16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

As I’ve mentioned a few different times while covering recent lessons,

exponential functions and logarithmic functions are both one-to-one
functions, so both have inverse functions. The inverse of an exponential
function is a logarithmic function, and the inverse of a logarithmic
function is an exponential function. So when finding the inverse of an
exponential function such 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 , we simply convert that exponential
function to a logarithmic function.

𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥

𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = log 2 (𝑥 )

Remember that the inverse of a function switches the inputs and outputs,
so the domain of an exponential function is the same as the range of a
logarithmic function, and the range of an exponential function is the same
as the domain of a logarithmic function.

𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 Domain of 𝑓: (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝑓: (0, ∞)

(𝑥 can be any real number, but taking 2 to the power of 𝑥 only produces positive outputs)

𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = log 2 (𝑥 ) Domain of 𝑓 −1 : (0, ∞) Range of 𝑓 −1 : (−∞, ∞)

(𝑥 must be positive only, but the outputs can be any real values)

Example 1: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 2 (𝑥 ).

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
When finding the inverse
−𝟏 (
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 (𝒙) 𝒇 𝒙) = of an exponential or
logarithmic function, we
are basically just
converting from one
form to the other. Later
Domain of 𝒇: Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : we’ll see examples where
we need to add, subtract,
multiply, and/or divide to
move other terms and/or
factors around, but with
Range of 𝒇: Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : exponentials and logs we
basically just convert
from one form to the
other.

1
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 2: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log(𝑥 ) + 5.

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
a.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝒙) + 𝟓

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument 𝑥 must be positive only

(D: (0, ∞)) but the output log(𝑥 ) + 5 can be any real number
(R: (−∞, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇: (𝟎, ∞) Range of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.
a.
𝑓 = log10 (𝑥 ) + 5 Remember that a logarithm is simply an exponent. log10 (𝑥) represents the
exponent that makes the base 10 equal to the argument 𝑥. Since 𝑓 − 5 is
b. equal to log10 (𝑥), it is the exponent that makes 10 equal to 𝑥, so that’s why
𝑓 − 5 = log10 (𝑥 ) we convert to 10𝑓−5 = 𝑥. Keep in mind that whenever you start with a
logarithmic function, you will ALWAYS end up with an inverse that is an
c. exponential function. The opposite is also true; anytime you have an
𝑓−5
10 =𝑥 exponential function, its inverse will ALWAYS be a logarithmic function.
d.
To undo + 5, we subtract 5; to undo log(𝑥), we convert to exponential form
e.
𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝟏𝟎𝒙−𝟓

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)) and the output 10𝑥−5 is a power of base 10, so it is positive
only (R: (0, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (𝟎, ∞)

When finding the inverse of an exponential or logarithmic function,

we are basically just converting from one form to the other. If you
start with logarithmic function, its inverse will ALWAYS be
exponential, and if you start with an exponential function, you will
ALWAYS end up with a log function.
2
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 3: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = ln(−𝑥 ).

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
a.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐧(−𝒙)

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument −𝑥 must be positive

only (−𝑥 > 0). If −𝑥 > 0, then 𝑥 < 0, so the domain in the case is
negative values only (D: (0, ∞)). The output ln(−𝑥 ) can be any real
number (R: (−∞, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, 𝟎) Range of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.
f.
𝑓 = ln(−𝑥 )
g.
𝑓 = log 𝑒 (−𝑥 ) A logarithm is an exponent. Anything that is equal to a logarithm is also an
exponent. So if you have an equation such as 𝑓 = log 𝑒 (−𝑥), that means
h. that 𝑓 is an exponent. More specifically, 𝑓 is the exponent that makes 𝑒
𝑓
𝑒 = −𝑥 equal to −𝑥.

−𝑒 𝑓 = 𝑥
i.
To undo ln(−𝑥), we convert to exponential form; to undo −𝑥, we negate
both sides of the equation
j.
𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = −𝒆𝒙

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)). The output 𝑒 𝑥 is a power of base 𝑒, so it produces positive
outputs only. However negating it to get −𝑒 𝑥 means we end up with
negative outputs only (R: (− ∞, 0)).

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, 𝟎)

3
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 4: List the domain and range of the function

𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2 ∙ log(𝑥 − 3) + 4. Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list
its domain and range.
k.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐 ∙ 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝒙 − 𝟑) + 𝟒 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) =

Domain of 𝒇:

Range of 𝒇:

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 :

Range of 𝒇−𝟏 :

4
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 5: List the domain and range of the function

1
𝑓(𝑥 ) = − 2 ∙ log 2 (1 − 𝑥 ). Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list
its domain and range.
l.
𝟏
𝒇(𝒙) = − 𝟐 ∙ 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 (𝟏 − 𝒙) 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) =

Domain of 𝒇:

Range of 𝒇:

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 :

Range of 𝒇−𝟏 :

5
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

1 𝑥
Example 6: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = (2) . Then
find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
b. v
𝟏 𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = (𝟐)

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)) and the output 2𝑥 is a power of base 2, so it is positive only
(R: (0, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇: (𝟎, ∞)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.

