In chemistry, pH is used as a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Substances with a pH less than 7 are considered acidic and substances with a pH greater than 7 are said to be alkaline. Our bodies, for instance, must maintain a pH close to 7.35 in order for enzymes to work properly. To get a feel for what is acidic and what is alkaline, consider the following pH levels of some common substances:

• Battery acid: 0.8
• Stomach acid: 2.7
• Orange juice: 3.3
• Pure water: 7 (at 25° C)
• Human blood: 7.35
• Fresh coconut: 7.8
• Sodium hydroxide (lye): 14

To determine whether a solution is acidic or alkaline, we find its pH which is a measure of the number of active positive hydrogen ions in the solution. The pH is defined by the following formula where [latex]a[/latex] is the concentration of hydrogen ion in the solution.

[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\text{pH} & = -\mathrm{log}\left(\left[{H}^{+}\right]\right)\hfill \\ \text{} & =\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{1}{\left[{H}^{+}\right]}\right)\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

[latex]-\mathrm{log}\left(\left[{H}^{+}\right]\right)[/latex] is equal to [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{1}{\left[{H}^{+}\right]}\right)[/latex] due to one of the logarithm properties we will examine in this section.

Properties of Logarithms

Recall that the logarithmic and exponential functions “undo” each other. This means that logarithms have similar properties to exponents. Some important properties of logarithms are given here. First, the following properties are easy to prove.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}1=0\\{\mathrm{log}}_{b}b=1\end{array}[/latex]

For example, [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{5}1=0[/latex] since [latex]{5}^{0}=1[/latex] and [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{5}5=1[/latex] since [latex]{5}^{1}=5[/latex].

Next, we have the inverse property.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}\hfill \\ {\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({b}^{x}\right)=x\hfill \\ \text{ }{b}^{{\mathrm{log}}_{b}x}=x,x>0\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

For example, to evaluate [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(100\right)[/latex], we can rewrite the logarithm as [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{10}\left({10}^{2}\right)[/latex] and then apply the inverse property [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({b}^{x}\right)=x[/latex] to get [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{10}\left({10}^{2}\right)=2[/latex].

To evaluate [latex]{e}^{\mathrm{ln}\left(7\right)}[/latex], we can rewrite the logarithm as [latex]{e}^{{\mathrm{log}}_{e}7}[/latex] and then apply the inverse property [latex]{b}^{{\mathrm{log}}_{b}x}=x[/latex] to get [latex]{e}^{{\mathrm{log}}_{e}7}=7[/latex].

Finally, we have the one-to-one property.

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}M={\mathrm{log}}_{b}N\text{ if and only if}\text{ }M=N[/latex]

We can use the one-to-one property to solve the equation [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{3}\left(3x\right)={\mathrm{log}}_{3}\left(2x+5\right)[/latex] for x. Since the bases are the same, we can apply the one-to-one property by setting the arguments equal and solving for x:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}3x=2x+5\hfill & \text{Set the arguments equal}\text{.}\hfill \\ x=5\hfill & \text{Subtract 2}x\text{.}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

But what about the equation [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{3}\left(3x\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{3}\left(2x+5\right)=2[/latex]? The one-to-one property does not help us in this instance. Before we can solve an equation like this, we need a method for combining logarithms on the left side of the equation.

Using the Product Rule for Logarithms

Recall that we use the product rule of exponents to combine the product of exponents by adding: [latex]{x}^{a}{x}^{b}={x}^{a+b}[/latex]. We have a similar property for logarithms, called the product rule for logarithms, which says that the logarithm of a product is equal to a sum of logarithms. Because logs are exponents and we multiply like bases, we can add the exponents. We will use the inverse property to derive the product rule below.

Given any real number x and positive real numbers M, N, and b, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex], we will show

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(MN\right)\text{= }{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(M\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(N\right)[/latex].

