x + y ) = 3 = log 2 23 = log 2 8
4 2 4 ⇒ x + y = 8,
⇒ y = = ⇒ y=
10 5 25 Hence option (c) is wrong.
20 (b2 )5 log b x = b10 log b x = blog b( x )
10
= x10 Again, log 2 x + log 2 y = 2 + log 2 3 = log 2 4 + log 2 3
⇒ log 2( xy ) = log 2 12 ⇒ xy = 12
− 6 1
21 (7 3 )− 2 log7 8 = 7 − 6 log7 8 = 7(log7 8 )
= 8− 6 = Hence, option (d) is correct.
86
30 Go through option.
22 log 12900 = log (1.29 × 10000)
at x = 0 , log x is not defined.
= log 1.29 + log 10000 = log 1.29 + 4 at x = 1, both sides are equal.
 786  Again at x ≠ 1
23 log 0.786 = log   = log 786 − log 1000
 1000 log 5 x log 6 x log7 x = log 5 x log 6 x + log 6 x . log7 x
= log 786 − 3 + log7 x . log 5 x
78.6 1 1 1
Also log 0.786 = log = log 78.6 − log 100 ⇒ 1= + +
100 log7 x log 5 x log 6 x
24 log 5 x = y ⇒ 5y = x (By dividing both sides by log 5 x log 6 x log7 x)
∴ (5 ) = x
y 5 5
⇒ 5 5y
=x 5 ∴ 1 = log x 7 + log x 5 + log x 6
1 = log x (7 ⋅ 5 ⋅ 6) = log x 210
25 A = log13 189 = log13 (132 + 20)
⇒ log x 210 = 1
and B = log 23 521 = log 23(232 − 8)
⇒ x = 210
∴ A>B (Q A > 2 and B < 2) Hence, x = {1, 210}
Logarithm 907

31 Let log 3 18 = a 36 1, log 9(31 − x + 2), log 3(4.3x − 1) are in AP

log 3 54 log 3 1458 1, log 3(31 − x + 2)1 2, log 3 (4 . 3x − 1) are in AP
∴ −
log 486 3 log18 3 ∴ log 3 3, log 3 (31 − x + 2)1/ 2, log 3(4.3 x − 1) , are in AP
= log 3(18 × 3) log 3(18 × 27 ) − log 3(18 × 81) log 3 18 ∴ 3, (31 − x + 2)1 2, (4 . 3x − 1) are in GP
= (log 3 18 + log 3 3)(log 3 18 + 3 log 3 3) ∴ [(31 − x + 2)1 2]2 = 3 . (4 . 3x − 1)
− (log 3 18 + 4 log 3 3)log 3 18 ⇒ 31 − x + 2 = 4 . 3x + 1 − 3
= (a + 1)(a + 3) − (a + 4) a ⇒ 4 . 3x + 1 − 31 − x = 5
= a + 3 + 4a − a − 4a = 3
2 2
 3
Solving we get x = log 3  
 4
32 log 9(2x − 5) = log 3( x − 4)
1 Alternatively Go through options. Consider option (d)
⇒ log 3(2x − 5) = log 3( x − 4)
2 3 3
x = log 3 ⇒ 3x =
⇒ log 3(2x − 5) = log 3( x − 4) 2 4 4
 3   3 
⇒ (2x − 5) = ( x − 4)2 ⇒ (2x − 5) = x 2 + 16 − 8 x ⇒ 1, log 9  + 2 , log 3  4 ⋅ − 1
3 4   4 
⇒ x 2 − 10 x + 21 = 0 ⇒ ( x − 3)( x − 7 ) = 0
⇒ 1, log 9 6, log 3 2 ⇒ log 9 9, log 9 6, log 9 4 are in AP
⇒ x=3 or x =7
Since 9, 6, 4 are in GP.
