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Example 10.31: Using the Quotient Property of Logarithms

The Quotient Property of Logarithms, logaMN=logaMlogaN\log_a \frac{M}{N} = \log_a M - \log_a N, can be used to write a logarithm as a difference of logarithms and simplify the result if possible.

For example, to rewrite log557\log_5 \frac{5}{7}, apply the property to get log55log57\log_5 5 - \log_5 7. Since log55\log_5 5 simplifies to 11, the final expression is 1log571 - \log_5 7.

Similarly, to rewrite the common logarithm logx100\log \frac{x}{100}, apply the property to get logxlog100\log x - \log 100. Since the base is understood to be 1010 and 102=10010^2 = 100, log100\log 100 simplifies to 22. The final expression is logx2\log x - 2.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Ch.10 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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