LOGARITHMIC

FUNCTIONS
 The logarithmic function to the base a, where a > 0 and a 
1 is defined:

y = logax if and only if x = a y

logarithmic
form exponential
form
When you convert an exponential to log form, notice that the
exponent in the exponential becomes what the log is equal to.

Convert to log form: 16  4 2 log416  2

Convert to exponential form: 1
1 2 
3
log2  3 8
8
 LOGS = EXPONENTS
With this in mind, we can answer questions about the log:

This is asking for an exponent. What

log 2 16  4 exponent do you put on the base of 2 to
get 16? (2 to the what is 16?)
1 What exponent do you put on the base of
log 3  2 3 to get 1/9? (hint: think negative)
9
log 4 1  0 What exponent do you put on the base of
4 to get 1?
1 When working with logs, re-write any
1
log 33 32  radicals as rational exponents.
What exponent do you put on the base of
2 3 to get 3 to the 1/2? (hint: think rational)
EXAMPLE
1
Solve for x: log x  26

Solution:
Let’s rewrite the problem in
exponential form.

62  x
We’re finished !
 EXAMPLE
2 1
Solve for y: log y
5
25

Solution: Rewrite the problem in

exponential form.

1
5 
y 1 
Since   5 2 
 25 
25
5y  5 2

y  2
 EXAMPLE
3
Evaluate log3 27.

Solution:
Try setting this up like this:

log3 27  y Now rewrite in exponential form.

3y  27
3y  33
y3
 Example 4

EVALUA log7 72
TE:
Solution:
log7 72  y First, we write the problem with a variable.

7y  72 Now take it out of the logarithmic form

and write it in exponential form.
y2
 Example 5

4
Evaluate: 16
LOG 4

Solution:
4 log y
4 16
First, we write the problem with a variable.

log4 y  log4 16 Now take it out of the exponential form

and write it in logarithmic form.
Just like 23  8 converts to log 2 8  3
y  16
 F INALLY, WE WANT TO TAKE A LOO
K AT
T H E P R O P E R T YO F E Q UA L I T Y F O
R LO GARITH M IC F UN C TIO NS .
Suppose b  0 and b  1.
Then logb x1  logb x2 if and only if x1  x2

Basically,withlogarithmicfunctions,
ifthebasesmatchonbothsidesoftheequal
s i g n ,t h e n s i m p l ys e tt h e a rg u m e nt s e q u a l .
 Example 1

SOLVE: LOG3 (4X  10)  LOG3

(X 1)
Solution:
Since the bases are both ‘3’ we simply set the
arguments equal.
4x 10  x 1
3x 10  1
3x   9
x3
 Example 2

log8 (x 2  14)  log (5x)

Solve: 8

Solution:
Since the bases are both ‘8’ we simply set the arguments equal.

x  14  5x
2

x 2  5x 14  0 Factor
(x  7)(x  2) 0
(x  7) 0 or (x  2)  0
x  7 or x  2 continued on the next page
 Example 2
continued

log8 (x 2  14)  log (5x)

SOLV 8
E:
Solution:
x  7 or x  2
It appears that we have 2 solutions here.
If we take a closer look at the definition of a
logarithm however, we will see that not only
must we use positive bases, but also we see
that the arguments must be positive as well.
Therefore -2 is not a solution.
Let’s end this lesson by taking a closer look at
this.
O U R F I N A LCO N C E R N
THENISTO
DETERMINEWHYLOGARITHM
SLIKE
TH EO NE BE LOWARE U NDE F I N
E D. log2 (8)
C an anyone give us
a n ex p l a n a t i o n ?
 LOG2 (8) 
UNDEFINEDWHY?
One easy explanation is to simply rewrite this
logarithm in exponential form.
We’ll then see why a negative value is not
permitted.

log2 (8)  y First, we write the problem with a variable.

2y   8 Now take it out of the logarithmic form

and write it in exponential form.

What power of 2 would gives us -8 ?

1
23  8 and 2 3 
8
Hence expressions of this type are undefined.
CHARACTERISTICS
ABOUT THE GRAPH OF
Function
AN f x  a x a > 1
EXPONENTIAL
1. Domain is all real numbers 1. Range is all real numbers
2.Range is positive real
numbers
3.There are no x intercepts
because there is no x value
that you can put in the
function to make it = 0
4.The y intercept is always
(0,1) because a 0 = 1
5.The graph is always
increasing
6.The x-axis (where y = 0) is
a horizontal asymptote for
x  -
Characteristics about the
Graph of a Log Function
f x  loga x where a > 1
2.Domain is positive real
numbers
3. There are no y intercepts
4.The x intercept is always
(1,0) (x’s and y’s trade places)
5.The graph is always
increasing
6.The y-axis (where x = 0) is
a vertical asymptote
Exponential Graph LOGARITHMIC
GRAPH

Graphs of
inverse
functions are
reflected about
the line y = x
Transformation of functions apply
to log functions just like they apply
to all other functions so let’s try a
couple.
up 2 F X 
LOG10 X
f x  2  log10 x
Reflect about x axis
f x  log10 x
left 1

f x  log10 x 1

 Remember our natural base “e”?
LOG 2.7182828
We can 1 on a log.
use that base

What exponent do you put

e on e to get 2.7182828?
ln
Since the log with this base occurs
ln 2.7182828  1 in nature frequently, it is called the
natural log and is abbreviated ln.

Your calculator knows how to find natural logs. Locate

the ln button on your calculator. Notice that it is the
same key that has ex above it. The calculator lists
functions and inverses using the same key but one of
them needing the 2nd (or inv) button.
 Another commonly used base is base 10.
A log to this base is called a common log.
Since it is common, if we don't write in the base on a log
it is understood to be base 10.

log100  2 What exponent do you put

on 10 to get 100?
1
log 3 What exponent do you put
on 10 to get 1/1000?
1000
This common log is used for things like the richter
scale for earthquakes and decibles for sound.
Your calculator knows how to find common logs.
Locate the log button on your calculator. Notice that it
is the same key that has 10x above it. Again, the
calculator lists functions and inverses using the same
key but one of them needing the 2nd (or inv) button.
The secret to solving log equations is to re-write the
log equation in exponential form and then solve.

LOG2 2X 1 Convert this to exponential form

 33 check:
2  2x 1  7 
log 2  2  1  3
8  2x 1  2 
7  2x log2 8  3
7
x This is true since 23 = 8
2