Topic 1: Exponential and
logarithmic functions
1.1. Exponential functions
1.2. Logarithmic functions
- Definition
- Properties
- Function and graph
1.3. Exponential and logarithmic equations
and inequalities
1.4. Applications
2
From the definition of logarithm
Definition: 𝑦 = log 𝑏 𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 .
Therefore:
• log 𝑏 1 = 0
• log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1
• log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥
• 𝑏 log𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥
3
Product rule for logarithm
Example: 4 = 22 and so log 2 4 = 2
8 = 23 and so log 2 8 = 3
4 ⋅ 8 = 22 ⋅ 23 = 22+3
and so log 2 4 ⋅ 8 = 2 + 3 = log 2 4 + log 2 8
General: log 𝑏 𝑥1 ⋅ 𝑥2 = log 𝑏 𝑥1 + log 𝑏 𝑥2
for 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1 and 𝑥1, 𝑥2 > 0
4
Quotient rule for logarithm
Example: 4 = 22 and so log 2 4 = 2
8 = 23 and so log 2 8 = 3
4 22
= 3 = 22−3
8 2
4
and so log 2 = 2 − 3 = log 2 4 − log 2 8
8
𝑥1
General: log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 𝑥1 − log 𝑏 𝑥2
𝑥2
for 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1 and 𝑥1, 𝑥2 > 0
5
Power rule for logarithm
Example: 8 = 23 and so log 2 8 = 3
1 1 1
3 5 3⋅5
85 = 2 =2
1 1 1
and so log 2 85 = 3 ⋅ = ⋅ log 2 8
5 5
General: log 𝑏 𝑥 𝑟 = 𝑟 ⋅ log 𝑏 𝑥
for 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1 , 𝑟 ∈ ℝ and 𝑥 > 0
6
Sum rule for logarithm ?
Example:
log 2 16 + 16 = log 2 32 = log 2 25 = 5
log 2 16 + log 2 16 = log 2 24 + log 2 24 = 4 + 4 = 8
Therefore: log 2 16 + 16 ≠ log 2 16 + log 2 16
General:
There is no general rule for log 𝑏 (𝑥1 ± 𝑥2 )!
7
Exercises
1. Write as a single natural logarithm :
ln 5 + 2 ∙ ln 3 − ln 2 − ln 7 45
1. ln
14
2. Calculate without using the graphical
calculator:
a) log 20 + log 500 2. a) 4
b) − 8
b) log1/3 38 c) 1
1
c) ln 𝑒 + ln(𝑒) + ln
𝑒
8
Change of base rule for logarithm
For 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 0 (old base), 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1 (new base) and 𝑥 > 0:
log 𝑎 𝑥 log 𝑥 ln 𝑥
log 𝑏 𝑥 = = =
log 𝑎 𝑏 log 𝑏 ln 𝑏
Logarithm and GC
Example:
log 0 . 23 Press the button MATH
log 3 0.23 =
log 3
= −1.3377 …
and select A:logBASE
ln 0 . 23 If you do not have this
= = −1.3377 …
ln 3
option: change of base rule
9
Exercises
1. Write the following expression in terms of ln(𝑥), ln(𝑦) and
ln(𝑧):
𝑥2𝑦
ln Answer: ln 𝑥 + 0.5 ln 𝑦 − 2.5 ln 𝑧
𝑧5
2. Course book 4.3 ex 55
In a study of military enlistments, Brown considers total military
compensation 𝐶 as the sum of basic military compensation 𝐵 (which
includes the value of allowances, taks advantages and base pay) and
educational benefits 𝐸. Thus, 𝐶 = 𝐵 + 𝐸. Brown states that
𝐸
ln 𝐶 = ln 𝐵 + ln(1 + ) .
𝐵
Verify this.
Topic 1: Exponential and
logarithmic functions
1.1. Exponential functions
1.2. Logarithmic functions
- Definition
- Properties
- Function and graph
1.3. Exponential and logarithmic equations
and inequalities
1.4. Applications
11
Logarithmic function: definition
For a real number 𝑏 such that 𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏 ≠ 1, the
logarithmic function with base 𝑏 is the function given by the
equation
𝑦 = log 𝑏 𝑥 .
Examples:
𝑦 = log 2 𝑥 logarithmic function with base 2
𝑦 = log 𝑥 logarithmic function with base 10
𝑦 = ln 𝑥 logarithmic function with base 𝑒.
12
Logarithmic function: example
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙 𝒚 = log 𝟐 𝒙
𝒙 𝒚 𝒙 𝒚
-2 1/4 1/4 -2
-1 1/2 𝑦 = 2𝑥 1/2 -1
0 1 1 0
1 2 2 1
2 4 4 2
y = log 2 𝑥
• To find a point on the graph of 𝑦 = log 2 𝑥, we start from a point on the
graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 and interchange 𝑥 and 𝑦.
• We say that the logarithmic function with base 2 is the inverse function of
the exponential function with base 2 (see topic 2).
• Graph of logarithmic function is the mirror image (= reflection) with
respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 of the exponential function with the same base.
13
Logarithmic function: graph case 𝑏 > 1
Graph of logarithmic function is the reflection with
respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 of the exponential function
with the same base.
Exp function 𝒃 > 𝟏 Log function 𝒃 > 𝟏
• Graph rises from • Graph rises from left
left to right to right
• 𝑥-axis is horizontal 1
• 𝑦-axis is vertical
asymptopte asymptopte
b
• 𝑏 0 = 1: 𝑦-intercept • log 𝑏 1 = 0: 𝑥-intercept
is 1, i.e. the graph
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 is 1, i.e. the graph
intersects the 𝑦- intersects the 𝑥-axis
axis in (0,1) 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝟏 = 𝟎 in (1,0)
• 𝑏1 = 𝑏: point (1, 𝑏) 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒃 = 𝟏 • log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1: point (𝑏, 1)
on the graph on the graph
14
Logarithmic function: graph case 0 < 𝑏 < 1
Graph of logarithmic function is the reflection with
respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 of the exponential function
with the same base.
Exp function 0 < b < 1 Log function 0 < 𝑏 < 1
• Graph falls from left • Graph falls from left to
to right right
• 𝑥-axis is horizontal 1 • 𝑦-axis is vertical
asymptopte asymptopte
𝒃
• 𝑏0 = 1: 𝑦-intercept is • log 𝑏 1 = 0: 𝑥-intercept
1, i.e. the graph 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 is 1, i.e. the graph
intersects the 𝑦-axis intersects the 𝑥-axis in
in (0,1) (1,0)
1 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝟏 = 𝟎
• 𝑏 = 𝑏: point (1, 𝑏) on • log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1: point (𝑏, 1)
the graph 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒃 = 𝟏 on the graph
15
Logarithmic function: special cases
𝒚 = ln 𝒙
𝒚 = log 𝒙
ln 𝑒 = 1 log 10 = 1
15
16
In the course book
• The following sections in the course book deal with the
topics in this slideshow
o 4.2 Logarithmic Functions
o 4.3 Properties of Logarithms
• Most of the exercises to these sections are interesting as
well: some as technical finger exercises, some as word
problems.
