Lesson 6.

3
Logarithms and
Logarithmic Functions
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Warm-Up

Solve the equation.

8x = 1

1
4x =
4

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Learning Target:
Understand logarithms and graph logarithmic functions.

Success Criteria:
• I can explain the meaning of a logarithm with base b.
• I can evaluate logarithmic expressions.
• I can graph logarithmic functions.

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Explore It! Understanding Logarithmic Functions
Work with a partner.
a. Look for a pattern and complete each statement.
log2 8 = 3 log3 27 = ______
log5 25 = 2 log2 32 = ______
log10 1000 = 3 log4 64 = ______
log7 49 = ______ 1
log2 = ______
2
b. Use your results in part (a) to describe the relationship among the values of b, x, and y in
the equation shown.
logb y = x
c. Use your results above to complete the table of values.
1
x 1000
10
log10 x −2 −1 0 1 2 3

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 Explore It! Understanding Logarithmic Functions

Work with a partner.

d. Plot the points (x, log10 x) from part (c). Draw a smooth curve through
the points. Make several observations about the graph.

RELATE
CONCEPTS
How can you use the
graph of an exponential
function to sketch the
graph of a logarithmic
function?

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 Logarithms
You know that 22 = 4 and 23 = 8. However, for what value of x does
Vocabulary 2x = 6? Mathematicians define this x-value using a logarithm and
logarithm of y with base b, write x = log2 6. The definition of a logarithm can be generalized
p. 328 as follows.
common logarithm, p. 329
natural logarithm, p. 329

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KEY IDEA

Definition of Logarithm with Base b

Let b and y be positive real numbers with b ≠ 1. The logarithm of y with base b
is denoted by logb y and is defined as
logb y = x if and only if bx = y.

The expression logb y is read as “log base b of y.” This definition tells you that the
equations logb y = x and bx = y are equivalent. The first is in logarithmic form,
and the second is in exponential form.

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Example 1 Rewriting Logarithmic Equations

Rewrite each equation in exponential form.

a. log2 16 = 4 b. log4 1 = 0 c. log12 12 = 1 d. log1/4 4 = −1

SOLUTION
Logarithmic Form Exponential Form

a. log2 16 = 4 24 = 16

b. log4 1 = 0 40 = 1

c. log12 12 = 1 121 = 12

d. log1/4 4 = −1 1 −1
=4
4

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Example 2 Rewriting Exponential Equations

Rewrite each equation in logarithmic form.

1
a. 52 = 25 b. 10−1 = 0.1 c. 82/3 = 4 d. 6−3 =
216
SOLUTION

Exponential Form Logarithmic Form

a. 52 = 25 log5 25 = 2

b. 10−1 = 0.1 log10 0.1 = −1

c. 82/3 = 4 2
log8 4 =
3

1 1
d. 6−3 = log6 = −3
216 216

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Rewrite the equation in exponential form.

1. log3 81 = 4 2. log7 7 = 1

3. log14 1 = 0 4. log1/2 32 = −5

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Rewrite the equation in logarithmic form.

5. 72 = 49 6. 500 = 1

1
7. 4−1 = 8. 2561/8 = 2
4

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Parts (b) and (c) of Example 1 illustrate two special logarithm values that you
should learn to recognize. Let b be a positive real number such that b ≠ 1.
Logarithm of 1 Logarithm of b with Base b
logb 1 = 0 because b0 = 1. logb b = 1 because b1 = b.

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Example 3 Evaluating Logarithmic Expressions

Evaluate each logarithm.

a. log4 64 b. log5 0.2 c. log1/5 125 d. log36 6

SOLUTION
To help you find the value of logb y, ask yourself what power of b gives you y.

a. What power of 4 gives you 64? 43 = 64, so log4 64 = 3.

b. What power of 5 gives you 0.2? 5−1 = 0.2, so log5 0.2 = −1.

1 1 −3
c. What power of gives you 125?
5 = 125, so log1/5 125 = −3.
5

1
d. What power of 36 gives you 6? 361/2 = 6, so log36 6 = .
2
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A common logarithm is a logarithm with base 10. It is denoted by log10 or
simply by log. A natural logarithm is a logarithm with base e. It can be
denoted by loge but is usually denoted by ln.
Common Logarithm Natural Logarithm
log10 x = log x loge x = ln x

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 Example 4 Evaluating Common and Natural Logarithms

Evaluate (a) log 8 and (b) ln 0.3 using technology. Round your answer to
three decimal places.

SOLUTION
Check
Rewrite each logarithm
in exponential form and
a. log 8 ≈ 0.903
evaluate.
b. ln 0.3 ≈ −1.204

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Evaluate the logarithm. If necessary, use technology and round your answer to three
decimal places.

