The Logarithm 

Function 6.4

Introduction
In this block we consider the logarithm function y = loga x and examine its important charac-
teristics. We see that this function is only dened if x is a positive number. We also see that
the log function is the inverse function of the exponential function and vice versa. We show,
through numerous examples, how equations involving logarithms and exponentials can often be
solved.

have knowledge of inverse functions

Prerequisites have knowledge of the laws of logarithms

and of the laws of indices
Before starting this Block you should . . .
be able to solve quadratic equations

Learning Outcomes Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .

understand the relation between the allocate sucient study time

logarithm and the exponential function

solve equations involving briey revise the prerequisite material

exponentials and logarithms
attempt every guided exercise and most
change bases in logarithms of the other exercises
1. The logarithm function
In block 3 we introduced the operation of taking logarithms which essentially reverses the op-
eration of exponentiation.

If a > 0 and a
= 1 then x = ay implies y = loga x

In this block we consider the function loga x in more detail. We shall concentrate only on the
functions log x (i.e. to base 10) and ln x (i.e. to base e) as these are, invariably, the only
logarithmic functions used in practice. In any case the logarithmic function to any other base
can be re-written in terms of log x or ln x since:
log x ln x
loga x = and also loga x =
log a ln a
Both of the functions y = log x and y = ln x have similar characteristics. We can never choose
x as a negative number since 10y and ey are each always positive. The graphs of y = log x and
y = ln x are shown in the following diagram.

y 10 x
ex

ln x
log x

From the graphs we see that both functions are one-to-one so each has an inverse function. In
fact, as is easy to demonstrate, the inverse function of loga x is ax . Let us do this for logs to
base 10.
Let f (x) = log x then f 1 (x) is, by denition, precisely that function which takes log x as the
input to produce an output x. We claim that f 1 (x) = 10x . To see this we replace x by log x
(as the input) then
f 1 (log x) = 10log x
The expression 10log x can be simplied. To simplify let y = 10log x and take logs of both sides.

log y = log(10log x ) = (log x) log 10 = log x so y = x

That is x = 10log x .
This result proves that the inverse function to log x is 10x . In a similar way the inverse function
to ln x is ex .

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
2. Solving equations involving logarithms and exponentials
To solve equations which involve logarithms and/or exponentials we need to be aware of the
basic laws which govern both of these mathematical concepts. We illustrate by considering some
examples.

1
Example Solve for the variable x: (a) 3 = 10x , (b) 10x/4 = log 3, (c) 17ex
=4

Solution
(a) Here we take logs (to base 10 because of the term 10x ) of both sides to give

log 3 = log 10x = x log 10 = x

where we have used the general property that loga Ak = k loga A and the specic property that
log 10 = 1. Hence x = log 3 or, in numerical form, x = 0.47712.
(b) The approach used in (a) is used here. Take logs of both sides:

log(10x/4 ) = log(log 3)
x
that is log 10 = log(log 3) = log(0.4771212) = 0.3213712
4
so, since log 10 = 1 we have

x = 4(0.3213712) = 1.2854848

(c) Here we simplify the expression before taking logs.

1
=4 implies 1 = 4(17 ex )
17 ex
or 4ex = 4(17) 1 = 67 so ex = 16.75. Now taking natural logs of both sides (due to the
presence of the ex term) we have:

ln(ex ) = ln(16.75) = 2.8183983

1
But ln(ex ) = x ln e = x and so the solution to 17ex
= 4 is x = 2.8183983.

Try each part of this exercise

Solve the equations (a) (ex )2 = 50, (b) e2x = 17ex

Part (a)(i) First solve for ex by taking square roots of both sides.
(ex )2 = 50 implies ex = Answer

Part (a)(ii) Now take logarithms to an appropriate base to nd x.

ex = 7.071068 implies x = Answer

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
Part (b)(i) Again simplify the expression rst as much as possible. In this case divide both
sides by ex and simplify.
Answer

Part (b)(ii) Now complete the solution for x.

Answer

Example Find x if 10x 5 + 6(10x ) = 0

Solution
We rst simplify this expression by multiplying through by 10x (this will eliminate the term
10x ).
10x (10x ) 10x (5) + 10x (6(10x )) = 0
or
102x 5(10x ) + 6 = 0 since 10x (10x ) = 100 = 1
It is not obvious, at rst sight how we might solve the equation 102x 5(10x ) + 6 = 0. However,
after a little thought, we realise that this expression is a quadratic expression. Let us rst put
y = 10x to give
y 2 5y + 6 = 0
in which we have used 102x = 10x (10x ) = y 2 . Now, we are familiar with the solution for
y 2 5y + 6 = 0. We can factorise to give

(y 3)(y 2) = 0 so that y = 3 or y = 2

For each of these values of y we obtain a separate value for x since y = 10x .
case 1 If y = 3 then 3 = 10x implying x = log 3 = 0.4771212
case 2 If y = 2 then 2 = 10x implying x = log 2 = 0.3010300
We conclude that the equation 10x 5 + 6(10x ) = 0 has two possible solutions for x: either
x = 0.4771212 or x = 0.3010300.

Try each part of this exercise

Solve 2e2x 7ex + 3 = 0.

Part (a) First write your expression as a quadratic in the variable y = ex :

Answer

Part (b) Now nd the solution to the quadratic for y:

Answer

Part (c) For each of your values of y, nd x.

