Logs, Rewritten: Adding and Subtracting

Logs, Rewritten: Adding and Subtracting

Logarithms can feel intimidating — especially when they’re introduced as rules to memorize.

This short lesson takes a different approach.

It builds on the idea that a logarithm asks for a power, then shows how adding and subtracting logs follows naturally from that meaning.

Instead of starting with formulas, students rewrite expressions, expand carefully, and simplify step by step. The rules appear at the end — as a summary of patterns students have already seen.

This resource is designed to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and help students see that logarithms are structured, not mysterious.

What’s included

• A clear, guided lesson using plain, student-friendly language
• Worked examples with and without variables
• A short summary connecting understanding to the standard log rules
• Practice questions to apply the ideas
• Full solutions included at the end of the PDF

Who this is for

• Students who understand best when meaning comes before formulas
• Learners who know the rules but don’t trust them
• Middle school and early high school students
• Review, intervention, homework, or small-group instruction
• Tutors and homeschoolers

Approx. time: 15–20 minutes

Format: PDF download

Created by: Learning Simply