Let [latex]m={\mathrm{log}}_{b}M[/latex] and [latex]n={\mathrm{log}}_{b}N[/latex]. In exponential form, these equations are [latex]{b}^{m}=M[/latex] and [latex]{b}^{n}=N[/latex]. It follows that

[latex]\begin{array}{lllllllll}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(MN\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({b}^{m}{b}^{n}\right)\hfill & \text{Substitute for }M\text{ and }N.\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({b}^{m+n}\right)\hfill & \text{Apply the product rule for exponents}.\hfill \\ \hfill & =m+n\hfill & \text{Apply the inverse property of logs}.\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(M\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(N\right)\hfill & \text{Substitute for }m\text{ and }n.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Using the Quotient Rule for Logarithms

For quotients, we have a similar rule for logarithms. Recall that we use the quotient rule of exponents to combine the quotient of exponents by subtracting: [latex]{x}^{\frac{a}{b}}={x}^{a-b}[/latex]. The quotient rule for logarithms says that the logarithm of a quotient is equal to a difference of logarithms. Just as with the product rule, we can use the inverse property to derive the quotient rule.

Given any real number x and positive real numbers M, N, and b, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex], we will show

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(\frac{M}{N}\right)\text{= }{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(M\right)-{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(N\right)[/latex].

Let [latex]m={\mathrm{log}}_{b}M[/latex] and [latex]n={\mathrm{log}}_{b}N[/latex]. In exponential form, these equations are [latex]{b}^{m}=M[/latex] and [latex]{b}^{n}=N[/latex]. It follows that

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(\frac{M}{N}\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(\frac{{b}^{m}}{{b}^{n}}\right)\hfill & \text{Substitute for }M\text{ and }N.\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({b}^{m-n}\right)\hfill & \text{Apply the quotient rule for exponents}.\hfill \\ \hfill & =m-n\hfill & \text{Apply the inverse property of logs}.\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(M\right)-{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(N\right)\hfill & \text{Substitute for }m\text{ and }n.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

For example, to expand [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{2{x}^{2}+6x}{3x+9}\right)[/latex], we must first express the quotient in lowest terms. Factoring and canceling, we get

[latex]\begin{array}{lllll}\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{2{x}^{2}+6x}{3x+9}\right) & =\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{2x\left(x+3\right)}{3\left(x+3\right)}\right)\hfill & \text{Factor the numerator and denominator}.\hfill \\ & \text{}=\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{2x}{3}\right)\hfill & \text{Cancel the common factors}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Next we apply the quotient rule by subtracting the logarithm of the denominator from the logarithm of the numerator. Then we apply the product rule.

[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\mathrm{log}\left(\frac{2x}{3}\right) & =\mathrm{log}\left(2x\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(3\right)\hfill \\ \text{} & =\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)+\mathrm{log}\left(x\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(3\right)\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Using the Power Rule for Logarithms

We have explored the product rule and the quotient rule, but how can we take the logarithm of a power, such as [latex]{x}^{2}[/latex]? One method is as follows:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({x}^{2}\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(x\cdot x\right)\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}x+{\mathrm{log}}_{b}x\hfill \\ \hfill & =2{\mathrm{log}}_{b}x\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Notice that we used the product rule for logarithms to find a solution for the example above. By doing so, we have derived the power rule for logarithms, which says that the log of a power is equal to the exponent times the log of the base. Keep in mind that although the input to a logarithm may not be written as a power, we may be able to change it to a power. For example,

[latex]\begin{array}{lll}100={10}^{2}, \hfill & \sqrt{3}={3}^{\frac{1}{2}}, \hfill & \frac{1}{e}={e}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Expanding Logarithms

Taken together, the product rule, quotient rule, and power rule are often called “properties of logs.” Sometimes we apply more than one rule in order to expand an expression. For example:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(\frac{6x}{y}\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(6x\right)-{\mathrm{log}}_{b}y\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}6+{\mathrm{log}}_{b}x-{\mathrm{log}}_{b}y\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

We can use the power rule to expand logarithmic expressions involving negative and fractional exponents. Here is an alternate proof of the quotient rule for logarithms using the fact that a reciprocal is a negative power:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(\frac{A}{C}\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(A{C}^{-1}\right)\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(A\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left({C}^{-1}\right)\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}A+\left(-1\right){\mathrm{log}}_{b}C\hfill \\ \hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{b}A-{\mathrm{log}}_{b}C\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

We can also apply the product rule to express a sum or difference of logarithms as the logarithm of a product.

