New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Supplementary Examples & Exercise on Logarithmic Transformation

[Find the unknowns in a relation of the form y = abx]

Example 1 Level 1
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log y. The graph
passes through (3 , 1) and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 2. It is
given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values
◄ Theof a and
graph b. through
passes
(3 , 1) and (0 , 2).

Solution
y  ab x
(a)
log y  log ( ab x )
log y  log a  log b◄x Take common logarithm on both sides.
log y  log a  x log b

(b) Method 1: Method 2:

When x = 0, log y = 2.
Key 2  log a  (0) log b
log a  2

(i) y=mx+c a  10 2
Slope Intercept on the  100
vertical axis
∴ log y = 2 + x log b
log y  x log b  log a When x = 3, log y = 1.
 1  2  3 log b
(ii) Do not regard a in y = abx as the slope of the straight line 3 log b  3
log b  1
shown in the figure.
b  10 1
1

10

Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph = 2

log a = 2
a = 102 Key
Every point on the given graph satisfies the
= 100 linear relation between x and log y.

Slope of the graph =  1  2

30

log b = 1
b = 101

= 1
10

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60i

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Note: The relation between x and log y is linear, but the relation between x and y is not.

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60j

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions
◄ n0 = 1

Instant Drill 1
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log y. The graph
passes through (4 , 2) and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 1. It is
given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values of a and b.
(Give the answers correct to 3 significant figures if necessary.)

Exercise | 1–4 Public Exam Ref: Supp Ex| 67, 70

[Sketch a graph in a relation of the form y = mnx]

Example 2 Level 1
The figure shows the graph of y = mnx, where m and n are constants.
(a) Find the value of m. Hence, express log3 y in terms of n and x.
(b) Sketch a graph of log3 y against x.

Solution
(a) y = mnx (b) From the figure, n > 1.
When x = 0, y = 9. ∴ log3 n > log3 1
9 = mn0 log3 n > 0
m=9 Slope of the required graph = log3 n > 0
∴ y = 9nx Intercept on the vertical axis of
log3 y = log3 (9nx) the required graph = 2
log3 y = log3 9 + log3 nx The graph is sketched as follows:
log3 y = log3 32 + x log3 n
log 3 y  2  x log 3 n

Instant Drill 2
The figure shows the graph of y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the value of a. Hence, express log4 y in terms of b and x.
(b) Sketch a graph of log4 y against x.

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60k

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Exercise | 5, 6 Public Exam Ref: Supp Ex| 71

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60l

 ◄ Use the two-point form.
New Century Mathematics (i) Horizontal
(Second axis:
Edition) log24B
Book x Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions
(ii) Vertical axis: log2 y
(iii) The graph passes through
(–2 , of
[Find the unknowns in a relation 0) the
and form
(0 , 3).y = axb]
Example 3 Level 1
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 2 x and log2 y. The
intercepts on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis of the graph are 2 and 3
respectively. It is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants. Find the values of
a and b.

Solution
Method 1: Method 2:
y  ax b
log2 y  0 3 0
=
log 2 y  log 2 ( ax b ) log 2 x  ( 2) 0  ( 2)
log 2 y  log 2 a  log 2 x b log2 y 3
=
log 2 y  log 2 a  b log 2 x log2 x  2 2
Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph = 3 3
log2 y = log2 x + 3
2
log2 a = 3
3
a = 23 log2 y = log x 2 + log2 23
2

=8 3
log2 y = log (8 x 2 )
2
3 0
Slope of the graph = 3
0  ( 2) y=
8x 2
3
b= 3
2 ∴ a = 8, b =
2

Instant Drill 3
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 3 x and log3 y. The
graph passes through (4 , 1) and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is
3. It is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants. Find the values of a and b.

Exercise | 7–10 Public Exam Ref: Supp Ex| 69

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60m

 ◄ Use the slope-intercept form.
(i) Horizontal
New Century Mathematics axis: logBook
(Second Edition) 9 x
4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions
(ii) Vertical axis: log3 y
4
[Solve a problem in(iii) Slope: of the form y = kxn]
a relation 3
Example 4 Level(iv)
2 Intercept on the vertical axis: 4
◄
The total cost $y of producing xlog
electronic components can be expressed by y = kxn,
b x
loga x 
where k and n are constants. Theb a
log graph in the figure shows the linear relation
◄
between log9 x and log3 y. The slope 1and the intercept on the vertical axis of the
◄
4 log9 3  3log
32 9 9 2
graph are andlog 39  log
4 respectively.
3
2 1
(a) Find the values of k and n. 2
(b) Find the total cost of producing 8 000 electronic components.
(c) Is it possible to produce 350 electronic components with a budget of $4 000?
Explain your answer.

