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Logarithmic Functions

College Algebra Presentation

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13 views20 pages

Logarithmic Functions

College Algebra Presentation

Uploaded by

obonilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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§3.3 Logarithmic Functions.

The student will learn about:


the logarithmic function,
its properties, and
applications.

1
Introduction
• In this section we introduce logarithmic
functions, emphasizing the natural
logarithm function.

• We then apply natural logarithms to a


wide variety of problems, from doubling
money under compound interest to
carbon 14 dating.
The Logarithmic Function
Definition. The inverse of an exponential
function is called a logarithmic function. That
is, where b > 0, and b ≠ 1;
if y = log b x , then b y = x .
The domain of the log function is the set of all
positive real numbers and the range of the log
function is the set of all positive real numbers.

3
Examples
If y = log b x , then b y = x

Log 3 9 = 2 Since 3 2 = 9
Log 2 16 = y, find y. So, y = 4.

Log 5 x = 3, find x. So, x = 125.


Log b 1/8 = -3, find b. So, b = 2.

4
Calculator Evaluation of Logarithms
Common logarithms: log x = log 10 x. Note that
log x = y is equivalent to x = 10 y and the inverse is
y = 10 x.

log 2 = 0.30103
log 12.345 = 1.09149
log 0.2001 = - 0.69875
Graph y = log x.
0 ≤ x ≤ 10 -5 ≤ y ≤ 3.
Try any of the above on your calculator if you wish.
5
Calculator Evaluation of Logarithms
Natural logarithms: ln x = log e x. Note that ln x = y is
equivalent to x = e y and the inverse is y = e x.

ln 2 = 0.69315
ln 12.345 = 2.51325
ln 0.2001 = - 1.60894
Graph y = ln x. 0 ≤ x ≤ 10 -5 ≤ y ≤ 2.

Try any of the above on your calculator if you wish.

6
Properties Of A Logarithmic Graph.
Unless shifted.
From the graph y = log x.
• Pass through (1, 0).
• The graph is continuous.
• The graph is asymptotic to the y axis.
• The graph passes through ( ... , (b –2, -2), (b –1, -1),
(b, 1), (b 2, 2), (b 3, 3), …) etc.
• If b > 1 (almost always true) the graph is increasing.
• If 0 < b < 1 the graph is decreasing.
7
Properties of Logarithmic Functions.
• log b 1 = 0.
• log b b = 1.
• log b b x = x. This is somewhat useful.
•

These four properties follow directly from the


definition of logarithm.

8
Properties of Logarithmic Functions.
• log b MN = log b M + log b N.

• log b M/N = log b M - log b N.

• log b MP = P · log b M.

These four properties are useful in solving logarithmic


equations.

9
Useful Information

This means that


Application - Doubling Your Money
After graduating from York College, Sam Spartan
landed a great job with Springettsbury Manufacturing,
Inc. His first year he bought a $5,000 Roth IRA and
invested it in a stock sensitive mutual fund that grows
at 10% a year.
How long will it take for that investment to double?
A = P e rt OR 10,000 = 5000 e 0.10t AND solve for t.
10000/5000 = e 0.10t or 2 = e 0.10t
But 0.10 t = ln 2 so t = ln 2/ .10 = 6.93 years
Remind the students of the “Rule of 72”.
11
Application 2
Page 121 #103. Using the formula, N = 10 log (I/I 0),
and the fact that I0 = 10 –16 watts/cm2, find the decibel
ratings of the following sounds:
a. Whisper: 10 –13 watts/cm2.
N = 10 log (I/I 0)

= 10 log 10 3 watts/cm2
= 30
12
Application 2 (continued)
Page 121 #103. Using the formula, N = 10 log (I/I 0),
and the fact that I0 = 10 –16 watts/cm2, find the decibel
ratings of the following sounds:
a. Normal conversation: 3.16 · 10 –10 watts/cm2.

= 10 log 3.16 · 10 6 watts/cm2


= 65
NOTE: There are many quantities in real life that
are related in a logarithmic manner.
13
Ears ringing all over campus
How loud is too loud?
Hearing loss occurs after eight hours of exposure to noises
over 85 decibels. The length of exposure is cut in half with each additional
three decibels. Any sound above 130 causes immediate harm.

Car horn
Jet engine
Conversation up close

Whisper

10 30 54 63 80 96 120 160

Library
reading
room Traffic at
George and Wiz Khalifa in
Leaves
Country Club concert.
rustling
14
Carbon 14 Dating
All living things absorb small amounts of
radioactive carbon 14 from the atmosphere.

When they die, the carbon 14 stops being absorbed


and decays exponentially into ordinary carbon.

Therefore, the proportion of carbon 14 still present


in a fossil or other ancient remain can be used to
estimate how old it is.
Carbon 14 Dating
The proportion of the original carbon 14
that will be present after t years is

Half-life
Application 3 – DATING BY CARBON 14
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in a cave near
the Dead Sea in what was then Jordan, are
among the earliest documents of Western
civilization. Estimate the age of the Dead Sea
Scrolls if the animal skins on which some were
written contain 78% of their original carbon 14.

Solution:
The proportion of carbon 14 remaining after t
years is e–0.00012t and is 78%.
Application 3 – Solution cont’d

We equate this formula to the actual proportion


(expressed as a decimal):
e–0.00012t = 0.78
Take the ln of each side.
ln e–0.00012t = ln 0.78
Simplify.
– 0.00012t = ln 0.78
Divide by – 0.00012.
≐ 2071 And solve..
Therefore, the Dead Sea Scrolls are
approximately 2070 years old.
Summary.
• We learned about the logarithmic function.
• We learned common logs base 10 and natural logs
base e.
• We learned about financial problems that involve
the logarithmic function.

• We learned about other problems that involve the


logarithmic function.

19
ASSIGNMENT

§3.4 on my website.
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

20

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