but at x = 3, log 3( x − 4) is not defined since ( x − 4)
1 1 1
becomes negative 37 + + ... +
Hence, x = 7 is the only possible solution. log100 n log 99 n log 2 n
= log n 100 + log n 99 + . . . + log n 2
33 Since we know that when a, b, c are in GP, then log a, log b 1
and log c are in AP. = log n (100 × 99 × 98 × . . . × 2) = log n 100 ! =
log100! n
Therefore 2, (2x − 5) and (2x − 7 2) must be in GP
38 Best way is to go through options.
Now, going through options, we get
At x = 1, log 2(1 + 30 ) + 2 = log 2(30 + 7 )
at x = 3 the three terms 2, (2 x − 5) and (2 x − 7 2) are in GP
Hence log 2, log (2 x − 5) and log (2 x − 7 2) are in AP. ⇒ log 2 2 + 2 = log 2 8 (Q x 0 = 1)
⇒ 1 + 2 = log 2 2 ⇒ 3 = 3
3
Alternatively
We have 2 log 3(2 x − 5) = log 3 2 + log 3(2 x − 7 2) Similarly, at x=2
log 2(1 + 3) + 2 = log 2(9 + 7 )
⇒ log 3(2 − 5) = log 3 2 (2 − 7 2)
x 2 x
⇒ (log 2 4) + 2 = log 2(16) ⇒ 4 = 4
⇒ (2 x − 5)2 = 2 (2 x − 7 / 2)
Hence, (d) is the correct answer.
⇒ (2 x )2 − 10 ⋅ 2 x + 25 = 2⋅ 2 x − 7
39 x log 5 x > 5
[10 ⋅ 2 + 2⋅ 2 = 12⋅ 2 ]
x x x
[Q (a − b) = a − 2ab + b ]
2 2 2
Taking logarithm with base 5 we have
⇒ (2 ) − 12⋅ 2 + 32 = 0
x 2 x
(log 5 x )(log 5 x ) > 1
⇒ (2 x − 8)(2 x − 4) = 0 ⇒ (log 5 x )2 > 1 ⇒ (log 5 x )2 − 1 > 0
⇒ (log 5 x − 1)(log 5 x + 1) > 0
⇒ x = 3, x=2
⇒ log 5 x > 1 or log 5 x < − 1
but at x = 2, log (2 − 5) is undefined
x
1
⇒ x > 5 or x <
Hence x = 3 5
34 Go through options. Also, x must be greater than zero
∴ x ∈ (0, 1 5) ∪ (5, ∞ )
35 As log x a, ax 2, log b x are in GP.
Alternatively Go through options
∴ (ax / 2 )2 = log x a ⋅ log b x
Let us assume x = 25
log a log x log a
⇒ ax = . = = log b a then 25log 5 25 = 625 > 5, which is true
log x log b log b
⇒ ax = log b a Hence option (d) is correct.
Again consider x = 5, then
 log e a
⇒ x = log a (log b a) = log a   5log 5 5 = 5, which is not greater than 5.
 log e b
Hence choices (a) and (b) are wrong.
= log a (log e a) − log a (log e b) Thus option (d) is correct.
908 QUANTUM CAT
40 log x 3 − log 3x = 2 log 2 + log 3 46 log 3(log 2 x ) + log1 3(log1 2 y ) = 1
2 2
x x ⇒ log 3(log 2 x ) − log 3(log1 2 y ) = 1
log = log 12 ⇒ = 12 ⇒ x = ± 6
3 3  log 2 x 
But at x = − 6, log 3x and log x 3 are not defined. ⇒ log 3   = 1 = log 3 3
 log1 2 y 
Hence x = 6 is the only correct answer. log 2 x
⇒ =3 ⇒ log 2 x = 3 log1 2 y = − 3 log 2 y
41 log 5(2x + 3) < log 5 7 log1 2 y
⇒ (2x + 3) < 7 ⇒ 2x < 4 ⇒ x < 2 ⇒ x = y− 3 ⇒ xy 3 = 1 …(i)
3
But (2x + 3) > 0 ⇒ x > − 1
2 Again dividing eq. (i) by xy 2 = 4,' we get y =
 3  4
∴ x ∈  − , 2 ∴ x = 64 [From eq. (i)]
 2 
Alternatively Go through options.
