MHF 4U0 Page 1 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

Expectations:

A 1.1

A 1.3

A 2.1

A 2.2
MHF 4U0 Page 2 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

Activity: Key Features of Familiar Mathematical Functions

Workbook Pages 2 - 3

Asymptote: A value (shown using a dotted line) which the curve approaches as
the value of x approaches + 4, - 4 or both.

Activity: Properties of Exponential Functions

Workbook Page 4

Summary of Exponential Functions y=ax

• y - intercept (0, 1)
• no x - intercept
• If a > 1, the function is always increasing
• If 0 < a < 1, the function is always decreasing
• Domain {x | x 0 R }
• Range {y | y > 0, y 0 R }

⎛ 1⎞ x
Note: y= ⎜ ⎟ can be written as y = 2 -x which is a reflection of y = 2 x in
⎝ 2⎠
the y - axis.

Activity: What Does the LOG Button on My Calculator Do?

Workbook Pages 5 - 6
MHF 4U0 Page 3 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

Logarithmic Functions

The logarithm of a number with a base a is the exponent to which a must be

raised to get the number.

In general,
log a a x = x or log a x = y

Another relationship that relates the variables x, y and a. Use the tables above
to help you.

log a x = y

can be written in exponential form as

a y = x

Note: If the base is not specified, it is assumed to be base 10.

Example 1: Rewrite each of the following expressions in exponential form.

a) log 3 81 = 4 b) log 7 343 = 3

4 7
3 = 81 3 = 343

Example 2: Rewrite each of the following expressions in logarithmic form.

1 b) 2 9 = 512
a) 5 -2 =
25
log 2 512 = 9
⎛ 1⎞
log ⎜ ⎟ = -2
5
⎝ 25⎠
MHF 4U0 Page 4 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

Example 3: Evaluate the following logarithms.

a) log 10 15 b) log 10 -7

= 15 = -7

c) log 5 25 1
d) log 3
81
2
= log 5 4
5
⎛ 1⎞
= 2 = log ⎜ ⎟
3
⎝ 3⎠
- 4
= log 3 (3 )
= - 4

Homework: Exercise 1
Workbook Page 6 - 7

Properties of Logarithmic Functions # 1, 3, 5

Workbook Pages 9 - 10

Note: WINPLOT instructions are on Pages 11 - 12

MHF 4U0 Page 5 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

Properties of Familiar Mathematical Functions

Odd Degree
Quadratic Even Degree
Linear Polynomial Exponential
y = ax 2+bx+c Polynomial
y = mx + b (Degree $ 3) Function
y=a (x-h )2+k (Degree $ 4)

Domain {x | x 0 R } {x | x 0 R } {x | x 0 R } {x | x 0 R } {x | x 0 R }

{y |y $k,y 0R }
if a > 0 Varies by {y |y >0,y 0R }
Range {y | y 0 R } {y | y 0 R }
{y |y #k,y 0R } function
if a < 0

b
− − b ± b 2 − 4ac Varies by Varies by
x - intercepts m None
2a function function

Varies by Varies by
y - intercepts (0, b ) (0, c ) (0, 1 )
function function

Asymptotes None None None None y = 0

MHF 4U0 Page 6 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

What Does the LOG Button on my Calculator Do?

The LOG button on your calculator is known as the common logarithm, LOG 10. Use the LOG
button to complete the table below. The first one is done for you.

Logarithm Value
3
log 1000 = 3 10 = 1000
2
log 100 = 2 10 = 100
1
log 10 = 1 10 = 10
0
log 1 = 0 10 = 1
-1
log 0.1 = -1 10 = 0.1
-2
log 0.01 = -2 10 = 0.01
-3
log 0.001 = -3 10 = 0.001
-3
log 0.0001 = -4 10 = 0.001
-4
10 = 0.000 1
log 10 = 0.5

log 10 000 = 2

log 0.001 = -1.5

log 0 = ERROR

log (-3) = ERROR

log (-31) = ERROR

log 6.74 = 0.828659897

log 67.4 = 1.8286598971

log 674 = 2.828659897

log 20 = 1.301029996

log 2000 = 3.301 029 996

log 5 = 0.698 970 004

MHF 4U0 Page 7 of 7

Unit 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Lesson 1: Modelling Logarithmic Functions

What Does the LOG Button on my Calculator Do? CONTINUED

1 Describe the relationship between log x and x.

2 What single word best describes a logarithm? Explain your answer.

A logarithm is an exponent to which a base is raised to obtain a value.

3 Use your results to state the corresponding power if

a) log 2 8 = 3

3
2 = 8

b) log 2 32 = 5

5
2 = 32