With practice, we can look at a logarithmic expression and expand it mentally and then just writing the final answer. Remember, however, that we can only do this with products, quotients, powers, and roots—never with addition or subtraction inside the argument of the logarithm.

In the next example we will recall that we can write roots as exponents, and use this quality to simplify logarithmic expressions.

Now we will provide some examples that will require careful attention.

Condensing Logarithms

We can use the rules of logarithms we just learned to condense sums, differences, and products with the same base as a single logarithm. It is important to remember that the logarithms must have the same base to be combined. We will learn later how to change the base of any logarithm before condensing.

 

In our next few examples we will use a combination of logarithm rules to condense logarithms.

Applications of Properties of Logarithms

In chemistry, pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a liquid is. It is essentially a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The scale for measuring pH is standardized across the world, the scientific community having agreed upon its values and methods for acquiring them.

Measurements of pH can help scientists, farmers, doctors, and engineers solve problems and identify sources of problems.

pH is defined as the decimal logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion activity, [latex]a_{H}+[/latex], in a solution.
[latex]\text{pH} =-\log _{10}(a_{{\text{H}}^{+}})=\log _{10}\left({\frac {1}{a_{{\text{H}}^{+}}}}\right)[/latex]

For example, a solution with a hydrogen ion activity of [latex]2.5×{10}^{-6}[/latex] (at that level essentially the number of moles of hydrogen ions per liter of solution) has a pH of [latex]\log_{10}\left(\frac{1}{2.5×{10}^{-6}}\right)=5.6[/latex]

In the next examples, we will solve some problems involving pH.

Change-of-Base Formula for Logarithms

Most calculators can only evaluate common and natural logs. In order to evaluate logarithms with a base other than 10 or [latex]e[/latex], we use the change-of-base formula to rewrite the logarithm as the quotient of logarithms of any other base; when using a calculator, we would change them to common or natural logs.

To derive the change-of-base formula, we use the one-to-one property and power rule for logarithms.

Given any positive real numbers M, b, and n, where [latex]n\ne 1[/latex] and [latex]b\ne 1[/latex], we show

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}M\text{=}\frac{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}M}{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}b}[/latex]

Let [latex]y={\mathrm{log}}_{b}M[/latex]. Converting to exponential form, we obtain [latex]{b}^{y}=M[/latex]. It follows that:

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{n}\left({b}^{y}\right)\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{n}M\hfill & \text{Apply the one-to-one property}.\hfill \\ y{\mathrm{log}}_{n}b\hfill & ={\mathrm{log}}_{n}M \hfill & \text{Apply the power rule for logarithms}.\hfill \\ y\hfill & =\frac{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}M}{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}b}\hfill & \text{Isolate }y.\hfill \\ {\mathrm{log}}_{b}M\hfill & =\frac{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}M}{{\mathrm{log}}_{n}b}\hfill & \text{Substitute for }y.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

For example, to evaluate [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{5}36[/latex] using a calculator, we must first rewrite the expression as a quotient of common or natural logs. We will use the common log.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{log}}_{5}36\hfill & =\frac{\mathrm{log}\left(36\right)}{\mathrm{log}\left(5\right)}\hfill & \text{Apply the change of base formula using base 10}\text{.}\hfill \\ \hfill & \approx 2.2266\text{ }\hfill & \text{Use a calculator to evaluate to 4 decimal places}\text{.}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]