42 Best way is to go through options.
47 Best way is to check the options.
Alternatively Suppose log 2 x = t , then Alternatively

log 2 x=
log 2 x
=
t
and log 2x x =
log 2 x log(1 (1 / 8 ) = log 2(4x + 1) . log 2(4x + 1 + 4)
2)
x
log 2 2 x 1 + t log 2 2x
log 2(1 8)
2 ⇒ = log 2(4x + 1) . log 2(4x + 1 + 4)
1 log 2(1 2)
log 2 x
t 2 2t t
= 2 = log 2 x + log 2x x= + =0 ⇒ 3 = [log 2 4 + log 2(4x + 1)][log 2(4x + 1)]
1 + log 2 x 1 + t x
2 + t 2 + 2t
⇒ (2 + t ) t = 3, where t = log 2(4x + 1)
2t (2 + 2t ) + t (2 + t ) = 0
⇒ t = − 3, 1
⇒ 4t + 4t 2 + 2t + t 2 = 0 ⇒ 5t 2 + 6t = 0
6 If log 2(4 + 1) = − 3, then 4x = − 7 8 which is not possible
x
⇒ t (5t + 6) = 0 ⇒ t = 0 or t = −
5 If log 2(4x + 1) = 1, then 4x + 1 ⇒ 2 ⇒ 4x = 1 ⇒ x = 0
⇒ log 2 x = 0 ⇒ x = 2 =1 0
3
6 48 log 3 4 − log 3(3x + 1) = log 3
and log 2 x = − ⇒ x = 2− 6 5 (5x − 2)
5
4 3
∴ x = 1 and x = 2− 6/ 5 log 3 = log 3
3x + 1 (5x − 2)
43 Clearly option (b) is wrong 4 3
x ⇒ = ⇒ 20 x − 8 = 9 x + 3
∴ < x for every x > 1 (3x + 1) (5x − 2)
1+ x
⇒ 11 x = 11 ⇒ x =1
x
Again < log ( x + 1); x > 1 Alternatively Go through options.
1+ x
Hence option (c) is also wrong and log ( x + 1) < x 49 3 − 4 x > 2 ⇒ (3 − 4 x ) > 2 or − (3 − 4 x ) > 2
∴ Option (d) is correct. 1 5
⇒ x< or x >
k k+1 4 4
44 > for (k, l) > 0 and k > l  1 5 
l l+1 ∴ x ∈  − ∞ ,  ∪  , ∞
 4 4 
Let k = x + 1 and l = x
1
x+1 ( x + 1) + 1 50 log100 x + y =
∴ > Q( x + 1) > x 2
x (x) + 1
⇒ x + y = 10 (− 10 is inadmissible)
log ( x + 1) log ( x + 2)
∴ > ⇒ log x ( x + 1) > log x + 1( x + 2) and log10 y − log10 x = log100 4
log x log ( x + 1)
 y  y
45 a = 1 + log x yz = log x x + log x yz = log x xyz ⇒ log10   = log10 2 ⇒ =2 ⇒ y=2 x
 x  x
Similarly b = log y xyz and c = log z xyz Hence we have x + 2 x = 10
1 1 1  10
Now, ab + bc + ca = abc + + Now, if x > 0, then we have, 3x = 10 ⇒ x=
 c a b  3
 1 1 1  and if x < 0, then − x = 10 ⇒ x = − 10
= abc  + +  10 20
Thus, x= , y=
 log x xyz log y xyz log z xyz  3 3
= abc [log xyz x + log xyz y + log xyz z] = abc [log xyz xyz] = abc and x = − 10, y = 20
Logarithm 909

Level 02 Higher Level Exercise

2
1 See the theory of this chapter log x 3 − x
9 x =4
2 3
 x  x  x ⇒ 3− x
2
=4
3 log 2   + log 4   + log 8   + . . .
