Logarithmic Functions

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 log 416 = 2

Convert to exponential form:
−31
1
log 2 = −3 2 =
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
2 =
1 radicals as rational exponents.
log 3
log 33 3
2 What exponent do you put on the base of
3 to get 3 to the 1/2? (hint: think rational)
Example 1
Solve for x: log 6 x = 2
Solution:
Let’s rewrite the problem in
exponential form.
6 =x
2
We’re finished !
Example 2
1
Solve for y: log 5 =y
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
2
Evaluate: log7 7
Solution:
log7 7 = y
2
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
log 4 16
Evaluate: 4
Solution:
4 log 4 16
=y 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 2 = 8 converts to log2 8 = 3
3
y = 16
Finally, we want to take a look at
the Property of Equality for
Logarithmic Functions.
Suppose b > 0 and b ≠ 1.

Then logb x1 = log b x 2 if and only if x1 = x 2
Basically, with logarithmic functions,

if the bases match on both sides of the equal
sign , then simply set the arguments equal.
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 −14) = log8 (5x)

2
Solve:
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
Solve: log8 (x −14) = log8 (5x)

2
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.
Our final concern then is to
determine why logarithms like
the one below are undefined.
log 2 (−8)
Can anyone give us
an explanation ?
log 2 (−8) = undefined WHY?
One easy explanation is to simply rewrite this

logarithm in exponential form.
We’ll then see why a negative value is not
permitted.
log 2 (−8) = y First, we write the problem with a variable.
2 =−8y
Now take it out of the logarithmic form
and write it in exponential form.
What power of 2 would gives us -8 ?

1
2 = 8 and 2 =
3 −3
8
Hence expressions of this type are undefined.
Characteristics about the Characteristics about the
Graph of an Exponential Graph of a Log Function
Function f ( x ) = a x a > 1 f ( x ) = log a x where a > 1
1. Domain is all real numbers 1. Range is all real numbers
2. Range is positive real 2. Domain is positive real
numbers numbers
3. There are no x intercepts 3. There are no y intercepts
because there is no x value
that you can put in the
function to make it = 0
4. The y intercept is always 4. The x intercept is always
(0,1) because a 0 = 1 (1,0) (x’s and y’s trade places)
5. The graph is always 5. The graph is always
increasing increasing
6. The x-axis (where y = 0) is 6. The y-axis (where x = 0) is
a horizontal asymptote for a vertical asymptote
x→ -∞
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”?
We can use that base on a log.
log e 2.7182828 = 1 What exponent do you put

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.
What exponent do you put

log 100 = 2 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.
log 2 ( 2 x + 1) = 3 Convert this to exponential form
check:
2 = 2x +1
3
 7 
log 2  2  + 1 = 3
8 = 2x +1  2 
7 = 2x log 2 ( 8) = 3
7
=x This is true since 23 = 8
2

Logarithmic Functions

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Logarithmic

y = logax if and only if x = a y

Convert to log form: 16 = 4 2 log 416 = 2

This is asking for an exponent. What

Solution: Rewrite the problem in

Evaluate log3 27.

log3 27 = y Now rewrite in exponential form.

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

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

Suppose b > 0 and b ≠ 1.

Basically, with logarithmic functions,

Solve: log3 (4x +10) = log3 (x +1)

log8 (x −14) = log8 (5x)

Solve: log8 (x −14) = log8 (5x)

One easy explanation is to simply rewrite this

log 2 (−8) = y First, we write the problem with a variable.

What power of 2 would gives us -8 ?

log e 2.7182828 = 1 What exponent do you put

Your calculator knows how to find natural logs. Locate

What exponent do you put

log 2 ( 2 x + 1) = 3 Convert this to exponential form

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