1 𝑥
𝑓 = (2)
a.
1 𝑥
To undo (2) we convert to logarithmic form

log 1 (𝑓) = 𝑥
2

𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏 (𝒙)

𝟐

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument 𝑥 must be positive only

(D: (0, ∞)) but the output log 1 (𝑥 ) can be any real number (R: (−∞, ∞)).
2

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (𝟎, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞)

Again, when finding the inverse of an exponential or logarithmic

function, we are basically just converting from one form to the other.

6
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 7: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑒 𝑥+3 .

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
c. v
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒆𝒙+𝟑

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)) and the output 𝑒 𝑥+3 is a power of base 𝑒, so it is positive
only (R: (0, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇: (𝟎, ∞)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.

𝑓 = 𝑒 𝑥+3
a.
log 𝑒 (𝑓) = 𝑥 + 3
b.
log 𝑒 (𝑓) − 3 = 𝑥
c.
To undo 𝑒 to a power, we convert to log form; to undo +3, we subtract 3
d.
𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝐥𝐧(𝒙) − 𝟑

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument 𝑥 must be positive only

(D: (0, ∞)) but the output ln(𝑥 ) − 3 can be any real number
(R: (−∞, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (𝟎, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞)

7
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 8: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 10𝑥 − 5.

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
a.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏𝟎𝒙 − 𝟓

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)). The output 10𝑥 − 5 can be broken into two parts, 10𝑥 is a
power of base 10, so it is always positive. Taking 10𝑥 and subtracting 5
from it means taking our positive outputs and subtracting 5 from them, so
we end up with outputs going from −5 to infinity (R: (−5, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇: (−𝟓, ∞)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.
a.
𝑓 = 10𝑥 − 5
b.
𝑓 + 5 = 10𝑥
c.
log10 (𝑓 + 5) = 𝑥
d.

𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝒙 + 𝟓)

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument 𝑥 + 5 must be positive

only, so we have 𝑥 + 5 > 0, which is 𝑥 > −5 (D: (−5, ∞)). The output
log(𝑥 + 5) can be any real number (R: (−∞, ∞)).

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−𝟓, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞)

8
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

LON-CAPA Problem:
10−𝑥
List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+3 , then
find the inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range. List the
domain and range in interval notation.

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, −𝟐) ∪ (−𝟐, ∞)

Range of 𝒇: (−∞, −𝟐) ∪ (−𝟐, ∞)

𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = (−∞, −𝟐) ∪ (−𝟐, ∞)

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, 𝟎) ∪ (𝟎, ∞)

Range of 𝒇: (−∞, 𝟎) ∪ (𝟎, ∞)

9
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Example 9: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 7 − 23𝑥+5 .

Then find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
e.

𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟕 − 𝟐𝟑𝒙+𝟓
f.

Since this is an exponential function, the input 𝑥 can be any real number
(D: (−∞, ∞)). For the range, the exponential expression 23𝑥+5 will
produce positive outputs only (0, ∞). Negating those positive outputs
(−23𝑥+5 ) results in negative outputs (−∞, 0), and then adding 7 to those
negative outputs (7 − 23𝑥+5 ) will make the range (−∞, 7).

Domain of 𝒇: (−∞, ∞) Range of 𝒇: (−∞, 𝟕)

To find the inverse, write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.

𝑓 = 7 − 23𝑥+5

23𝑥+5 = 7 − 𝑓

log 2 (7 − 𝑓) = 3𝑥 + 5

log 2 (7 − 𝑓) − 5 = 3𝑥
1
3
∙ log 2 (7 − 𝑓) − 5 = 𝑥

𝟏
𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝟑 ∙ 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 (𝟕 − 𝒙) − 𝟓

Since this is a logarithmic function, the argument 7 − 𝑥 must be positive

only. That means 7 − 𝑥 > 0, which simplifies to 7 > 𝑥, which means the
domain of this function is (−∞, 7). The outputs of any logarithmic
function can be any real number, which means the range will be (−∞, ∞).
Notice this is the opposite of the domain and range listed above for the
original function 𝑓.

Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 : (𝟎, ∞) Range of 𝒇−𝟏 : (−∞, ∞)

10
16-week Lesson 32 (8-week Lesson 26) Finding the Inverse of an Exponential or Logarithmic Function

Answers to Exercises:
1. 𝐷: (0, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 , 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (0, ∞)
2. 𝐷: (0, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = 10𝑥−5 , 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (0, ∞)
3. 𝐷: (−∞, 0 ), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = −𝑒 𝑥 , 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, 0 )
𝑥−4
−1 (
4. 𝐷: (3, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞); 𝑓 𝑥 ) = 10 + 3, 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (3, ∞)
2

5. 𝐷: (−∞, 1 ), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 1 − 2−2𝑥 , 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, 1 )

6. 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (0, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = log 1 (𝑥 ) , 𝐷: (0, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞)
2
−1 (
7. 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (0, ∞); 𝑓 𝑥 ) = ln(𝑥 ) − 3, 𝐷: (0, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞)
8. 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (−5, ∞); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = log(𝑥 + 5) , 𝐷: (−5, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞)
log (7−𝑥)−5
9. 𝐷: (−∞, ∞), 𝑅: (−∞, 7); 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 2 , 𝐷: (−∞, 7), 𝑅: (−∞, ∞)
3

11