 y  y  y
⇒ 3− x = 2 (− 2 is inadmissible )
 x  x  x
= log 2   + log 2   + log 2   + . . . ⇒ (3 − x ) = 2 or − (3 − x ) = 2
 y  y  y
⇒ x = 1 or x = 5
x x x  2
+ 2
= log 2  × × × . . . n times 10 Let 2x = t , then
y y y 
x2 + 2 2
+ 2
n 4 − 9.2x + 8 = 0 becomes
 x  x
= log 2   = n log 2   t − 9t + 8 = 0
2
 y  y
⇒ t = 1, 8
4 log m + log m2 + log m3 + . . . + log mn x2 + 2
⇒ 2 =1
= log (m . m2 . m3 . . . mn) = log m(1 + 2 + 3 + ... n )
⇒ x 2 + 2 = 0 but this has no solution
n( n + 1)
n (n + 1) 2
+ 2
= log (m) 2 = log m If 2x =8 ⇒ x2 + 2 = 3
2
⇒ x2 = 1 ⇒ x=±1
5 Given that 9n < 108
11 Taking log of both sides, we get
Taking log to both sides
log 9 < log 10
n 8  9  3
(log 3 x )2 − log 3 x + 5 log 3 x =
 2  2
⇒ 2n log 3 < 8 log 10
⇒ 2n × 0.4771 < 8 ⇒ 2(log 3 x )3 − 9 (log 3 x )2 + 10 (log 3 x ) − 3 = 0
⇒ n × 0.9542 < 8 ⇒ (log 3 x − 1)(log 3 x − 3)(2 log 3 x − 1) = 0
8 ⇒ log 3 x = 1, log 3 x = 3, 2 log 3 x = 1
⇒ n<
0.9542 ⇒ x = 3, x = 27, x = 3
n < 8.3839
i . e. , x = ( 3, 3, 27 )
∴ n=8 (Q n ∈ N )
6 Taking log of both sides with base 3 we have,
12 x 2 + 6 x + 8 > 0 and 2x 2 + 2x + 3 > 0
[log 3 x 2 + (log 3 x )2 − 10] log 3 x = − 2 log 3 x
2
⇒ log 3 x = 0  1 5
⇒ ( x + 4)( x + 2) > 0 and  x +  + > 0
 2 4
or (log 3 x )2 + 2 log 3 x − 8 = 0
⇒ x = 1, (log 3 x + 4)(log 3 x − 2) = 0 ⇒ x ∈ (− ∞, − 4) ∪ (− 2, ∞ ) …(i)
⇒ x = 1, log 3 x = − 4 and log 3 x = 2 The given equation can be written as
⇒ x = 1, x=
1
and x = 9 log( 2x 2 + 2x + 3)( x 2 − 2x ) = 1
81
 1  ⇒ x 2 − 2x = 2x 2 + 2x + 3
∴ x = 1, , 9
 81  ⇒ x2 + 4x + 3 = 0
7 ( x − 3) > 0 ⇒ x>3 ⇒ x = − 1, − 3
and (2 − x ) > 0 and 2 − x ≠ 1 but at x = − 3, log( x 2 + 6x + 8) is not defined
∴ x < 2 and x ≠ 1 Hence, x = −1
Clearly there is no single value for which these inequalities 13 Let u = log10 p, then the given inequality reduces to
are satisfied. Thus the set of its solutions is empty. (2 + u) 2 + (1 + u) 2 + u ≤ 9
1 1
8 log 3 30 = ⇒ a = log 30 3 and log 5 30 = 2u2 + 7u + 5 ≤ 9
a b
⇒ b = log 30 5 2u2 + 7u − 4 ≤ 0
3 log 30 2 = 3[log 30(30 15)] ⇒ 2u 2 + 8u − u − 4 ≤ 0
= 3[log 30 30 − log 30 15] ⇒ 2u (u + 4) − 1( u + 4) ≤ 0
= 3[log 30 30 − (log 30 3 + log 30 5)]
⇒ (u + 4)(2u − 1) ≤ 0
= 3[1 − a − b]
910 QUANTUM CAT
1 ∴ The given inequality can be written as
⇒ − 4 ≤u ≤
2 24 − 2x − x 2 25 − x 2
1 <
⇒ − 4 ≤ log10 p ≤ 14 16
2
⇒ x 2 + 16 x − 17 > 0
⇒ 10− 4 ≤ p ≤ 101 2
⇒ ( x + 17 )( x − 1) > 0
14 Let u = log 2 x, then ⇒ x < − 17 or x > 1
From eqs. (i) and (ii), we have
2 log 2 log 2 x + log1 2 log 2(2 2x ) = 1
x ∈(3, 4)
⇒ 2 log 2 u + log1 2(log 2 23 2 + u) = 1
25 − x 2
⇒ log 2 u 2 − log 2(3 2 + u) = 1 Case 2. If m > 1, i . e. , >1
16
 u2  ⇒ x ∈ (−3, 3) …(iii)
⇒ log 2   =1
 3 2 + u The given inequality reduces to
3  24 − 2x − x 2 25 − x 2
⇒ u 2 = 2  + u >
2  14 16
⇒ x 2 + 16 x − 17 < 0
⇒ u2 − 2u − 3 = 0
⇒ − 17 < x < 1
⇒ u = − 1, 3
Thus combining with (iii), we get
1
⇒ x = ,8 x ∈(− 3, 1)
2
1 but x ∈ {− 5, 4)~{− 3, 3} by (1)
but at x = , 2 log 2 log 2 x is undefined
2 thus x ∈ (− 3, 1)
Hence, x=8 Hence, the required value of x should lie in (− 3, 1) ∪ (3, 4) .
