Algebra Cheat Sheet Logarithms and Log Properties

Definition Logarithm Properties

y = log b x is equivalent to x = b y log b b = 1 log b 1 = 0
Basic Properties & Facts
Arithmetic Operations Properties of Inequalities log b b x = x blogb x = x
If a < b then a + c < b + c and a − c < b − c
log b ( x r ) = r log b x
⎛ b ⎞ ab Example
ab + ac = a ( b + c ) a⎜ ⎟ = log 5 125 = 3 because 53 = 125
⎝c⎠ c If a < b and c > 0 then ac < bc and <
a b
log b ( xy ) = log b x + log b y
⎛a⎞ c c
⎜ ⎟ a a b Special Logarithms ⎛x⎞
⎝b⎠ = a
=
ac If a < b and c < 0 then ac > bc and > ln x = log e x natural log log b ⎜ ⎟ = log b x − log b y
c bc ⎛b⎞ b c c ⎝ y⎠
⎜ ⎟ log x = log10 x common log
⎝c⎠
Properties of Absolute Value where e = 2.718281828… The domain of log b x is x > 0
a c ad + bc a c ad − bc ⎧a if a ≥ 0
+ = − = a =⎨ Factoring and Solving
b d bd b d bd ⎩ − a if a < 0 Factoring Formulas Quadratic Formula
a −b b−a a+b a b a ≥0 −a = a x 2 − a 2 = ( x + a )( x − a ) Solve ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , a ≠ 0
= = +
c−d d −c c c c a a x 2 + 2ax + a 2 = ( x + a )
2 −b ± b 2 − 4ac
ab = a b = x=
⎛a⎞ b b 2a
⎜ ⎟ ad x 2 − 2ax + a 2 = ( x − a )
2
ab + ac ⎝b⎠ = If b 2 − 4ac > 0 - Two real unequal solns.
= b + c, a ≠ 0 a+b ≤ a + b Triangle Inequality
a ⎛ c ⎞ bc x 2 + ( a + b ) x + ab = ( x + a )( x + b ) If b 2 − 4ac = 0 - Repeated real solution.
⎜ ⎟
⎝d⎠ Distance Formula x3 + 3ax 2 + 3a 2 x + a 3 = ( x + a )
3 If b 2 − 4ac < 0 - Two complex solutions.
Exponent Properties If P1 = ( x1 , y1 ) and P2 = ( x2 , y2 ) are two
x3 − 3ax 2 + 3a 2 x − a 3 = ( x − a )
3
an 1 Square Root Property
a n a m = a n +m = a n −m = m−n points the distance between them is
am a x + a = ( x + a ) ( x − ax + a
3 3 2
) 2 If x 2 = p then x = ± p

(a ) n m
=a nm
a = 1, a ≠ 0
0
d ( P1 , P2 ) = ( x2 − x1 ) + ( y2 − y1 )
2 2
x3 − a = ( x − a ) ( x + ax + a )
3 2 2
Absolute Value Equations/Inequalities
− a = ( x − a )( x + a )
n
⎛a⎞ a n 2n 2n n n n n If b is a positive number
( ab ) = a nb n ⎜ ⎟ = n
x
n

⎝b⎠ b Complex Numbers p =b ⇒ p = −b or p = b

If n is odd then,
−n 1
= n
1
= an x n − a n = ( x − a ) ( x n −1 + ax n −2 + + a n −1 ) p <b ⇒ −b < p < b
a i = −1 i = −1
2
−a = i a , a ≥ 0
a a−n p >b ⇒ p < −b or p >b
−n ( a + bi ) + ( c + di ) = a + c + ( b + d ) i xn + an
( ) = (a )
n
⎛a⎞ ⎛b⎞ bn n
= ( x + a ) ( x n −1 − ax n − 2 + a 2 x n −3 − + a n −1 )
n 1 1

=⎜ ⎟ = n a = a n m
⎜ ⎟ ( a + bi ) − ( c + di ) = a − c + ( b − d ) i
m m

⎝b⎠ ⎝a⎠ a
( a + bi )( c + di ) = ac − bd + ( ad + bc ) i Completing the Square
Properties of Radicals Solve 2 x 2 − 6 x − 10 = 0 (4) Factor the left side
( a + bi )( a − bi ) = a 2 + b 2 ⎛ 3 ⎞ 29
2

a =a
1
ab = n a n b a + bi = a 2 + b 2 (1) Divide by the coefficient of the x 2 ⎜x− ⎟ =
⎝ 2⎠
n n
n
Complex Modulus 4
x 2 − 3x − 5 = 0
m n
a = nm a n
a na
= ( a + bi ) = a − bi Complex Conjugate (2) Move the constant to the other side.
(5) Use Square Root Property
b nb 3 29 29
( a + bi )( a + bi ) = a + bi
2
x 2 − 3x = 5 x− = ± =±
2 4 2
n
a = a, if n is odd
n
(3) Take half the coefficient of x, square
it and add it to both sides (6) Solve for x
n
a n = a , if n is even 2 2 3 29
⎛ 3⎞ ⎛ 3⎞ 9 29 x= ±
x 2 − 3x + ⎜ − ⎟ = 5 + ⎜ − ⎟ = 5 + = 2 2
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠ 4 4

