8.
1 Exploring the Logarithmic Function
Unit 8 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
MHF 4U1: Advanced Functions
Unit Introduction
On October 5th, 2005, Pakistan experienced a major earthquake of a magnitude of 7.6. This
earthquake killed over 73,000 people and made over 4 million people homeless.
Photo credits: Gregory Takats, AusAID
On October 20th, 2005, Owen Sound, Ontario, experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake. Although
many people felt this earthquake, no damage occurred and no one was injured. How many times
greater is the magnitude of Pakistan’s earthquake to that of Owen’s?
In this unit you will investigate the key features of the inverse of an exponential function. This
function is called the logarithmic function. We will examine the laws of logarithms, transformations of
logarithmic functions, logarithmic equations, and solutions to real-life problems using logarithms.
Minds On:
Graphs of Exponential Functions and their Inverse
Inverse functions are the set of ordered pairs obtained by .
f(x) f-1(x)
x y
Inverse functions can be created graphically by a .
A function is the inverse of an exponential function.
Exponential functions have the following characteristics: Domain: Range:
Graph the exponential function y = 2x and its inverse.
f(x) = 2x f-1(x)
x y x y
Action:
Finding the Inverse of an Exponential Function Algebraically
y = ax
Example 1: Write the following in logarithmic form:
a) 33 = 27 b) 45 = 256
c) 27 = 128 d) (1/3)x = 27
Example 2: Write the following in exponential form:
a) log264 = 6 b) log255 = ½
c) log81 = 0 d) log1/31/9 = 2
Example 3: Find the value of x for each:
a) log1/327 = x b) log5x = 3 c) logx(1/9) = 2 d) log3x = 0
Base 10 LOGS
Scientific calculators can perform logarithmic operations. Your calculator has a LOG button, which represents
logarithms in BASE 10 or log10.
Example 4: Use your calculator to find the value of each of the following:
a) log101000 b) log 50 c) log -1000
Consolidate: p. 451 # (1-2)ac, 3 – 4, 7 - 11