 5
15 By changing the base to 2 the given equation becomes 17 log 2   = (log 2 5) − 1
 2
log 2 x 2 40 log 2 x log 2 x 3
+ − 14 =0 but Q (log 2 5) − 1 > (log 2 4) − 1
log 2 x 2 log 2 4 x log 2 16 x
10
( log 2 5 − 1) < log 3 10 < log 3 10 1 (= 0)
10
2 log 2 x log 2 x log 2 x ∴ log 3 10
⇒ + 20 − 42 =0  7  7
log 2 x − 1 2 + log 2 x 4 + log 2 x
(Q log a x < log a y if x > y for 0 < a < 1)
Let t = log 2 x, then we have
10
2t (4 + t )(2 + t ) − 42t (t − 1)(t + 2) Since log 3 10 (log 2 5 − 1) < 0
7
+ 20 t (t − 1)(t + 4) = 0
Hence, the first inequality is true only if
⇒ 2t [t 2 + 6t + 8 − 21t 2 − 21t + 42 ( x − 8)(2 − x ) = 0
+ 10t 2 + 30t − 40] = 0 ⇒ x = 8 or x = 2
⇒ t [ 2t 2 − 3t − 2] = 0 2x
If x = 8, then − (25 − 1) = 1 > 0
1 8
⇒ t = 0, t = 2, t =−
2 2x 1
If x = 2 then − (25 − 1) = − (25 − 1) < 0
1 8 2
⇒ x = 1, x = 4, x=
2 Hence, x = 8 is the required value.
16 m > 0 and n > 0 and m ≠1 1 log10 10− 2
18 2 log10 x − log x = 2 log10 x −
i . e. , 25 − x 2 > 0 and x≠±3 100 log10 x
2
and 24 − 2x − x > 0 2 = 2 log10 x +
log10 x
⇒ − 5 < x < 5, x ≠ ± 3  1 
= 2  log10 x + 
and x 2 + 2x − 24 < 0  log10 x 
− 5 < x < 5, x≠± 3 Since x > 1 ⇒ log10 x > 0
and −6 <x<4 But since AM ≥ GM
x ∈ (− 5, 4) − {− 3, 3} …(i)  1 
 log10 x + 
Case 1. 0 < m < 1 ⇒ 9 < x < 25 2
 log10 x  1
∴ ≥ log10 x ×
⇒ x ∈ (− 5, − 3) ∪ (3, 5) …(ii) 2 log10 x
Logarithm 911

1 2 log (2x + 3) log (3x + 7 )

⇒ log10 x + ≥2 ⇒ + − 3= 0 …(i)
log10 x log (3x + 7 ) log (2x + 3)
 1  log (2x + 3)
⇒ 2  log10 x +  ≥4 Putting = y in eq. (i), we get
 log10 x  log (3x + 7 )
 1 
For x = 10, 2  log10 x +  ≥4 1
 log10 x  2y + − 3 = 0 ⇒ 2y 2 − 3y + 1 = 0
y
 1 
Hence the least value of  log10 x − log x  is 4. (2y − 1)( y − 1) = 0
 100
1
2
+ log 2 x − ( 5 4 )] ⇒ y= and y = 1
19 We have , x[( 3 4)(log 2 x ) = 2 2
3  5 1
⇒ log x 2 = (log 2 x )2 + log 2 x −   Now, when y =
4  4 2
log (2x + 3) 1
log 2 3  5 ∴ =
⇒ = (log 2 x )2 + log 2 x −   log (3x + 7 ) 2
log x 4  4
⇒ (2x + 3)2 = (3x + 7 )
3  5 
⇒ log 2 = log x  (log 2 x )2 + log 2 x −    4x + 9x + 2 = 0
2
4  4 
(4 x + 1)( x + 2) = 0
3  5  1
⇒ log 2 2 = log 2 x  (log 2 x )2 + log 2 x −    x=− ,−2
4  4 
4
1 3 2 5 Again if y = 1, then
⇒ =α α +α − (say α = log 2 x)
2  4 4  log (2x + 3)
=1
log (3x + 1)
⇒ 2 = 3α 3 + 4 α 2 − 5α
⇒ 2x + 3 = 3x + 7
⇒ 3α 3 + 4 α 2 − 5α − 2 = 0
x=−4
⇒ (α − 1)(3α 2 + 7 α + 2) = 0 3 7
Since we know that x > − and x > −
⇒ α = 1 ⇒ log 2 x = 1 ⇒ x=2 2 3
Again 3α + 7α + 2 = 0
2 therefore x = − 2 and x = − 4 are not admissible values
1 Again since x ≠ − 1 and x ≠ − 2
⇒ α = − 2, −
3 Hence x = − 2 is also inadmissible value
−1 1
⇒ log 2 x = − 2 and log 2 x = Thus, x = − is only possible value.
