11

General
Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 6:
Logarithmic Functions
 What I Know
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

2 E
1. Given the formula R= log 4.40 , what is the magnitude in the Richter scale of an earthquake that
3 10
released 1016 joules of energy?
A. 7.5 B. 7.7 C. 5.7 D. 7.6
2. What is the inverse of the exponential function?
A. Linear function C. Quadratic function
B. Polynomial function D. Logarithmic function
3. Grunting while hitting the ball has become a controversial issue in professional tennis. Some people
are concerned that such loud sounds are unfair distractions to the opposing player. Serena Williams’s
−4 w
grunts have been measured at a sound intensity of 6.31 ∙10 . What is the relative intensity of the
m2
sound in decibels?
A. 83 decibels B. 85 decibels C. 88 decibels D. 90 decibels
4. Determine the value of x if log7 x = 2

A. 14 B. C. 49 D.
5. The magnitude in the Richter scale of an earthquake that released 10 12 joules of energy is 5.06. How much
more energy does this earthquake release than that of the reference earthquake?
A. 39810720 times B. 39810718 times C. 39810717 times D. 39810719 times
6-10. Determine whether the given is logarithmic equation, logarithmic inequality and logarithmic function.
6. log2 4 = x
7. f(x) = log x
8. g(x) = –log (x – 3)
9. logx 2 = 4
10. log9 (x2 − 4x) > log9(3x − 10)
11. Solve for the value of x in the logarithmic equation log 4 2x= log410.
A. x=5 B. x=.2 C. x=20 D. x= 8

12. In the logarithmic equation log4 =x, then x would be?

A. 4 B. 2 C. 1 D. -1/2
13. Applying one to one property which of the following is equivalent to 2 x = 5
A. log2x = 5 B. log5=2x C. log2 x = log5 D. x = 5 2
14. Find the value of x in the logarithmic inequality log 4(x+7)>3.
A. x<57 B. x>57 C. x<54 D. x>55
15. If log5(3x+2)<log5(2x+5), what is the solution in interval notation?
A.(-2/3 < x < 3) B.(3<x<2/3) C. (2/3<x<3) D. none of these

Lesson 1 Fundamental of Logarithmic Functions: Applying Real-life Situations

Logarithmic functions are very much essential to every sphere of human life. Especially, in solving
exponential equations. Some examples of this include sound (decibel measures), earthquakes (Richter scale),
and chemistry (pH balance, a measure of acidity and alkalinity).

What’s In
In the previous module, you have learned about inverse functions. Recall that when the domain of one
function is the range and the range is the domain of the other, then they are inverses. Remember also that to
determine the inverse of a function given an equation, you have to interchange x and y then solve for y. Look
at the illustration below on how to find the inverse of the exponential function, y = a x.

Exponential Function Inverse function y = ax x = ay

You will notice that the inverse of the exponential function shows that “y is the exponent to which the
base a is raised in order to obtain the power x”.

The inverse of the exponential function above is called logarithmic

function. The function is defined by the equation

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 The equation of a logarithmic function is read as “y is the logarithm of x to the base a”. Take note
that in the notation, a is the base, x is the power and y is the exponent to which a is raised in order to
obtain x.

What’s New

To help you understand logarithmic functions, do the given activity.

An amoeba multiplies by dividing. That is, if it has grown to a certain size, that single cell divides in
half to produce two amoebas. In a day, those two amoebas are ready to divide and form four amoebas. At the
end of the seventh day, how many amoebas will be formed? Enter your answer in the table below.
Time(in days) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Number of amoebas

Questions:
(a) At the end of the seventh day, how many amoebas will be formed?
(b) What pattern can be observed from the data?
(c) Define a formula for the number of amoebas as a function of the time that has passed.
Answers:
Time(in days) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Number of amoebas 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128

It can be observed that as the time (in days) increases by 1, the number of amoeba doubles. The formula for
the given table is
y(x) = 2x
where y represents a number in the geometric sequence and x represents the logarithm of y.
Note: The logarithm, x, is the exponent of 2. For example, the logarithm of 32 is 5 because 32 = 2 5, the
logarithm of 16 is 4 because 16 = 24, and so on.

