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Exercise 41Number theory › IrrationalityL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Linear independence of logs

#logarithm#independence#irrationality

Statement

Show that log⁡2\log 2 and log⁡3\log 3 are linearly independent over Q\mathbb{Q} (where log⁡\log is natural logarithm).

Hint

If alog⁡2+blog⁡3=0a\log2+b\log3=0 with a,b∈Qa,b\in\mathbb{Q} not both zero, then 2a3b=12^a3^b=1.

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Solution

Assume. alog⁡2+blog⁡3=0a\log2+b\log3=0, so log⁡(2a3b)=0\log(2^a3^b)=0, i.e. 2a3b=12^a3^b=1.

Clear denominators. Multiply by a common multiple of denominators to get 2m3n=12^m3^n=1 with m,n∈Zm,n\in\mathbb{Z} not both zero.

Contradiction. If m>0m>0, 2m2^m divides 3n3^n, impossible by unique factorization. If n>0n>0, similarly.

Conclusion. log⁡2\log2 and log⁡3\log3 are Q\mathbb{Q}-linearly independent; in particular log⁡2/log⁡3\log2/\log3 is irrational.