SH1902

Logarithmic Functions
I. Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

Logarithm is simply a special way of writing an exponent. Consider the exponential equation
𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑦𝑦, which is equivalent to the logarithmic equation log 𝑏𝑏 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 (read as log base 𝑏𝑏 of 𝑦𝑦
equals 𝑥𝑥). In the logarithmic equation, 𝑏𝑏 is called the base, 𝑦𝑦 is the argument, and 𝑥𝑥 is the
answer.

A logarithmic function is a function of the form

𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = log 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥
where 𝑏𝑏 is any number such that 𝑏𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 1. In this case, 𝑏𝑏 is called the base and 𝑥𝑥 is a
real number such that 𝑥𝑥 > 0.

A logarithmic function may be derived from its exponential counterpart.

Example:
Let 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) find 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) with the given equations.
a. 3𝑦𝑦−1 = 𝑥𝑥
b. 2𝑦𝑦+1 = 𝑥𝑥 + 1
c. √5𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥

Solution:

a.
3𝑦𝑦−1 = 𝑥𝑥 Given
𝑦𝑦 − 1 = log 3 𝑥𝑥 Definition of logarithm
𝑦𝑦 = log 3 𝑥𝑥 + 1 Add 1 to both sides

Therefore, 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = log 3 𝑥𝑥 + 1.

b.
2𝑦𝑦+1 = 𝑥𝑥 + 1 Given
𝑦𝑦 + 1 = log 2 (𝑥𝑥 + 1) Definition of logarithm
𝑦𝑦 = log 2 (𝑥𝑥 + 1) − 1 Subtract 1 from both sides

Therefore, 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = log 2 (𝑥𝑥 + 1) − 1.

c.
√5𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 Given
5𝑦𝑦/2 = 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚/𝑛𝑛 = √𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚
𝑦𝑦
= log 5 𝑥𝑥 Definition of logarithm
2
𝑦𝑦 = 2 log 5 𝑥𝑥 Multiply both sides by 2

Therefore, 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 2 log 5 𝑥𝑥.

05 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 1 of 3
 SH1902

Logarithmic equations are equations in which variables occur as arguments. Similarly,

logarithmic inequalities are inequalities in which variables occur as arguments.

Examples:
Logarithmic Equations Logarithmic Inequalities
log10 𝑥𝑥 = 1 log10 𝑥𝑥 < 1
log 2 (𝑥𝑥 + 1) = 2 log 2 (𝑥𝑥 + 1) > 2
log 3 𝑥𝑥 = 3 log 3 𝑥𝑥 ≤ 3
log 4 𝑥𝑥 = 25 log 4 𝑥𝑥 ≥ 25

II. Basic Properties of Logarithms

Let 𝑏𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 1. Let 𝑀𝑀, 𝑁𝑁 > 0. The following are properties of logarithm.

Properties Example
1. Product property
log 2 6 = log 2 3 + log 2 2
log 𝑏𝑏 (𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀) = log 𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀 + log 𝑏𝑏 𝑁𝑁

2. Quotient property

𝑀𝑀 30 = 1
log 𝑏𝑏 � � = log 𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀 − log 𝑏𝑏 𝑁𝑁
𝑁𝑁

3. Power property
1
𝑛𝑛
log 𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀 = 𝑛𝑛 log 𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀 4−1 =
4

4. log 𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 = 1 log100 100 = 1

5. log 𝑏𝑏 1 = 0 log100 1 = 0

Simplifying Logarithmic Equations

Example:
Simplify the expressions on the list.
a. log 3 15 − log 3 5
b. log 2 4 + log 2 3
c. 1 − 2 log 2 5

05 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 2 of 3
 SH1902

Solution:
a.
log 3 15 − log 3 5 Given
15
log 3 � � Quotient property
5
15
log 3 3 =3
5
1 log 𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 = 1

Therefore, log 3 15 − log 3 5 = 1.

b.
log 2 4 + log 2 3 Given
log 2 (4 ⋅ 3) Product property
log 2 12 4 ⋅ 3 = 12

Therefore, log 2 4 + log 2 3 = log 2 12.

c.
1 − 2 log 2 5 Given
1 − log 2 (52 ) Power property
1 − log 2 25 52 = 25
log 2 2 − log 2 25 log 𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏 = 1
2
log 2 � � Quotient property
25
2
Therefore, 1 − 2 log 2 5 = log 2 �25�.

III. Laws of Logarithmic Functions

Another way of rewriting a logarithmic function is the change of base rule for logarithms.

Consider 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = log 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥 for some 𝑏𝑏 > 0, 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 1. The change of base rule states that given a new
base 𝑑𝑑 > 0, 𝑑𝑑 ≠ 1, we can rewrite the function as
log 𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = .
log 𝑑𝑑 𝑏𝑏

References:
Chua, R., Ubarro, A., & Wu, Z. (2016). Soaring 21st century mathematics (general mathematics). Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House.
Domain and range of exponential and logarithmic functions. (n.d.). In Varsity Tutors. Retrieved from
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/domain-and-range-of-exponential-and-logarithmic-functions
Fernando, O. (2016) Next century mathematics (general mathematics). Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House.
Lim, Y., Nocon E., Nocon, R., & Ruivivar L. (2016). Math for engaged learning (general mathematics). Quezon City: Sibs Publishing
House.
Melosantos, L. (2016). Math connections in the digital age (general mathematics). Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House.
Zorilla, R. (2016). General mathematics for senior high school. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House.

05 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 3 of 3