Logarithmic Function
Definition
Let a, b, and c be positive real numbers such that b ≠ 1. The logarithm of a with base b is denoted
by 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏a, and is defined as
c = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑎 if and only if 𝑎 = bc

What is It

Definition: Common logarithms are logarithms with base 10; log x is a short notation for log 10x.
Example 1: Consider the following:
log10 10 = log 10 = 1 because 101 = 10
log10 100 = log 100 = 2 because 102 = 100
log10 1000 = log 1000 = 3 because 103 = 1000
log10 1 = log 1 = 0 because 100 = 1
Definition: Natural logarithms are logarithms to the base 𝑒 (approximately 2.71828), and are denoted by
“ln”. In other words, lnx is another way of writing log ex.

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Example 2: The natural logarithmic function is defined as 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 f and only if 𝑒𝑥 = 𝑦 Since the base of the
natural logarithmic function is e, we choose the x values to be powers of e, so that the y values may be easily
computed.
Example 3. Rewrite the following exponential equations in logarithmic form, whenever possible.

1. 53 = 125 2. (0.1)-4 = 10000 3. (2/3)2 = 4/9 4. e2= x 5. (-2)2=4

Solution.
1. log5125 = 3 2. log 0.110000 = –4 3. log 2/3(4/9) =2 4. lnx = 2 5. cannot be written in logarithmic form
Example 4. Rewrite the following logarithmic equations in exponential form.
1. log m = n 2. log4 2 = ½ 3. ln8 = a 4. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (64/27) = –3 5. log 0.001 = –3
Solution.
1. 10n = m 2. 4 = 2 3. ea = 8 4. (3/4)-3 = 64/27 5. 10-3= 0.001
Example 5. Find the value of the following logarithmic expressions.

1. log232 2. log9729 3. log 0.001 4.

log 1 16
2
Solution.
(1) What exponent of 2 will give 32? Answer: 5
(2) What exponent of 9 will give 729? Answer: 3
(3) What exponent of 10 will give 0.001? Answer: -3
(4) What exponent of 1/2 will give 16? Answer: −4
Applications. Some of the most common applications in real-life of logarithms are the Richter scale, sound
intensity, and pH level.

The Richter scale. In 1935, Charles Richter proposed a logarithmic scale to measure the intensity of an
earthquake. He defined the magnitude of an earthquake as a function of its amplitude on a standard
seismograph. The following formula produces the same results, but is based on the energy released by an
earthquake.

The formula indicates that the magnitude of an earthquake is based on the logarithm of the ratio between the
energy it releases and the energy released by the reference earthquake.

Example 6. Suppose that an earthquake released approximately 1012 joules of energy.

(a) What is its magnitude on a Richter scale?
(b) How much more energy does this earthquake release than the reference earthquake?

Sound Intensity
I
In acoustics, the decibel (dB) level of a sound is D = 10 log where I is the sound intensity in
10−12
watts/m2 (the quantity 10-12 watts/m2 is least audible sound a human can hear).

Example 7. The decibel level of sound in a quiet office is 10 -6watts/m2.

(a) What is the corresponding sound intensity in decibels?
(b) How much more intense is this sound than the least audible sound a human can hear?

Solution.

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 Definition:

Acidity and the pH scale

The pH level of a water-based solution is defined as pH = – log[H+],

where [H+] is the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter. Solutions with a pH of 7 are
defined neutral; those with pH < 7 are acidic, and those with pH > 7 are basic.

Example 8. A 1-liter solution contains 0.00001 moles of hydrogen ions. Determine its pH level.
Solution.

Since there are 0.00001 moles of hydrogen ions in 1 liter, then the concentration of hydrogen ions is 10 -5
moles per liter.