Solution
(a) Method 1: Method 2:
y  kx n
4
log 3 y  log 3 ( kx n ) log 3 y  log 9 x  4
3
log 3 y  log 3 k  log 3 x n 4

log 3 y  log 3 k  n log 3 x log 3 y  log 9 x3  log 9 9 4

4
 log 9 x 
log 3 y  log 3 k  n   log 3 y  log 9 (9 4
x3 )
 log 9 3  4
  log 3 4 3
(9 x ) ◄
 log x  log 3 y 
log 3 y  log 3 k  n  9  log 3 9
 1 
  4
 2  1
log 3 y  log 3 (9 4 x 3 )
log 3 y  log 3 k  2n log 9 x 2
4 1
Intercept on the vertical log 3 y  log 3 (9 4 x 3 ) 2
axis of the graph = 4 2
log 3 y  log 3 (81x 3 )
log3 k = 4
k = 34 ∴ 2
y  81x 3
= 81
4 ∴ k = 81, n = 2
Slope of the graph =
3 3
4
2n =
3
2
n=
3

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

2
(b) When x = 8 000, y = 81 (8 000) 3
= 32 400
∴ The total cost of producing 8 000 electronic components is $32 400.
2
(c) When y = 4 000, 4 000 =
81x 3
2 4 000
x3 = 81
3

x =  4 000  2
 81 
= 347, cor. to the nearest integer
∵ Only 347 electronic components can be produced with a budget of $4 000.
∴ It is not possible to produce 350 electronic components with a budget of $4 000.
Alternative Method:
2
When x = 350, y = 81 (350) 3
= 4 023, cor. to the nearest integer
∵ The total cost of producing 350 electronic components is $4 023, and $4 023 > $4 000.
∴ It is not possible to produce 350 electronic components with a budget of $4 000.

Instant Drill 4
In a train system, when the number of journeys served by a train is x, the average
cost $y of each journey can be expressed by y = kxn, where k and n are constants.
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 5 x and log25 y. The
2
slope and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph are  and 5
5
respectively.
(a) Find the values of k and n.
(b) If the average cost of each journey of the train is $50 000, find the number of
journeys served by the train.
(Give the answer correct to the nearest integer.)
(c) Due to safety reasons, the number of journeys served by the train cannot be
more than 3 000. Can the average cost of each journey of the train be less than
$15 000? Explain your answer.
Exercise | 19, 20

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60o

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Exercise
[In this exercise, give the answers correct to 3 significant figures if necessary.]

Level 1

1. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log y. The
slope and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph are 1 and 3
respectively. It is given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values of a and b. Example 1

2. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log y. The
1
slope and the intercept on the horizontal axis of the graph are  and 2
4
respectively. It is given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values of a and b.

3. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log3 y. It is
given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log3 y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values of a and b.

4. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log4 y. It is
given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Express log4 y in terms of a, b and x.
(b) Hence, find the values of a and b.
(c) Find the value of y when x = 3.

5. The figure shows the graph of y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the value of a. Hence, express log6 y in terms of b and x.
(b) Sketch a graph of log6 y against x. Example 2

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60p

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

6. The figure shows the graph of y = mnx, where m and n are constants.
(a) Find the value of m. Hence, express log8 y in terms of n and x.
(b) Sketch a graph of log8 y against x.

7. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 5 x and log5 y.
The slope and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph are 1 and 4
respectively. It is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants. Find the
values of a and b. Example 3

8. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 2 x and log2 y.
5
The slope and the intercept on the horizontal axis of the graph are  and
3
3
respectively. It is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants. Find the
values of a and b.

9. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log x and log y. It is
given that y = axb, where a and b are constants. Find the values of a and b.

10. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 9 x and log9 y. It
is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 16.

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60q

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Level 2

11. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log2 y. It is
given that y = abx, where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 2.
(c) Find the value of x when y = 64.

12. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 5 x and log5 y,
where x > 0. It is given that y = axb, where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Find the value of x when y = 125.
(c) If x increases by 10%, find the percentage increase in y.

