Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 18m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations1h 43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 5m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 22m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
Properties of Logarithms
Problem 13
Textbook Question
Find each value. If applicable, give an approximation to four decimal places. See Example 1. log 0.1
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Recall the definition of a logarithm. The logarithm \( \log_b(a) \) is the exponent to which the base \( b \) must be raised to produce the number \( a \).
Step 2: Identify the base of the logarithm. In this problem, the base is not explicitly given, so it is assumed to be 10, making it a common logarithm.
Step 3: Set up the equation based on the definition: \( 10^x = 0.1 \).
Step 4: Rewrite 0.1 as a power of 10. Note that \( 0.1 = 10^{-1} \).
Step 5: Equate the exponents from the equation \( 10^x = 10^{-1} \) to find \( x \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Logarithms
A logarithm is the inverse operation to exponentiation, answering the question: to what exponent must a base be raised to produce a given number? For example, in the expression log_b(a) = c, b^c = a. Understanding logarithms is essential for solving equations involving exponential growth or decay.
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Common Logarithm
The common logarithm is a logarithm with base 10, denoted as log(x) or log_10(x). It is widely used in scientific calculations and is particularly useful for simplifying multiplication and division into addition and subtraction. For instance, log(100) equals 2 because 10^2 = 100.
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Negative Logarithm Values
Logarithms of numbers between 0 and 1 yield negative values. For example, log(0.1) is negative because 10 raised to any negative exponent results in a fraction less than 1. This concept is crucial for understanding the behavior of logarithmic functions and their graphs.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Find each value. If applicable, give an approximation to four decimal places. See Example 1. log 10^12
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