Logarithms is one of the key topics in the CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) Section, have consistently appeared in CAT exams over the years. The questions on logarithms are usually easy, and hence students should not ignore this topic. Typically, 1-2 questions are included in the new format of the CAT Quant section. It is essential that you know the basics of the CAT Logarithms well and practice the questions. Also, do check out all the Logarithms questions for CAT from the CAT previous year papers with detailed video solutions. This article will look into some important Logs questions for the CAT Exam. If you want to practice these important Logarithms questions. Take 3 Free CAT Mock Testswhich will help you know where you currently stand, and will help you in analysing your strengths and weaknesses.
These questions are usually straightforward, making it crucial for students not to overlook this topic. It is advisable to master the basics of CAT Logarithms and practice related questions. Additionally, check o CAT past papers for Logarithms questions with detailed video solutions in PDF format.
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For base of log in range $$1/4\in(0,1)$$ and $$\log_{1/4}(x)>0$$ is true only if 0<x<1.
For integer n, $$x=n^2-7n+11$$ is an integer, so it cannot lie strictly between 0 and 1.
So, there is no integer value for which this inequality is satisfied.
Question 2
If $$\log_{64}{x^{2}+\log_{8}{\sqrt{y}+3\log_{512}{(\sqrt{y}z)}}}=4$$, where x,y and z are positive real numbers, then the minimum possible value of $$(x+y+z)$$ is
Since the base of the logarithm has to be greater than zero and cannot be $$1$$, $$x$$ has to be greater than $$3$$ and cannot be $$4$$. Also, since $$x^2-9>0$$, $$x$$ will be greater than $$3$$.
The equation can be rewritten as;
$$\log_{x-3}{(x^{2}-9)}-\log_{x-3}{(x+1)} = 2$$
Or,
$$\log_{x-3}{\dfrac{x^2-9}{x+1}} = 2$$
$$\Rightarrow \dfrac{(x+3)(x-3)}{x+1} = (x-3)^2$$
$$\Rightarrow \dfrac{(x+3)}{x+1} = (x-3)$$
$$\Rightarrow (x+3) = (x-3)(x+1)$$
$$\Rightarrow x+3 = x^2 - 3x + x - 3$$
$$\Rightarrow x^2 - 3x - 6 = 0$$
The roots of the quadratic above are $$\dfrac{3\pm \sqrt{3^2 + 24}}{2}$$
The negative value of $$x$$ will not be possible, the positive value that satisfies is $$\dfrac{3+ \sqrt{33}}{2}$$
The correct answer is option D.
Question 1
If $$(a + b\sqrt{3})^2 = 52 + 30\sqrt{3}$$, where a and b are natural numbers, then $$a + b$$ equals
Opening the square on the left-hand side, we get $$a^2+3b^2+2ab\sqrt{\ 3}$$ Comparing the rational part on both side,s we get: $$a^2+3b^2=52$$ And comparing the irrational par,t we get: $$2ab\sqrt{\ 3}=30\sqrt{\ 3}$$
$$ab=15$$, Since we are given that a and b are natural numbers, the possible values of a and b are (1,15), (3, 5), (5, 3), or (15,1)
Putting these values in the first relation we got, we see that 15 squared would exceed the required value and would not be the case. We need not check if a=5, b=3 or a=3, b=5 since the answer would be the same.
(a=5 and b=3 would satisfy it)
a+b = 5+3 = 8
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Question 2
If a, b and c are positive real numbers such that $$a > 10 \geq b \geq c$$ and $$\cfrac{\log_8 (a + b)}{\log_2c} + \cfrac{\log_{27} (a - b)}{\log_3c} = \cfrac{2}{3}$$, then the greatest possible integer value of a is
The first term of the expression can be rewritten as $$\frac{\frac{1}{3}\log_2\left(a+b\right)}{\log_2c}$$ Using the property $$\frac{m}{n}\log_ab=\log_ab^{\frac{m}{n}}$$ this can be rewritten as
This expression is given to be equal to 2/3 Using the definition of log: $$\log_cN=a\ $$ which is $$c^a=N$$ we get:$$c^{\frac{2}{3}}=\left(a^2-b^2\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}$$
Cubing both sides: $$c^2=a^2-b^2$$ Finally giving $$a^2=b^2+c^2$$
We have upper limits on b and c as 10, and we want to maximize the value of a squared. This can be thought of as a right-angled triangle, and the value of a will be maximum when both b and c are equal to 10, giving $$a^2=200$$, but this would not give an integer value of a We need to adjust $$a^2$$ to the biggest square less than 200, which is 196 Giving the value of $$a$$ as 14.
Therefore, 14 is the correct answer.
