Proof: Log of an Exponential with Different Bases
Let's prove the following theorem:
logb(xp) = p ⋅ (logbx)
Here is an example:
log2(83) = 3 ⋅ (log28)
log2(83) = 3 ⋅ 3
log2(83) = 9
Let's check this answer using the definition of logarithms. Since 83 = 512 ,
log2(83) = log2512
And since 29 = 512
log2512 = 9
Thus,
log2(83) = 9
In both cases, the result is 9.
The key to proving this theorem is the following exponentiation property:
xm⋅n = (xm)n
Proof:
Assumptions
| 1 | logb(xp) = m |
|---|---|
| 2 | logbx = n |
| # | Claim | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | bm = xp | if logb(xp) = m, then bm = xp |
| 2 | bn = x | if logbx = n, then bn = x |
| 3 | b(n ⋅ p) = (bn)p | b(n ⋅ p) = (bn)p |
| 4 | (bn)p = xp | if bn = x, then (bn)p = xp |
| 5 | b(n ⋅ p) = bm | if (bn)p = xp and bm = xp and b(n ⋅ p) = (bn)p, then b(n ⋅ p) = bm |
| 6 | n ⋅ p = m | if b(n ⋅ p) = bm, then n ⋅ p = m |
| 7 | m = p ⋅ n | if n ⋅ p = m, then m = p ⋅ n |
| 8 | logb(xp) = p ⋅ n | if m = p ⋅ n and logb(xp) = m, then logb(xp) = p ⋅ n |
| 9 | p ⋅ (logbx) = p ⋅ n | if logbx = n, then p ⋅ (logbx) = p ⋅ n |
| 10 | logb(xp) = p ⋅ (logbx) | if p ⋅ (logbx) = p ⋅ n and logb(xp) = p ⋅ n, then logb(xp) = p ⋅ (logbx) |
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