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) = 33

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:

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Assumptions
1 logb(xp) = m
2 logbx = n
Proof Table
# Claim Reason
1 bm = xp if logb(xp) = m, then bm = xp
2 bn = x if logbx = n, then bn = x
3 b(np) = (bn)p b(np) = (bn)p
4 (bn)p = xp if bn = x, then (bn)p = xp
5 b(np) = bm if b(np) = (bn)p and bm = xp and (bn)p = xp, then b(np) = bm
6 np = m if b(np) = bm, then np = m
7 m = pn if np = m, then m = pn
8 logb(xp) = pn if logb(xp) = m and m = pn, then logb(xp) = pn
9 p ⋅ (logbx) = pn if logbx = n, then p ⋅ (logbx) = pn
10 logb(xp) = p ⋅ (logbx) if logb(xp) = pn and p ⋅ (logbx) = pn, then logb(xp) = p ⋅ (logbx)
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