9. log2 32 10. log27 3

11. log 12 12. ln 0.75

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13. Which is different? Find “both” answers.

What power of 4 gives you 16? What is log base 4 of 16?

Evaluate 42. Evaluate log4 16.

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Using Inverse Properties
By the definition of logarithm, it follows that the logarithmic function g(x) = logb x is
the inverse of the exponential function f(x) = bx. This means that
g(f(x)) = logb bx = x and f(g(x)) = blogb x = x.

In other words, exponential functions and logarithmic functions “undo” each other.

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Example 5 Using Inverse Properties

Simplify (a) 10log 4 and (b) log5 25x.

SOLUTION

a. 10log 4 = 4 blogb x = x

b. log5 25x = log5(52)x Express 25 as a power with base 5.

= log5 52x Power of a Power Property

= 2x logb bx = x

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 Example 6 Finding Inverse Functions
Find the inverse of each function.
a. f(x) = 6x b. f(x) = ln(x + 3)
SOLUTION
a. From the definition of logarithm, the inverse of f(x) = 6x is f -1(x) = log6 x.
b. Set y equal to f(x). Switch the roles of x and y and solve for y.
y = ln(x + 3) Set y equal to f(x).
x = ln(y + 3) Switch x and y.
STUDY TIP ex = y + 3 Write in exponential form.
From the definition of ex − 3 = y Subtract 3 from each side.
ln x, x = loge(y + 3).
In exponential form, The inverse of f is f -1(x) = ex − 3.

✓
this is written as
ex = y + 3. Check a. f(f -1(x)) = 6log6 x = x
f -1(f(x)) = log6 6x = x ✓
b. f(f -1(x)) = ln(ex – 3 + 3) = ln ex = x ✓
f -1(f(x)) = e ln(x + 3) – 3 = x + 3 − 3 = x ✓
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Simplify the expression.

14. 8log8 x 15. log7 7−3x

16. log2 64x 17. eln 20

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18. Find the inverse of (a) f(x) = 4x and (b) f(x) = ln(x − 5).

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Graphing Logarithmic Functions
You can use the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions to
graph logarithmic functions.

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KEY IDEA

Graphing Logarithmic Functions

The graph of f(x) = logb x is shown below for b > 1 and for 0 < b < 1. Because f(x) = logb x
and g(x) = bx are inverse functions, you can graph f by reversing coordinates of points on
the graph of g. The graph of f is the reflection of the graph of g in the line y = x.

Graph of f(x) = logb x for b > 1 Graph of f(x) = logb x for 0 < b < 1

Note that the y-axis is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f(x) = logb x. The domain of
f(x) = logb x is (0, ∞), and the range is (−∞, ∞).

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Example 7 Graphing a Logarithmic Function
Graph f(x) = log3 x. Determine when the function is positive, negative,
increasing, or decreasing. Then describe the end behavior of the function.
SOLUTION
f-1(x) = 3x
Step 1 Make a table of values for x −2 −1 0 1
f −1. From the definition of
1 1
logarithm, the inverse of f −1(x) 1 3
9 3
f(x) = log3 x is f −1(x) = 3x.

f(x) = log3 x Step 2 Make a table of values for f. 1 1

x 1 3
Reverse the coordinates of 9 3
the points represented by f (x) −2 −1 0 1
the table in Step 1.

Step 3 Plot the points from each table.

Connect each set of points with a
smooth curve.

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Example 7 Graphing a Logarithmic Function
Graph f(x) = log3 x. Determine when the function is positive, negative,
increasing, or decreasing. Then describe the end behavior of the function.
SOLUTION
Positive and Negative: The x-intercept is 1. The
f-1(x) = 3x
function is negative when 0 < x < 1 and positive
when x > 1.

f(x) = log3 x Increasing and Decreasing: The graph has an asymptote of

y = 0. The function increases over its entire domain, x > 0.

End Behavior: From the graph, you can see that y → −∞ as

x → 0 and y → +∞ as x → +∞.

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19. Graph (a) y = log2 x and (b) y = log1/2 x. Determine when each function is positive,
negative, increasing, or decreasing. Then describe the end behavior of each function.

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 In-Class Practice
Mini-Assessment

1. Rewrite 274/3 = 81 in logarithmic form.

2. Evaluate log8 2.
3. Simplify log3 27x.
4. Find the inverse of f(x) = ln(x − 2).
5. Graph f(x) = log1/6 x. Determine when the function is positive,
negative, increasing, or decreasing. Then describe the end behavior
of the function.

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