3 4
1 ∴Option (b) is correct.
⇒ x= ⇒ x = 2− 1 3
4 Alternatively Go through options
1 21 x > 0, x ≠ 1
Hence x = 2 , , 2−1/ 3
4 Since exponential function assumes positive value, so we
Thus option (d) is most appropriate. must have ( x − 1)7 > 0 i . e. , x > 1.
20 2x + 3 > 0 and 2x + 3 ≠ 1 Taking logarithm on both sides, we get
3 (log 3 x 2 − 2 log x 9) log ( x − 1) = 7 log ( x − 1)
⇒ x>− and x ≠ −1
2 Either log ( x − 1) = 0 i . e. , x = 2
And 3x + 7 > 0 and 3x + 7 ≠ 1 or log 3 x 2 − 2 log x 9 = 7
−7
⇒ x> ⇒ x≠−2 ⇒ 2(log 3 x ) − 4 log x 3 = 7
3 4
Now, log( 2x + 3)(6 x 2 + 23x + 21) ⇒ 2t − = 7, (Q t = log 3 x )
t
= 4 − log( 3x + 7 )(4 x 2 + 12x + 9) ⇒ 2t 2 − 7t − 4 = 0
1
⇒ log( 2x + 3)(2x + 3)(3x + 7 ) = 4 − log( 3x + 7 )(2x + 3)2 ⇒ t = 4, −
2
⇒ log( 2x + 3)(2x + 3) + log( 2x + 3)(3x + 7 ) log 3 x = 4 ⇒ x = 81
= 4 − 2 log( 3x + 7 )(2x + 3) 1,
If log 3 x = − then x = 3− 1 2 < 1, which is not the case
⇒ 1 + log( 2x + 3)(3x + 7 ) + 2 log( 3x + 7 )(2x + 3) − 4 = 0 2
Hence, x = 2, 81
912 QUANTUM CAT
22 (2x )ln 2 = (3y )ln 3 …(i) 1
⇒ log 20 3 <
3
3ln x = 2ln y …(ii)
1 1
Now, taking log of both the sides in Eq. (ii), you get ∴ < log 20 3 >
3 2
log x log 3 = log y log 2 Hence, choice (b) is the answer.
log x log 3
⇒ log y = …(iii) 24 Let m =
5
⇒ m = 5 × 500−50
log 2 50050
Similarly, taking log of both the sides in (i), you get Taking log on both the sides, we get
log 2(log 2 + log x ) = log 3(log 3 + log y ) log m = log(5 × 500−50 )
⇒ (log 2) + log 2 log x
2
log m = log 5 + log 500−50
2
(log 3) log x log m = log 5 − 50 log 500
= (log 3)2 + [from eq. (iii)]
log 2
log m = log 5 − 50 log(5 × 102 )
(log 3)2 − (log 2)2
⇒ (log 2)2 − (log 3)2 = (log x ) log m = log 5 − 50(log 5 + 2 log 10)
log 2
log m = − 49 log 5 − 100 log 10
⇒ − log 2 = log x log m = − 49 log 5 − 100
1 1
⇒ x = ⇒ x0 = log m = − 49(0. 4771) − 100
2 2
log m = − 123. 3779
Hence, choice (c) is the answer.
log m = − 123 − 0. 3779
23 3 < 201/ 2
log m = − 124 + 0. 6221
⇒ log 20 3 < log 20(20)1/ 2 ) log m = 124. 6221
1 Since, the characteristic of log m is 124, therefore the
⇒ log 20 3 <
2 number of consecutive zeros immediately after the
and 3 > 201/ 3 decimal point will be 124 − 1 = 123.
⇒ log 20 3 > log 20(20)1/ 3 ) Hence choice (c) is the correct one.