The Change of Base Formula Help

Introduction to The Change of Base Formula

There are countless bases for logarithms but calculators usually have only two logarithms—log and ln. How can we use our calculators to approximate log ₂ 5? We can use the change of base formula but first, let us use logarithm properties to find this number. Let x = log ₂ 5. Then 2 ^x = 5. Take the common log of each side.

This means that 2 ^2.321928095 is very close to 5.

We just proved that . Replace 2 with b , 5 with x , and 10 with a and we have the change of base formula.

Change of Base Formula

This formula converts a logarithm with old base b to new base a . Usually, the new base is either e or 10.

Example

Solving Equations using the Change of Base Formula

The change of base formula can be used to solve equations like 4 ^{2 x +1} = 8 by rewriting the equation in logarithmic form and using the change of base formula. The equation becomes log ₄ 8 = 2 x + 1. Because , the equation can be written as .

Example

The Change of Base Formula Practice Problems

Practice

Evaluate the logarithms. Give your solution accurate to four decimal places.

1. log ₆ 25
2. log ₂₀ 5

Solve for x . Give your solutions accurate to four decimal places.

3. 3 ^{x +2} = 12
4. 15 ^{3 x −2} = 10
5. 24 ^{3 x +5} = 9

Solutions

Solving Exponential Equations with Exponents on Both Sides

When both sides of an exponential equation have an exponent, we will use another method to solve for x . We will take either the natural log or the common log of each side and will use the third logarithm property to move the exponents in front of the logarithm. Once we have used the third logarithm property, we will perform the following steps to find x .

1. Distribute the logarithms.
2. Collect the x terms on one side of the equation and the non- x terms on the other side.
3. Factor x .
4. Divide both sides of the equation by x ’s coefficient (found in Step 3).

Examples

Exponential Equations with Exponents on Both Sides Practice Problems

Practice

Solve for x . Give your solutions accurate to four decimal places.

1. 4 ^x = 5 ^{x −1}
2. 6 ^{2 x} = 8 ^{3 x −1}
3. 10 ^{2− x} = 5 ^{x +3}

Solutions

Find practice problems and solutions for these concepts at: Exponents and Logarithms Practice Test.