Logarithmic Functions 5
Logarithmic Functions 5
Lecture Notes
Maham Kiran
May 2022
Outline:
Logarithmic Function
Properties of Logarithmic Functions
Special Logarithmic Functions
Converting from Logarithmic to Exponential Function
Converting from Exponential to Logarithmic Function
Graph of a Logarithmic Function
Finding Domain of a Logarithmic Function
Solving Exponential Equation
Solving Logarithmic Equation
Change-of-Base Formula
Examples
Practice Problems
Logarithmic Function:
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑎 = 𝑥
It is a one-to-one function.
The vertical asymptote is 𝑥 = 0. (y-axis)
The domain of the function is [0, +∞).
The range of the function is ℝ.
If 𝑎 > 1, the function is increasing.
If 0 < 𝑎 < 1, the function is decreasing.
We cannot take the log of a negative number as it is not a real number.
Log (0) does not exist.
1. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 1 = 0
2. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 = 1
3. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑀𝑁) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑁
4. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑁
5. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑀 ) = 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀
Identifying 𝑎, 𝑥, 𝑦.
Rewrite 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑦 as 𝑎 = 𝑥.
𝑎 =𝑥
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
Solution:
(a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 49
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=7 and x=49. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives 7 = 49 = 7
Hence, 𝑙𝑜𝑔 49 = 2.
(b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=27 and x=1/9. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives
1
27 =
9
1
(3 ) = =3
3
3 =3
3𝑦 = −2
−2
𝑦=
3
Hence, 𝑙𝑜𝑔 = .
(c) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 25
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=1/5 and x=25. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives
= 25 = 5
5 =5
−𝑦 = 2
𝑦 = −2
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The graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑎 and 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 are symmetric with respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Interchange the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 to sketch the graph of the logarithmic function.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the function𝑓(𝑥) = 5 and 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 in the interval
Solution:
x -2 -1 0 1 2
𝑦=5 1/25 1/5 1 5 25
𝒚 -2 -1 0 1 2
𝑥 1/25 1/5 1 5 25
For inverse functions, we take the same horizontal and vertical span. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 ,
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
3. Domain and Range:
𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = ℝ = 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = (0, +∞) = 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
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Example 3: Find the inverse of the function𝑓(𝑥) = 2 and sketch the graph of both functions
in the interval [-2,2]. Also find the domain and range.
Solution:
1. Inverse:
As, we know that the inverse of an exponential function is a logarithmic function. So,
change this function into logarithmic function.
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives log 𝑥 = 𝑦
so, 2 =𝑦
gives log 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3
x = log 𝑦 + 3
Now, interchange x and y: y = log 𝑥 + 3
x -1 0 1 2 3 4
𝑦=5 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2
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Solution:
1. Domain:
The logarithmic function is defined only when the input is positive, so the function is
defined when 2 − 𝑥 > 0.
Solving the inequality:
2−𝑥 >0
2>𝑥
or, 𝑥<2
The domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log (2 − 𝑥) is (−∞, 2).
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Example 5: Solve 𝑒 = 2.
Solution: Tke log with base e i.e ln (natural log) on both sides:
𝑙𝑛𝑒 = 𝑙𝑛2
𝑥 = 0.6931
2 =𝑥−3
𝑥 =2 +3
𝑥 = 16 + 3 = 19
Change-of-Base Formula:
log 𝑥
log 𝑥 =
log 𝑎
log 𝑥
log 𝑥 =
log 𝑎
log 3
log 3 =
log 2
log 3 = =1.58
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Practice Problems: