GRAPHS OF

LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS AND ITS
CHARACTERISTICS
Objective

We are able to represent a logarithmic

function through its equation, table of
values, and graph, find the domain, range,
intercepts, zeroes and asymptotes of
logarithmic functions, and graph logarithmic
functions.
Lesson Outline:

1. Review that the logarithmic function is the

inverse of an exponential function
2. Represent the logarithmic function through
its equation, table of values, and graphs.
3. Analyze the basic logarithmic function by
identifying its domain, range, intercepts,
zeroes and asymptotes.
4. Sketch the graph of logarithmic functions.
 The graph of a logarithmic
function is a necessary tool in
describing its behavior and
characteristics – its
intercepts, asymptotes, and
zeroes. A graph can also
provide insights as to real-life
situations that can be
modeled by exponential
functions.
How can we prove that the
logarithmic function is the
inverse of exponential
function?
Find the inverse of exponential function.

𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒃 𝒙 (exponential function)
(transform the exponential
𝒚=𝒃 𝒙 function)

𝒚
𝒙=𝒃 (interchange x and y)

𝒚 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃 𝒙 (rewrite the logarithmic

form)

𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃 𝒙 (the logarithmic function)

 Representing logarithmic functions
with b > 1.
Example 1
Sketch the graph
of 𝒚 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐 𝒙
• Construct a
table of values
of ordered
pairs for the
given function. Table of values
• Plot the points. x 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 8
16 8 4 2
• Connect the 8
y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
points using a 5
smooth curve
Relationship between the graphs of
exponential and logarithmic functions
with b > 1.

𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥
 Representing logarithmic functions
with 0 < b < 1. Table of values
x 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 8
Example 2 16 8 4 2
Sketch the graph y 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3

of 𝒚 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏 𝒙
𝟐
• Construct a table
of values of
ordered pairs for
the given
function.
• Plot points
• Connect the
points using a
smooth curve
Properties of Logarithmic Function f(x) = logb x

i. The domain is the set of all positive numbers or 𝑥 𝜖 ℜ 𝑥 > 0}.

ii. The range is the set of all real numbers.
iii. It is one-to-one function. It satisfies the horizontal line test.
iv. The x-intercept is 1 or at (1, 0). There is no y-intercept.
v. The vertical asymptote is the line x = 0 (the y-axis). There is
no horizontal asymptote.
Relationship between the Graphs Logarithmic and
Exponential Functions

𝐹𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑏 < 1

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑏 > 1

𝑦 = 𝑏𝑥

𝑦 = 𝑏𝑥

𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥
Example 3. Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐 𝒙
and determine the domain, range, vertical
asymptote, x-intercept and zero. 𝑦 = 2log2 𝑥
Stretched
X 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
by 2 units
log2 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

2log2 x -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
𝑦 = log2 𝑥

Analysis
i. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 > 0}
ii. Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ ℝ}
iii. Vertical Asymptote: 𝑥 = 0
iv. x-intercept is 1 or at (1, 0)
v. Zero is at 1
Example 4. Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟏
and determine the domain, range, vertical
Shifted
asymptote, x-intercept and zero. by 1 unit
down
X 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
log2 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 𝑦 = log2 𝑥

log2 x - 1 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
𝑦 = log2 𝑥 − 1
Analysis
i. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 > 0}
ii. Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ ℝ}
iii. Vertical Asymptote: 𝑥 = 0
iv. x-intercept is 2 or at (2, 0)
v. Zero is at 2
Example 5. Sketch the graph of y = log0.5 (x+2)
and determine the domain, range, vertical
asymptote, x-intercept and zero.
y = log0.5 (x+2) Shifted
Sketch the graph of the basic function: by 2
y=log0.5 x units to
the left.
Rewrite the functions: y = log0.5 (x-(-2))
Sketch the graph of y = log0.5 (x-(-2))
*The “-2” means horizontal shift to the left.
y = log0.5 x
Analysis
i. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≻ −2}
ii. Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ ℝ}
iii. Vertical Asymptote: 𝑥 = −2
1 1 1 1
iv. x-intercept is 2 or at (-1, 0) X 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
v. Zero is at -1 log0.5 x 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3
Summary: Graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒂 ∗ 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐛 𝐱 − 𝐜 + 𝐝

 The value of 𝑏 (either 𝑏 > 1 or 0 < 𝑏 < 1) determines

whether the graph is increasing or decreasing.
 The value of a determines the stretch or shrinking of
the graph. Further, if 𝑎 is negative, there is a reflection
of the graph about the x-axis.
 Based on 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 ∗ 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏(𝒙 − 𝒄) + 𝒅, the vertical shift
is 𝑑 units up (if 𝑑 > 0) or 𝑑 units down (if 𝑑 < 0), and
the horizontal shift is 𝑐 units to the right (if 𝑐 > 0) or 𝑐
units to the left (if 𝑐 < 0).