6. The logarithm. The exponential and logarithm functions and their characteristics.

THE LOGARITHM
Definition The exponent to which a is raised to produce b is called the logarithm to the base a ( a > 0 and a 1 ) of positive number b. Notation: log a b.
log 1 9 = 2 1 For example log 2 8 = 3 , because 2 3 = 8 , or , because 3
2

Well-known logarithms: loga1 = 0, loga a = 1, loga ax = x.

= 9.

The notation of the logarithm to base 10 is lg, the notation of the logarithm to base e is ln.

The identities of logarithm (theorems)

1. The logarithm of a product is equal to the sum of the logarithms of its factors: log a ( xy ) = log a x + log a y , where x, y > 0; a > 0; a 1 . Proof: Using the definition and an identity of powers: x y = a log a x a log a y = a log a ( xy ) , from which because of the strictly monotonicity [monotonits] of the exponential function the exponents are equal. 2. The logarithm of a quotient is equal to the difference between the logarithm of the numerator and the logarithm of the denominator: log a y = log a x log a y , where x, y > 0; a > 0; a 1 . x a log a x = = a log a x log a y , and Proof: Using the definition and an identity of powers: y a log a y
log a x y =a , from which because of the strictly monotonicity of the exponential function y x

the exponents are equal. 3. The logarithm of a power is equal to the product of the exponent and the logarithm of the base: log a x k = k log a x , where x > 0; a > 0; a 1; k R . Proof: Using the definition and an identity of powers: x k = ( a log
k
a

x k

= a k log a x , and

the exponents are equal.

x k = a log a x , from which because of the strictly monotonicity of the exponential function

4. We can obtain the logarithm of a number to a new base if we divide the logarithm of the log c b number to the old base by the logarithm of the new base to the old base: log a b = , log c a ahol a, b, c > 0; a 1; c 1. Proof: Using the definition: b = a log a b , we write c log c a instead of a. So
a log b b = c log c a = c logc alog a b , and b = c c , so because of the strictly monotonicity of the exponential function: log c a log a b = log c b. Because of log c a 0 the theorem is true.

log b

-1-

6. The logarithm. The exponential and logarithm functions and their characteristics. THE EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
Definition The function f : R R , f ( x) = a x ; a > 0 and a 1 is called exponential function (in case a = 1 the function is constant).

-2-

6. The logarithm. The exponential and logarithm functions and their characteristics.
y
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9

x
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Characteristics Domain Range continuity zero place monotonicity bound extreme value inflexion parity periodicity convexity limit diff, int.

x a x , a > 0; a 1

x ax , 0 < a < 1

R R+ continuous strictly monotone increasing not periodical convex (from below)

x +

strictly monotone decreasing

bounded from below (k = 0)

lim f ( x) = +

x +

lim f ( x ) = 0

can be differentiated, integrated can be inverted, its inverse is the proper logarithm function

Relationship between the exponential and logarithm functions in case a > 0 : they are the mirror image [tkrkp] of each other to the axis y = x .

-3-

6. The logarithm. The exponential and logarithm functions and their characteristics. THE LOGARITHM FUNCTION AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
Definition The function f : R + R , f ( x) = log a x; a > 0; a 1 is called logarithm function.

-4-

6. The logarithm. The exponential and logarithm functions and their characteristics.
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

x
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1

1 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Characteristics Domain Range continuity zero place monotonicity bound extreme value inflexion parity periodicity convexity limit diff, int.

x log a x , 1 < a

x log a x , 0 < a < 1

R+ R continuous x = 1 , f ( x) = 0 strictly monotone increasing strictly monotone decreasing not bounded not periodical concave (from below) convex (from below)
lim f ( x) =
x 0 x +

lim f ( x ) = +
x 0 x +

lim f ( x) = +

lim f ( x) =

can be differentiated, integrated can be inverted, its inverse is the proper exponential function

Applications: - exponential equations, solving inequalities, logarithmical equations and inequalities - in connection with radioactive isotopes (exponential function) - change of the number of individuals of a population in function of time can be written with exponential function - compound interest [kamatos kamat]

-5-