13. In the figure, the graph of the straight line log4 y = k log4 x + n passes through
(4 , 3), where k and n are constants. The intercept on the horizontal axis of
the graph is 2.
(a) Find the values of k and n.
(b) Express y in terms of x.
(c) Karl claims that y is halved when x is doubled. Do you agree? Explain
your answer.

14. The value P (in million dollars) of a flat after t years can be represented by the
following formula:
P = knt, where k and n are constants.
The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between t and log7 P.
(a) Find the values of k and n.
(b) Can the value of the flat be less than 7 million dollars? Explain your
answer.
(c) If the value of the flat in a certain year is more than 9 million dollars, the
owner will sell the flat. When will the owner sell the flat?

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

15. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between x and log 3 y. It is
given that y = mnx, where m and n are constants. Jasmine claims that both m
and n are less than 1. Do you agree? Explain your answer.

16. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 36 x and log6 y.
The inclination of the graph is 45. It is given that y = kxp, where k and p are
constants. Determine whether each of the following is true. Explain your
answers.
(a) k > 1
(b) p = 1

17. In Fig. I, the graph of y = mnx cuts the y-axis at (0 , 2), where m and n are
constants. The graph in Fig. II shows the linear relation between x and log4 y.
The intercept on the horizontal axis of the graph in Fig. II is 1.

Fig. I Fig. II
(a) Find the value of m.
(b) Find the value of n.
(c) Sketch a graph of log16 y against x.

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60s

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

18. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation between log 8 x and log4 y.
3 5
The slope and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph are  and
4 2
b
respectively. It is given that y = ax , where a and b are constants.
(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Find the value of y when x = 16.
(c) Find the value of x when y = 64.

19. In a laboratory, the amount of suspended particulate t hours after the start of
an experiment is N units. A researcher finds that the amount can be expressed
by N = ktr, where k and r are constants. The graph in the figure shows the
linear relation between log9 t and log27 N.
(a) Find the values of k and r.
(b) Find the amount of suspended particulate 5 hours after the start of the
experiment.
(c) The amount of suspended particulate exceeds 7 units p hours after the
start of the experiment. Find the minimum integral value of p.
Example 4

20. In a factory, when x toys are produced, the average production cost $C of each
toy can be expressed by C = kxn, where k and n are constants. The graph in the
figure shows the linear relation between log4 x and log2 C. The slope and the
intercept on the vertical axis of the graph are 1 and 6 respectively.
(a) Find the values of k and n.
(b) Find the average production cost of each toy when 200 toys are produced.
(c) Is it possible that the average production cost of each toy is less than $2
when 1 000 toys are produced? Explain your answer.

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60t

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) Book 4B Chapter 8 Logarithmic Functions

Answers
Instant Drill 12. (a) a = 5, b = 2
1 (a) log y = log a + x log b (b) 5
1 (c) 21%
(b) a = , b = 5.62
10 1
1 1 13. (a) k =  , n = –1
2 (a) a = , log4 y =  + x log4 b 2
2 2 1
3 a=
1
, b = 1 (b) y  1
27 4x 2
4 (c) no
4 (a) k = 9 765 625, n = 
5
14. (a) k = 7, n = 1.04
(b) 730
(b) no
(c) no
(c) after 7 years
15. yes
Exercise
16. (a) yes
1. (a) log y = log a + x log b
(b) no
(b) a = 1 000, b = 10
17. (a) 2
2. (a) log y = log a + x log b
1
(b) a = 0.316, b = 0.562 (b)
2
3. (a) log3 y = log3 a + x log3 b 1
18. (a) a = 32, b = 
(b) a = 2.28, b = 0.253 2
(b) 8
4. (a) log4 y = log4 a + x log4 b
1
1 (c)
(b) a = , b = 16 4
64
1
(c) 64 19. (a) k = 3, r =
3
1
5. (a) a = , log6 y = 1 + x log6 b (b) 5.13 units
6
2 (c) 13
6. (a) m = 4, log8 y = + x log8 n 1
3 20. (a) k = 64, n = 
1 2
7. a = ,b=1
625 (b) $4.53
1 5 (c) no
8. a = ,b=
32 3
1
9. a = 100, b = 
3
10. (a) a = 27, b =
3
2
(b) 1 728
1
11. (a) a = 64, b =
8
(b) 4 096
(c) 0

© Oxford University Press 2014 P.T8.60u