Question 3
The sum of all distinct real values of x that satisfy the equation $$10^x + \cfrac{4}{10^x} = \cfrac{81}{2}$$, is
Using the logarithmic property that $$\log_{a^p}b=\frac{1}{p}\log_ab$$
$$4 \log_{10} x + 4 \log_{100} x + 8 \log_{1000} x = 13$$ Can be written as $$4\log_{10}x+2\log_{10}x+\frac{8}{3}\log_{10}x=13$$ $$\frac{26}{3}\log_{10}x=13$$ $$\log_{10}x=1.5$$ $$x=10^{1.5}$$ $$x=\sqrt{1000}$$ $$\left[\sqrt{1000}\right]=31$$ Where [.] is Greatest Integer Function since that is what is asked in the question, 31 is the greatest integer that does not exceed x.
Question 6
If $$(x + 6\sqrt{2})^{\cfrac{1}{2}} - (x - 6\sqrt{2})^{\cfrac{1}{2}} = 2\sqrt{2}$$, then x equals
Bringing x to the other side, we get: $$-\left(x^2-72\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}=4-x$$ Squaring on both sides again, we get:
$$x^2-72=16+x^2-8x$$ $$8x=88$$ $$x=11$$
Therefore, 11 is the correct answer.
Question 7
If $$(a + b \sqrt{n})$$ is the positive square root of $$(29 - 12\sqrt{5})$$, where a and b are integers, and n is a natural number, then the maximum possible value of $$(a + b + n)$$ is
$$(a + b \sqrt{n})$$ is the positive square root of $$(29 - 12\sqrt{5})$$
So $$29-12\sqrt{5}=\left(a+b\sqrt{n}\right)^2$$ $$29-12\sqrt{5}=a^2+b^2n+2ab\sqrt{n}$$
$$a^2+b^2n=29$$ and $$ab\sqrt{n}=-6\sqrt{5}$$ $$a^2b^2n=180$$ $$b^2n=\frac{180}{a^2}$$ Substituting this in the above equation, $$a^2+\frac{180}{a^2}=29$$ $$a^4-29a^2+180=0$$ $$a^2=\frac{\left(29\pm\sqrt{29^2-4\left(180\right)}\right)}{2}$$ $$a^2=\frac{\left(29+\sqrt{841-720}\right)}{2}$$ $$a^2=9\ or\ 20$$
That means, one of $$a^2\ or\ b^2n$$ is 9 and 20.
We also have, $$ab\sqrt{n}=-6\sqrt{5}$$ that means one of a or b should be negative And also the fact that this is a positive square root, And we need to maximise the value of a, b and n.
We can have a=-3, b=1 and n=20. This satisfies all the above equations, and the value of a+b+n=18.
Question 1
If x is a positive real number such that $$x^8 + \left(\frac{1}{x}\right)^8 = 47$$, then the value of $$x^9 + \left(\frac{1}{x}\right)^9$$ is
For some positive real number x, if $$\log_{\sqrt{3}}{(x)}+\frac{\log_{x}{(25)}}{\log_{x}{(0.008)}}=\frac{16}{3}$$, then the value of $$\log_{3}({3x^{2}})$$ is
If $$(\sqrt{\frac{7}{5}})^{3x-y}=\frac{875}{2401}$$ and $$(\frac{4a}{b})^{6x-y}=(\frac{2a}{b})^{y-6x}$$, for all non-zero real values of a and b, then the value of $$x+y$$ is
We have :$$\frac{\log_{15}{a}+\log_{32}{a}}{(\log_{15}{a})(\log_{32}{a})}=4$$ We get $$\frac{\left(\frac{\log a}{\log\ 15}+\frac{\log a}{\log32}\right)}{\frac{\log a}{\log\ 15}\times\ \frac{\log a}{\log32}\ \ }=4$$ we get $$\log a\left(\log32\ +\log\ 15\right)=4\left(\log\ a\right)^2$$ we get $$\left(\log32\ +\log\ 15\right)=4\log a$$ =$$\log480=\log a^4$$ =$$a^4\ =480$$ so we can say a is between 4 and 5 .
Question 2
If $$\log_{2}[3+\log_{3} \left\{4+\log_{4}(x-1) \right\}]-2=0$$ then 4x equals
We have : $$\log_2\left\{3+\log_3\left\{4+\log_4\left(x-1\right)\right\}\right\}=2$$ we get $$3+\log_3\left\{4+\log_4\left(x-1\right)\right\}=4$$ we get $$\log_3\left(4+\log_4\left(x-1\right)\ =\ 1\right)$$ we get $$4+\log_4\left(x-1\right)\ =\ 3$$ $$\log_4\left(x-1\right)\ =\ -1$$ x-1 = 4^-1 x = $$\frac{1}{4}+1=\frac{5}{4}$$ 4x = 5
Question 3
If $$5 - \log_{10}\sqrt{1 + x} + 4 \log_{10} \sqrt{1 - x} = \log_{10} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$$, then 100x equals
On expanding the expression we get $$1-\log_ab+1-\log_ba$$
$$or\ 2-\left(\log_ab+\frac{1}{\log_ab}\right)$$
Now applying the property of AM>=GM, we get that $$\frac{\left(\log_ab+\frac{1}{\log_ab}\right)}{2}\ge1\ or\ \left(\log_ab+\frac{1}{\log_ab}\right)\ge2$$ Hence from here we can conclude that the expression will always be equal to 0 or less than 0. Hence any positive value is not possible. So 1 is not possible.
