LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

(Reviewer - 2nd Qtr. Finals)

Exponential Form Logarithmic Form
24 = 16 log 2 16 = 4
102 = 100 log 100 = 2
1 1
252 = 5 log 25 5 =
2
The Logarithm of a Number
The logarithm 𝑥 of a number 𝑁 to a certain base 𝑎 is merely the exponent (also known as mantissa) to which the base is
raised to obtain the number. In symbols, log 𝑎 𝑁 = 𝑥 if 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑁. Hint: You may also use the calculator in evaluating logarithmic expressions.
Find the value of the unknown.
a. log 𝑥 243 = 5 b. log 4 𝑥 = −3 c. 5𝑛 = 125
−3
𝑥 5 = 243 4 =𝑥 log 5 125 = 𝑛
5
√𝑥 5 = 5√243 1 log125
=𝑥 =𝑛
𝑥=3 64 log5
3=𝑛
Evaluate the following.
d. log 5 625 e. log 5 5√5
Let 𝑥 = log 5 625 Let 𝑥 = log 5 5√5
5𝑥 = 625
5𝑥 = 5√5
5 𝑥 = 54 1
𝑥=4 5 𝑥 = 5 ∙ 52
3
Thus, log 5 625 = 4 5 𝑥 = 52
3
𝑥=
2
3
Thus, log 5 5√5 =
2
PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHM
Like other functions, the logarithmic function is a powerful tool in problem solving. Since logarithmic functions and exponential
functions are inverses, then the properties of logarithm follows directly from the laws of exponents.
Properties of Logarithm
Property 1 Property 3: Logarithm of Quotients
𝑀
For any base 𝑏, log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁
𝑁
i. log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1
ii. log 𝑏 1 = 0
iii. log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥 (𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1)

Property 2: Logarithm of Products Property 4: Logarithm of Powers of

log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁 Positive Real Numbers
log 𝑏 𝑀𝑎 = 𝑎 log 𝑏 𝑀
Expand each logarithm.
a. log 2 𝑢𝑣 2 𝑤 3 𝑥3
b. log 9
= log 2 𝑢+log 2 𝑣 2 +log 2 𝑤 3 𝑦2

= log 2 𝑢 + 2log 2 𝑣 + 3log 2 𝑤 = log 9 𝑥 3 − log 9 𝑦 2

= 3log 9 𝑥 − 2log 9 𝑦
Express as a single logarithm.
c. (2log 3 𝑥 + 2log 3 𝑧) − 3log 3 𝑦 d. log 6 + log11 + log3
𝑥 2𝑧2 = log 6 + log11 + log3
= log 3 3 = log(6 ∗ 11 ∗ 3)
𝑦
= log(198)
SOLVING LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
The properties of logarithms can also be used in solving logarithmic equations and inequalities.
Solve.
a. log 2 (2𝑥) + log 2 (9) = log 2 54 b. log(2𝑥 − 3) = 2 c. log 𝑥 216 = 3
2𝑥 ∗ 9 = 54 2𝑥 − 3 = 102 𝑥 3 = 216
3
18𝑥 = 54 2𝑥 = 100 + 3 3
√𝑥 3 = √216
𝑥=3 2𝑥 = 103 𝑥=6
𝑥 = 51.5
d. 2 log 2 𝑥 − log 2 (𝑥 + 3) = 2
log 2 𝑥 2 − log 2 (𝑥 + 3) = 2
𝑥2
log 2 ( )=2
𝑥+3
𝑥2
= 22
𝑥+3
𝑥2
=4
𝑥+3
𝑥2
= 4𝑥 + 12
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 12 = 0
(𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
𝑥 − 6 = 0 or 𝑥 + 2 = 0
𝑥=6 𝑥 = −2