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Logarithmic Functions: ( 'Read As 'Log Base A of X.'')

Logarithmic functions are inverse functions of exponential functions of the form f(x) = a^x. The logarithmic function with base a is defined as y = loga(x) if and only if a^y = x. Logarithmic functions can convert expressions between logarithmic form (loga(x)) and exponential form (a^x). Properties of logarithmic functions include loga(1) = 0, loga(a) = 1, and the inverse and one-to-one properties.

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Aikaterine Simbajon Gabisay
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53 views3 pages

Logarithmic Functions: ( 'Read As 'Log Base A of X.'')

Logarithmic functions are inverse functions of exponential functions of the form f(x) = a^x. The logarithmic function with base a is defined as y = loga(x) if and only if a^y = x. Logarithmic functions can convert expressions between logarithmic form (loga(x)) and exponential form (a^x). Properties of logarithmic functions include loga(1) = 0, loga(a) = 1, and the inverse and one-to-one properties.

Uploaded by

Aikaterine Simbajon Gabisay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Logarithmic Functions

Every function of the form f(x) = a x passes the Horizontal Line


Test and therefore must have an inverse function. This inverse
function is called the logarithmic function with base a.

Definition of Logarithmic Function with Base a

For x > 0, a > 0, and a ≠ 1,

y = loga x if and only if x = ay.

The function given by

f(x) = logax (‘’Read as ‘’log base a of x.’’)

is called the logarithmic function with base a.

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The equations

y = loga x and x = ay

are equivalent. The first equation is in logarithmic form and the


second is in exponential form.

For example, the logarithmic equation 2 = log3 9 can be rewritten


in exponential form as 9 = 32. The exponential equation 53 = 125
can be rewritten in logarithmic form as log5 125 = 3.
When evaluating logarithms, remember that a logarithm is an
exponent. This means that loga X is the exponent to which a must
be raised to obtain x.

For instance, log2 8 = 3 because 2 must be raised to the third


power to get 8.

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Example 1 - Evaluation Logarithms

Use the definition of logarithmic function to evaluate each


logarithm at the indicated value of x.

a. f(x) = log2 x, x = 32 b. f(x) = log3 x, x = 1

Solution:

a. f(32) = log2 32 because 25 = 32.


=5

b. f(1) = log3 1 because 30 = 1.


=0

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The logarithmic function with base 10 is called the common
logarithmic function. It is denoted by log or simply by log.

Properties of Logarithms

1. loga 1 = 0 because a0 = 1.

2. loga a = 1 because a1 = a.

3. loga ax = x and alogax = x Inverse Properties

4. If loga x = loga y, then x = y. One-to-One Property

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