Is Logarithm Inequality True for 0 < a < b < 1?

  • Thread starter Thread starter l-1j-cho
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether the inequality log(a) < log(b) holds true for 0 < a < b < 1. It is confirmed that this inequality is true when the logarithm is defined with a base greater than 1, as the logarithmic function is strictly increasing in that case. However, if the base is between 0 and 1, the logarithmic function becomes strictly decreasing, making the inequality false. The conversation highlights the importance of specifying the logarithm's base when discussing its properties. Overall, the validity of the inequality is contingent on the base of the logarithm used.
l-1j-cho
Messages
104
Reaction score
0
if 0 < a < b < 1, is log(a) < log (b) true for all a and b?
I haven't found any counter example but just to make it sure.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Hi l-1j-cho! :smile:

Yes, it is actually true for any 0 < a < b, since the log function is a strictly increasing function.
 
thank you!
 
take log b - log a and differentiate it.
 
It is true for a<b and we know that the domain is (0,infinity) where the base is greater than 1 Because The exponetial function are increasing function with base greater than one and we know that logarithms are inverse functions of exponetial functions try to prove it.

Thanks
 
It depends upon what you mean by the log function -- what base is being used.

If 1 < G,
then log G (x) is strictly increasing on its entire domain, (0, +∞).

However, 0 < 1/G < 1 and we have log 1/G (x) is strictly decreasing on its entire domain, (0, +∞). You conjuncture would be false in this case​

So if by the log function, you mean loge a.k.a. ln, or if you mean log10, then the log function is strictly increasing.

If on the other hand, you are referring to the logarithm function generically, then your conjecture is true if and only if the base is greater than 1.

It is somewhat unusual to use a logarithm with a base in the range (0, 1).
 
SammyS said:
It is somewhat unusual to use a logarithm with a base in the range (0, 1).

I didn't understand what you mean here.Why it is unusual ?
 
It's just unusual to see something like log 0.2 (6), for example.

If 1 < G, then 0 < 1/G < 1 .

Doing a change of base gives:
\log_{\,1/G}\,(x) =\frac{\log\,_G\,(x)}{\log_{\,\,G}\,(1/G)}=-\log_{\,G}\,(x)
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
13K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
44
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Back
Top