1

Logarithmic Functions
2
Logarithmic Functions
In this section, another type of function will be studied called
the logarithmic function. There is a close connection
between a logarithmic function and an exponential function.
We will see that the logarithmic function and exponential
functions are inverse functions.
3
Logarithmic Functions
The logarithmic function with base two is defined to be the
inverse of the one to one exponential function


Notice that the exponential
function


is one to one and therefore has
an inverse.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-4 -2 0 2 4
graph of y = 2^(x)
approaches the negative x-axis as x gets
large
passes through (0,1)
2
x
y =
2
x
y =
4
Inverse of an Exponential Function
Start with
Now, interchange x and y coordinates:

There are no algebraic techniques that can be used to solve for
y, so we simply call this function y the logarithmic function
with base 2. The definition of this new function is:

if and only if
2
x
y =
2
y
x =
2
log x y =
2
y
x =
7
Logarithmic-Exponential
Conversions
Study the examples below. You should be able to convert a
logarithmic into an exponential expression and vice versa.
1.

2.


3.

4.
4
log (16) 4 16 2
x
x x = = =
3
125 5 = ( )
5
log 125 3 =
( )
1
2
81
1
81 9 81 9 log 9
2
= = =
3
3 3 3
3
1 1
log ( ) log ( ) log (3 ) 3
27 3

= = =
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Solving Equations
Using the definition of a logarithm, you can solve equations
involving logarithms. Examples:
3 3 3
log (1000) 3 1000 10 10
b
b b b = = = =
( )
5
6
log 5 6 7776 x x x = = =
In each of the above, we converted from log form to
exponential form and solved the resulting equation.
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Properties of Logarithms
These are the properties of logarithms. M and N are positive real
numbers, b not equal to 1, and p and x are real numbers.
(For 4, we need x > 0).
5. log log log
6. log log log
7. log log
8. log log
b b b
b b b
p
b b
b b
MN M N
M
M N
N
M p M
M N iff M N
= +
=
=
= =
log
1.log (1) 0
2.log ( ) 1
3.log
4.
b
b
b
x
b
x
b
b x
b x
=
=
=
=
10
Solving Logarithmic Equations
1. Solve for x:
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Solving Logarithmic Equations
1. Solve for x:

2. Product rule

3. Special product

4. Definition of log

5. x can be +10 only
6. Why?

( )
4 4
4
2
4
3 2
2
2
log ( 6) log ( 6) 3
log ( 6)( 6) 3
log 36 3
4 36
64 36
100
10
10
x x
x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
+ + =
+ =
=
=
=
=
=
=
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Another Example
1. Solve:


13
Another Example
1. Solve:

2. Quotient rule

3. Simplify
(divide out common factor )
4. rewrite

5 definition of logarithm
6. Property of exponentials
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Common Logs and Natural Logs
Common log Natural log


10
log log x x =
ln( ) log
e
x x =
2.7181828 e ~
If no base is indicated,
the logarithm is
assumed to be base 10.
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Solving a Logarithmic Equation
Solve for x. Obtain the exact
solution of this equation in terms
of e (2.71828)
ln (x + 1) ln x = 1
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Solving a Logarithmic Equation
Solve for x. Obtain the exact
solution of this equation in terms
of e (2.71828)

Quotient property of logs
Definition of (natural log)
Multiply both sides by x
Collect x terms on left side
Factor out common factor
Solve for x
ln (x + 1) ln x = 1
xe = x + 1
xe - x = 1
x (e-1) = 1
1
1
x
e
=

x
x
e
1
1
+
=
1
1
ln =
+
x
x
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Application
How long will it take money to double
if compounded monthly at 4 %
interest?
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Application
How long will it take money to double
if compounded monthly at 4 %
interest?
1. Compound interest formula
2. Replace A by 2P (double the
amount)
3. Substitute values for r and m
4. Divide both sides by P
5. Take ln of both sides
6. Property of logarithms
7. Solve for t and evaluate expression
Solution:
( )
12
12
12
1
0.04
2 1
12
2 (1.003333...)
ln 2 ln (1.003333...)
ln 2 12 ln(1.00333...)
ln 2
17.36
12ln(1.00333...)
mt
t
t
t
r
A P
m
P P
t
t t
| |
= +
|
\ .
| |
= +
|
\ .
=
=
=
= =
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Logarithmic functions compared to
others
Among increasing functions, the logarithmic functions
with bases b > 1 increase much more slowly for large
values of x than either exponential or polynomial
functions. When a visual inspection of the plot of a
data set indicates a slowly increasing function, a
logarithmic function ofter provides a good model.
Comparing functions
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Exponential functions
beat
Polynomial functions
beat
Logarithmic functions