The pH level is –log 10 -5. log 10-5 Since log 10-5 is the exponent by which 10 must be raised to obtain 10 -5, then
log 10-5 = –5.

Therefore, pH = –log 10–5 = – (–5) = 5.

What’s More

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Activity 1. Guess What?
Read and analyze carefully the statements below. Put a check mark that corresponds to the correct answer.

Entry Card

Tell whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE TRUE FALSE

1. The equation a5 = 3 is equivalent to loga3 = 5.
2. log64 8 = 2
3. The inverse of y = x – 1 is y = x + 1
4. If 2x = 64, then x = 6.
5. log10 (0) = 0
6. log10 (-10) = 0
7. A logarithm is an exponent.

Activity 2. Complete Me
Complete the following table by rewriting the given exponential expressions to logarithmic form whenever
possible and/or vice versa.

Activity 3. Think of Me! Determine the value of the following logarithmic expressions.

7. log3 81 8. log169 13 9. log5 10. log3

Activity 4. Applications in real-life of logarithms

Apply your learnings on logarithmic functions to answer the following situations:
1. What is the magnitude in the Richter scale of an earthquake that released 10 14 joules of energy? How much
more energy does this earthquake release than that of the reference earthquake?
2. Suppose the intensity of sound of a jet during takeoff is 100 watts/m 2. What is the corresponding sound
intensity in decibels? How much more intense is this sound than the least audible sound a human can hear?

Lesson 2 Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

What’s New
Take a look at the following examples below.

In the logarithmic equation, there is always an (=) equal sign. In logarithmic inequality, consider these
signs: ( >, < , ≥ , ≤ ) these are also known as less than, greater than, less than equal, and greater than equal
signs. In logarithmic function consider the following involve in the given: f(x), g(x), or y and any letter with (x).
A variable that needs to be found before a solution.

What is It

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The definitions of exponential equations, inequalities, and functions are shown below.
Logarithmic Equation Logarithmic
Logarithmic Function
Inequality
Definition An equation involving An inequality involving Function of the form
logarithms. logarithms. f(x) = log b x (b > 0, b ≠ 1).
Example log𝑥 2 = 4 In x > (In x)
2 2
g(x) = log3 𝑥

A logarithmic equation or inequality can be solved for all x values that satisfy the equation or
inequality. A logarithmic function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and y), and can be
represented by a table of values or a graph.

What’s More
True or False?
Activity 1 Write T if the statement is TRUE and F if the statement is FALSE.
1. log 𝑥2 = 2 is a logarithmic equation
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 log4 𝑥 an example of logarithmic function

3. log 1 ( 5 x−1 ) ≥ 0 is a logarithmic inequality

5
4. 𝑔(𝑥) = log0.25 𝑥 and 𝑓(𝑥) = log0.25 𝑥 are NOT examples of logarithmic function

5. log5(3 − 2𝑥) ≥ log5 4𝑥 + 1 is NOT a logarithmic inequality

Tell Me!
Activity 2 Determine whether the given statement is a logarithmic equation, logarithmic inequality, or logarithmic
function.
6. 𝑔(𝑥) = log5 𝑥
7. log3(2𝑥 − 1) = 2
8. 𝑓(𝑥) = log (𝑥 − 1)
9. y = 5 − log8 𝑥
10. 𝑥 log2(𝑥 − 1) > 0

Lesson 3 LOGARITHMIC EQUATION AND INEQUALITIES

What is It
Logarithmic Equation and Inequalities
A logarithmic equation is an equation containing a variable in a logarithmic expression . Examples of
logarithmic equations are log 3(x-4)=9 , log5(x+7)=3 and ln3x=5.If a logarithmic equation is in the form of
logbx=c, we can solve the equation by rewriting it in its equivalent exponent b c = x.
A logarithmic inequality is an inequality that involves logarithm. Examples of logarithmic inequalities
are log5x>4, log3≥6, and log2(3x+2)<log2x. Logarithmic inequalities can be often be solved just by using the fact
that
• logax>y is the same as x>ay or log ax<y is the same as x<ay
• If logac>logad, then c>d.