Answer
As a nal example we consider equations involving the hyperbolic functions.

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
Example Solve the equations (a) cosh 3x = 1 (b) 2 cosh2 x = 3 cosh 2x 3

Solution
(a)
e3x + e3x
cosh 3x = 1 implies =1 or e3x + e3x 2 = 0
2
Now multiply through by e3x (to eliminate the term e3x ) to give

e3x e3x + e3x e3x 2e3x = 0 or e6x 2e3x + 1 = 0

This is a quadratic equation in the variable y = e3x so

y 2 2y + 1 = 0 implying (y 1)2 = 0 or y = 1
1
so e3x = 1 implying x= ln 1 = 0
3

(b) We rst simplify this expression by using the identity: cosh 2x = 2 cosh2 1. Thus the
original equation 2 cosh2 x = 3 cosh 2x 3 becomes cosh 2x + 1 = 3 cosh 2x 3 or, when written
in terms of exponentials:
e2x + e2x e2x + e2x
= 3( )4
2 2
Therefore, multiplying through by 2e2x gives e4x + 1 = 3(e4x + 1) 8e2x or, after simplifying:

e4x 4e2x + 1 = 0

Writing this quadratic in the variable y where y = e2x we easily obtain y 2 4y + 1 = 0 with
solution (using the quadratic formula):

4 16 4
y= =2 3
2

so, either y = 2 + 3 or y = 2 3.

If y = 2 + 3 then 2 + 3 = e2x implying x = 0.65848

If y = 2 3 then 2 3 = e2x implying x = 0.65848

Try each part of this exercise

Find the solution for x if tanh x = 0.5.

Part (a) First re-write tanh x in terms of exponentials.

Answer

Part (b) Now substitute into tanh x = 0.5

Answer

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
Part (c) Now complete your solution by nding x
Answer
Alternatively, many calculators have a button allowing for the direct calculation of the inverse
function tanh1 . If you have such a calculator then

tanh x = 0.5 implies x = tanh1 0.5 = 0.549306

Example Solve for x if 3 ln x + 4 log x = 1.

First express each logarithm in terms of logs to the same base, e say. Now
ln x
log x =
ln 10
So 3 ln x + 4 log x = 1 becomes
ln x 4
3 ln x + 4 =1 or (3 + ) ln x = 1
ln 10 ln 10
ln 10 2.302585
leading to ln x = 3 ln 10+4
= 10.907755
= 0.211096 and so

x = e0.211096 = 1.2350311

More exercises for you to try

1. Solve for the variable x: (a) = 10x (b) 10x/2 = 3 (c) 1
17 x
=4
2. Solve the equations
(a) e2x = 17ex , (b) e2x 2ex 6 = 0, (c) cosh x = 3.

Answer

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
3. Computer Exercise or Activity

For this exercise it will be necessary for you to

access the computer package DERIVE.

DERIVEs equation solving capabilities can be used to solve many of the equations occurring
in this block. For example, to solve the equation (for x)
1
=4
17 ex
we would key in 1/(17 e x) 4. DERIVE responds:

1
4
17 ex

We would then key Solve:Algebraically:Simplify and DERIVE responds

[x = LN(67) 2 LN(2)]

which is the same as the answer ln(16.75) obtained in the text.

DERIVE will also (when possible) solve equations giving rise to two solutions. For example, the
solutions to
10x 5 + 6(10x ) = 0
are (proceeding as above) given as

LN(2) LN(3)
[x = , x= ]
LN(10) LN(10)

These solutions are exactly the same as those obtained in the block since, if we change bases
ln 2 ln 3
log 2 = and log 3 =
ln 10 ln 10

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 End of Block 6.4

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials

(ex )2 = 50 implies ex = 50 = 7.071068. Here we have taken the positive value for the
square root since we know that exponential functions are always positive.

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
ex = 7.071068 implies x = ln(7.071068) = 1.956012

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
e2x
ex
= 17 implies e2xx = 17 or ex = 17

Back to the theory

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 ex = 17 implies x = ln(17) = 2.8332133

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
2y 2 7y + 3 = 0

Back to the theory

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(2y 1)(y 3) = 0 therefore y = 1
2
or y = 3

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
x = 0.693147 or x = 1.0986123

Back to the theory

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 ex ex e2x 1
tanh x = ex +ex
= e2x +1

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
e2x 1 e2x
e2x +1
= 0.5 implies (e2x 1) = 12 (e2x + 1) so 2
= 3
2
so, nally, e2x = 3

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
x = 0.549306

Back to the theory

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6.4: Logarithms and Exponentials
1. (a) x = log = 0.497
(b) x/2 = log 3 and so x = 2 log 3 = 0.954
(c) 17 x = 0.25 so x = 16.75 therefore x = loglog16.75

= 1.224
0.497
= 2.462
2. (a) Take logs of both sides: 2x = ln 17 + x x = ln 17 = 2.833
(b) Let y = ex then y 2 2y 6 = 0 therefore y = 1 7 (we cannot take the negative sign
since exponentials can never be negative). Thus x = ln(1 + 7) = 1.2936.
x

(c) e + e = 6 therefore e 6e + 1 = 0 so e =
x 2x x x 6 364
= 3 8
2
We have, nally x = ln(3 + 8) = 1.7627 or x = ln(3 8) = 1.7627

Back to the theory

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