Question 4
If a,b,c are non-zero and $$14^a=36^b=84^c$$, then $$6b(\frac{1}{c}-\frac{1}{a})$$ is equal to
Comparing the power of 2 we get, $$\ \frac{\ 19}{2}+4+3n\ =4m+\frac{\ 6}{4}\ $$
=> 4m=3n+12 .....(1)
Comparing the power of 3 we get, $$4+2m=n$$
Substituting the value of n in (1), we get
4m=3(4+2m)+12
=> m=-12
Question 4
Let x and y be positive real numbers such that $$\log_{5}{(x + y)} + \log_{5}{(x - y)} = 3,$$ and $$\log_{2}{y} - \log_{2}{x} = 1 - \log_{2}{3}$$. Then $$xy$$ equals
$$\Rightarrow$$ $$3*\dfrac{4-p}{4+p}=\log_{6^2}{8^2}=\log_{6}{8}$$. Hence, option D is the correct answer.
Question 3
If N and x are positive integers such that $$N^{N}$$ = $$2^{160}\ and \ N{^2} + 2^{N}\ $$ is an integral multiple of $$\ 2^{x}$$, then the largest possible x is
We know that $$\log_3 x = a$$ and $$\log_{12} y=a$$ Hence, $$x = 3^a$$ and $$y=12^a$$ Therefore, the geometric mean of $$x$$ and $$y$$ equals $$\sqrt{x \times y}$$ This equals $$\sqrt{3^a \times 12^a} = 6^a$$
Hence, $$G=6^a$$ Or, $$\log_6 G = a$$
Question 2
If x is a real number such that $$\log_{3}5= \log_{5}(2 + x)$$, then which of the following is true?
If $$log(2^{a}\times3^{b}\times5^{c} )$$is the arithmetic mean of $$log ( 2^{2}\times3^{3}\times5)$$, $$log(2^{6}\times3\times5^{7} )$$, and $$log(2 \times3^{2}\times5^{4} )$$, then a equals
$$log_y x = ab$$
$$a*log_z y = ab$$ => $$log_z y = b$$
$$b*log_x z = ab$$ => $$log_x z = a$$
$$log_y x$$ = $$log_z y * log_x z$$ => $$log x/log y$$ = $$log y/log z * log z/log x$$
=> $$\frac{log x}{log y} = \frac{log y}{log x}$$
=> $$(log x)^2 = (log y)^2$$
=> $$log x = log y$$ or $$log x = -log y$$
So, x = y or x = 1/y
So, ab = 1 or -1
Option 5) is not possible
Question 3
If x = -0.5, then which of the following has the smallest value?
Logarithm for CAT - Tip 1: Questions based on Logs appear in the CAT test almost every year. It is one of the easiest topics and hence should not be avoided. Based on our analysis of the CAT Previous Papers, 1-2 questions are frequently asked from Logarithms.
Logarithm for CAT - Tip 2: Understand the CAT exam syllabus and check out the Previous Year Papers of CAT. Practising Previous year's CAT questions on logarithms helps you understand the type of questions that appear from the Logs concepts. You can check out CAT Previous Year logarithm questions with detailed solutions here.
Logarithm for CAT - Tip 3: The Logarithms topic does not include too many concepts to master, and hence can be learned easily. Getting yourself acquainted with the basics of Logs will help you solve the problems. You can learn all the Important Logarithm Formulas for CAT, here.
Logarithm for CAT - Tip 4: Given the 2-hour format of the CAT, Speed becomes very important. You need to solve more questions in lesser time. Hence, choosing the easy questions becomes very crucial. Logarithms are one of those easy questions, and thus, cannot be missed on the exam. Do checkout the CAT Formula Handbook which includes all the key CAT Quant Formulas.
CAT Logarithms Formulas PDF
Important Lograthim formulas for CAT exam are given here. Logarithms questions are frequently asked in the previous CAT papers. In order to ace this topic and solve the CAT questions, aspirants must be well-versed in the basic concepts and formulas. To help the aspirants, we have made a PDF which consists of all the formulas, tips and tricks to solve these questions. Every formula in this PDF is very important. Click on the below link to download the CAT Logarithms, Surds and Indices Formulas PDF.