These two statements hold true regardless of the inequality sign. It also important to note that it
is only possible to take the logarithm of a positive number. The solution to a logarithmic inequality can be
written in interval notation.
Example 1. Find the value of x in the following logarithmic equations.
a.log5x=4
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Solution. log5x=4
x = 54 (change into exponential form)

x=625

b. logx36=2

Solution. logx36=2
x2 = 36 (change into exponential form)

x2 – 36 = 0
(x+6)(x-6)=0 (factoring difference of two squares)
x= 6, -6
-6 is not defined in the given logarithmic equation since the base cannot be negative.

c.log2x + log2(x-6) = 4

Solution. log2x + log2(x-6) = 4

log2x(x-6) = 4 (applying law of logarithm)

x(x-6) = 24 (change into exponential form)

x2-6x = 16 (distributive property)

x2-6x – 16 = 0 (subtract 16 both sides)

(x-8)(x+2)= 0 (factor)

X=8,-2

EXAMPLE 2.

Research indicates that the risk of having a car accident increases exponentially as the concentration
of alcohol in the blood increases. This is modeled by the formula
A = 6e12.75x
where x is the blood alcohol concentration and A, given as a percent, is the car accident risk. What blood
alcohol concentration corresponds to a 20% risk of a car accident?
Solution. Let A =20 in the equation and solve for x, the blood alcohol concentration.

Example 3. Solve each logarithmic inequality.

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 What’s More
Practice and Application

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Grunting while hitting the ball has become a controversial issue in professional tennis. Some people are
concerned that such loud sounds are unfair distractions to the opposing player. Serena Williams’s grunts
−4 w
have been measured at a sound intensity of 6.31 ∙10 . What is the relative intensity of the sound in
m2
decibels?
A. 83 decibels B. 85 decibels C. 88 decibels D. 90 decibels
2. What is the inverse of the exponential function?
A. Linear function B. Polynomial function C. Quadratic function D. Logarithmic function
3. The magnitude in the Richter scale of an earthquake that released 10 joules of energy is 5.06. How much
12

more energy does this earthquake release than that of the reference earthquake?
A. 39810720 times B. 39810718 times C. 39810717 times D. 39810719 times
1
4. Which of the following is equivalent to = 5?
125 3
log 1 1
A. log1255 = B. log5125 = C. 3 15 = 125 D. log5 3 = 125

5. The magnitude in the Richter scale of an earthquake that released 10 12 joules of energy is 5.06. How much
more energy does this earthquake release than that of the reference earthquake?
A. 39810720 times B. 39810718 times C. 39810717 times D. 39810719 times
6. Which of the following is NOT a logarithmic equation?
A. log2 32 = 3𝑥 B. log4(5𝑥 + 1) = 2 C. log𝑥−2(10 − 3𝑥) < 2 D. log4(3𝑥 − 1) = log4(2𝑥 + 3)
7. What is the symbol used by logarithmic inequality?
A. > B. ≤ C. < D. All of the above
Use the choices below to answer the questions numbers 8 to 10.

8. Which of the following is an example of a logarithmic function?

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9. Example of the logarithmic equation.

10. The example of logarithmic inequality.

11. Which of the following equation is equivalent to log 3x=4?

A. 3x = 4 B. 34 = x C.x3 = 4 D. x3 = 2
12. Solve for the value of x in the logarithmic equation log 8 4x= log812.
A. x=5 B. x=4 C. x=3 D. x= 2
13. Which of the following is a solution to the logarithmic inequality log 5x ≥3.
A. x>125 B. x<125 C. x≥125 D. x=125
14. Find the value of x in the logarithmic inequality log 4(x+7)>3.
A. 52 B. 53 C. 54 D.57
15.If log5(3x+2)<log5(2x+5),what is the solution in interval notation?
A. (-2/3 < x < 3) B. (3<x<2/3) C. (2/3<x<3) D. none of these

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