For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. © 2005 Paul Dawkins For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. © 2005 Paul Dawkins
 Functions and Graphs Common Algebraic Errors
Constant Function Parabola/Quadratic Function Error Reason/Correct/Justification/Example
y = a or f ( x ) = a x = ay 2 + by + c g ( y ) = ay 2 + by + c 2 2
≠ 0 and ≠ 2 Division by zero is undefined!
Graph is a horizontal line passing 0 0
through the point ( 0, a ) . −32 = −9 , ( −3) = 9 Watch parenthesis!
2
The graph is a parabola that opens right −32 ≠ 9
if a > 0 or left if a < 0 and has a vertex
Line/Linear Function ⎛ ⎛ b ⎞ b ⎞ (x )
2 3
≠ x5 (x )
2 3
= x2 x2 x 2 = x6
at ⎜ g ⎜ − ⎟ , − ⎟ .
y = mx + b or f ( x ) = mx + b ⎝ ⎝ 2a ⎠ 2 a ⎠ a a a
≠ +
1
=
1 1 1
≠ + =2
b+c b c 2 1+1 1 1
Graph is a line with point ( 0, b ) and
Circle 1 A more complex version of the previous
slope m. ≠ x −2 + x −3
( x − h) + ( y − k ) = r 2 x 2 + x3
2 2
error.
a + bx a bx bx
Slope Graph is a circle with radius r and center a + bx = + = 1+
≠ 1 + bx
Slope of the line containing the two ( h, k ) . a
a a a a
points ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is Beware of incorrect canceling!
− a ( x − 1) = −ax + a
y2 − y1 rise Ellipse −a ( x − 1) ≠ −ax − a
m= =
( x − h) (y −k) Make sure you distribute the “-“!
2 2
x2 − x1 run
+ =1 ( x + a)
2
≠ x2 + a2 ( x + a)
2
= ( x + a )( x + a ) = x 2 + 2ax + a 2
Slope – intercept form a2 b2
The equation of the line with slope m Graph is an ellipse with center ( h, k ) x2 + a2 ≠ x + a 5 = 25 = 32 + 42 ≠ 32 + 42 = 3 + 4 = 7
and y-intercept ( 0, b ) is with vertices a units up/down from the x+a ≠ x + a See previous error.
y = mx + b center and vertices b units right/left from More general versions of previous three
( x + a) ≠ x n + a n and x+a ≠ n x + n a
n n
Point – Slope form the center. errors.
2 ( x + 1) = 2 ( x 2 + 2 x + 1) = 2 x 2 + 4 x + 2
The equation of the line with slope m 2

and passing through the point ( x1 , y1 ) is Hyperbola

2 ( x + 1) ≠ ( 2 x + 2 )
2 2
( x − h) (y −k) ( 2 x + 2)
2 2
= 4 x2 + 8x + 4
2
y = y1 + m ( x − x1 ) − =1
a2 b2 Square first then distribute!
Graph is a hyperbola that opens left and See the previous example. You can not
Parabola/Quadratic Function
right, has a center at ( h, k ) , vertices a ( 2 x + 2) ≠ 2 ( x + 1)
2 2
factor out a constant if there is a power on
y = a ( x − h) + k f ( x) = a ( x − h) + k
2 2

units left/right of center and asymptotes the parethesis!

1

that pass through center with slope ± .

b − x2 + a2 = ( − x2 + a 2 )2
The graph is a parabola that opens up if
a −x + a ≠ − x + a
2 2 2 2

a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex Now see the previous error.
Hyperbola
at ( h, k ) . ⎛a⎞
(y −k) ( x − h)
2 2
a
≠
ab ⎜ ⎟
− =1 ⎛ a ⎞⎛ c ⎞ ac
= ⎝ ⎠ = ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ =
a 1
b 2
a 2 ⎛ ⎞ c
b
Parabola/Quadratic Function ⎜ ⎟ ⎛ b ⎞ ⎛ b ⎞ ⎝ 1 ⎠⎝ b ⎠ b
y = ax 2 + bx + c f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c Graph is a hyperbola that opens up and ⎝c⎠ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝c⎠ ⎝c⎠
down, has a center at ( h, k ) , vertices b
⎛a⎞ ⎛a⎞
The graph is a parabola that opens up if units up/down from the center and ⎛a⎞ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ ⎟ ac ⎝ b ⎠ = ⎝ b ⎠ = ⎛ a ⎞⎛ 1 ⎞ = a
a > 0 or down if a < 0 and has a vertex asymptotes that pass through center with ⎝b⎠ ≠ ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟
b c ⎛ c ⎞ ⎝ b ⎠⎝ c ⎠ bc
⎛ b ⎛ b ⎞⎞ slope ± . c b ⎜ ⎟
at ⎜ − , f ⎜ − ⎟ ⎟ . a ⎝1⎠
⎝ 2 a ⎝ 2a ⎠ ⎠

For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. © 2005 Paul Dawkins For a complete set of online Algebra notes visit http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu. © 2005 Paul Dawkins