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Understanding Logarithmic Functions

Logarithmic functions are defined as the inverse of exponential functions. There are two common types of logarithmic functions: common logs which have a base of 10 and natural logs which have a base of e. Logarithmic functions have specific properties and identities when written in exponential or logarithmic form. They can be graphed by rewriting the function in exponential form and plotting points, with the graph being symmetric about the line y=x.

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628 views19 pages

Understanding Logarithmic Functions

Logarithmic functions are defined as the inverse of exponential functions. There are two common types of logarithmic functions: common logs which have a base of 10 and natural logs which have a base of e. Logarithmic functions have specific properties and identities when written in exponential or logarithmic form. They can be graphed by rewriting the function in exponential form and plotting points, with the graph being symmetric about the line y=x.

Uploaded by

YukiC123
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Logarithmic Functions (section 3.

2)
Definition of logarithmic functions. Identities. Graphing a logarithmic functions.

Definition of Logarithmic Function (pg 3.2)

The exponential function y=ax is


one-to-one function and has an inverse.

log a x y

The logarithmic function is the inverse function of the exponential function.

if and only if

xa

y
2

Common Logs

The logarithmic function with base 10 is called the Common Logarithmic Function. Denoted

log x y

When the base is 10, it is not written


3

Natural Logs

The logarithmic function with base e is called the Natural Logarithmic Function. Denoted

ln x y

Identities

Exponential and logarithms (same base) are inverses of each other. Based on composing inverse functions:

For all real numbers x,

log a a x
x

For all positive numbers x,

log a x

x
5

Example #1
Rewrite the Common Logarithmic expression as an exponential expression: 1 If log 10 1 Then

10 10

Common log (base 10), base not written

Properties of Logarithms
Exp Form 0 Log Form Example

a 1
1

log a 1 0
log a a 1

log 3 1 0

a a
a
log a x
x

log10 1
log 5 5 2
2

x
y

log a a x
x

If a a x y

If log a x log a y x y

log 5 x log 5 17 x 17
8

Example #2
Rewrite the logarithmic expression as an exponential expression: 2 If log 36 2 Then 6

36 6

The base is always the base, but changes partners


9

Example #3

Rewrite the exponential expression as a logarithmic expression:

If

82

Then

log 2 8 3

The base is always the base, but changes partners


10

Graphing a Logarithmic Equation

The graph of a function and its inverse are

Symmetric about the Identity (y = x)

Asymptotes
Domain Range

11

Graphing

y log 3 x

Rewrite in exponential form, solve for values of x, and draw a smooth curve through the points.

D: (0, ), R: (-, ) -- cannot take log of a negative number


y

x 1 3 9 27

y 0 1 2 3

3 x
y
(27,3) (9,2) (3,1)
0 x 10 15 20 25

(1,0)

-2

12

Graphing

y log 3 ( x 3)

To obtain this graph translate y log 3 x to the left 3 units. D: (-3, ), R: (-, ) -- cannot take log of a negative number
y

x -2 0 6 24

y 0 1 2 3

3 x3
y
0 5 10 15

3 x
y
20

x 25

-2

13

Graphing y log3 x 3
To obtain this graph translate y log 3 x up 3 units. D: (0, ), R: (-, ) -- cannot take log of a negative number

x 1 3 9 27

y 3 4 5 6

(y-3)

0 0 5 10

15

3 x
y
20

x 25

-2

14

The Natural Logarithm


A logarithm with base e is called a natural logarithm, denoted ln x, with x>0. On the calculator >> key LN. The properties of natural logarithms are the same as other logarithms. We solve natural log equations the same as other logarithm equations.

15

Properties of Natural Logarithms


Exponent Form Log Form

e 1
0

ln1 0
ln e 1
x

e e
1

e e ln x ln y
ln x

ln e x
x

x y
16

Example #4

Evaluate

1 ln e

1 1 ln ln e 1 e

17

Example #5

Evaluate

3ln e

3ln e 3(1) 3

18

Finding Domain of Logs


Logs are defined only if their arguments > 0 f x ln 2 x 5

2x+5 > 0. 2x>-5. x>-5/2 or (-5/2, )

f x ln 6 x 7

6-x>0. -x>-6. x<6. (-,6)

19

Testables

First Quiz

Graphing, Transformations

Later quiz and test


Graphing and transformations Manipulating equations Calculations

20

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