Lesson 2: Logarithmic Functions & Their Graphs
Logarithmic Functions are Inverses of Exponential Functions
If >0 > 0, 1, then = log if and only if = .
Graph: =
= log
=
Basic Properties of Logarithms
(Note: These are also valid for base 10 and base e)
For > , , > , and any real number
log 1 = 0 log =1 log = =
ln 1 = 0 ln = 1 ln = =
Evaluating Logarithmic and Exponential Expressions
EX #1: Give a reason for the following logarithms
A. log 8 = 3 because …
1
B. log 3= because …
2
1
C. log = 2 because …
25
D. log 7 = 1 because …
E. 6 = 11 because …
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Logarithmic functions are inverses of exponential functions
(x &y are switched)
= = log
Common Logarithms, Base 10
Logarithms with base 10 are called common logarithms. The subscript 10 if often dropped, so a
logarithm statement with no specified base is understood to be base 10.
EX #2: Evaluate the following logarithms and exponential expressions.
A. log 100 B. log 10
C. log D. 10
EX #3: Evaluate these common logarithms with a calculator.
A. log 34.5 B. log 0.43 C. log( 3)
D. Using your answer to example 3c, can you make a general statement about logarithm functions?
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Solving Simple Logarithmic Equations
To solve an exponential equation, change it to a logarithmic equation.
To solve a logarithmic equation, change it to an exponential equation.
EX #4: Solve each equation by changing it to its exponential form.
A. log =3 B. log =5
Natural Logarithms, Base
Notation: The logarithmic function =
EX #5: Evaluate the following logarithmic and exponential expressions.
A. ln B. ln C.
Evaluating Natural Logarithms with a Calculator
EX #6: Use a calculator to evaluate the logarithmic expressions.
A. ln 23.5 B. ln 0.48 C. ln( 5)
Using Basic Properties for Natural Logarithms
EX #7: Evaluate the natural logarithms below:
A. ln B.
C. D. ln
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Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Basic Function: = ln
Graph: Analysis:
Transforming Logarithmic Graphs
Ex #8: Describe how to transform the graph of = ln or = log into the graph of the given
function.
A. = ln( + 2) B. = ln(3 )
C. = 3 log D. = 1 + log
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