Natural Logarithm

The natural logarithm (base-e-logarithm) of a positive real number x, represented by lnx or log_ex, is the exponent to which the base ‘e’ (≈ 2.718…, Euler’s number) is raised to obtain ‘x.’ 

Mathematically, ln(x) = log_e(x) = y if and only if e^y = x

It is also written as:

${\ln x=\int ^{x}_{1}\dfrac{1}{t}dt}$

The number 2.718… is used naturally in math and science calculations, like pie (π) in geometry. 

Graphing

The geometric interpretation of the natural logarithmic function y = lnx is shown below.

Here, the natural logarithmic function has an asymptote at x = 0 and an x-intercept at (1, 0).

Proof

Now, let us verify the natural logarithm formula ${\ln x=\int ^{x}_{1}\dfrac{1}{t}dt}$

According to the fundamental theorem of calculus, if F(x) is an antiderivative of f(x) for the interval [a, b], then ${\int ^{b}_{a}f\left( x\right) dx=f\left( b\right) -f\left( a\right)}$

Now, let us find an antiderivative of ${f\left( t\right) =\dfrac{1}{t}}$

${\int \dfrac{1}{t}dt=\ln \left| t\right| +C}$, here c is the integrating constant.

Applying the fundamental theorem of calculus, we get

${\int ^{x}_{1}\dfrac{1}{t}dt=\ln \left| x\right| -\ln \left| 1\right|}$

= ${\ln \left| x\right| -0}$

= ${\ln \left| x\right|}$

Thus, ${\int ^{x}_{1}\dfrac{1}{t}dt=\ln \left| x\right|}$, is proved.

Rules

The natural logarithm follows all the properties of the logarithm. 

Product Rule

ln(xy) = lnx + lny

Example: ln(10) = ln(5) + ln(2)

Quotient Rule

${\ln \left( \dfrac{x}{y}\right) =\ln x-\ln y}$

Example:  ${\ln \left( \dfrac{42}{5}\right) =\ln 42-\ln 5}$

Power Rule

ln(xⁿ) = n lnx

Example:  ln((5z)⁷) = 7 ln(5z)

Change of Base Rule

${\ln x=\log _{e}x=\dfrac{\log _{b}x}{\log _{b}e}}$

Or, lnx ⋅ log_be = log_bx

Example: ${\ln \left( 2p^{2}\right) =\log _{e}\left( 2p^{2}\right) =\dfrac{\log _{b}\left( 2p^{2}\right) }{\log _{b}e}}$, for any base b

Identity Rule

ln(e) = 1

Zero Rule

ln(1) = 0

Infinity Rule

ln(∞) = ∞, which means while the argument ‘x’ approaches to infinity, the limit of ln(x) is:

lim ln(x) = ∞, when x → ∞

Derivative Rule

${\dfrac{d}{dx}\left( \ln \left( x\right) \right) =\dfrac{1}{x}}$

Integration Rule

${\int \ln \left( x\right) dx=x\left( \ln \left( x\right) -1\right) +c}$

Others

• ln of Negative Numbers: ln of any negative number is undefined.
• ln of ‘0’ and the Limit: ln(0) is undefined, which means while the argument ‘x’ approaches zero, the limit of ln(0) is minus infinity. That is, lim ln(0) = -∞, when x → 0⁺
• ln of ‘e’ raised to the power ‘x’: ln(e^x) = x
• ‘e’ raised to the ln power: e^ln(x) = x

Solved Example