2d - Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

Due dates: For 100%: Oct 11. For 90%: Oct 20. For 60%: Dec 11. (The same as 2c and 2e)
Solutions posted Oct 21.
Standards:
Standard 2d – Graphs of logarithmic functions
The goals of the unit are that you will be able to:
o Graph logarithmic functions, including translations.
o Explain how the graph of a log function relates to the graph of an exponential function.
o Know the properties of the graphs of logarithmic functions, such as asymptotes and whether they are
increasing or decreasing.
o Recognize when a graph is a translation of a logarithmic function and find equations for such graphs.

Textbook Sections (OpenStax Precalculus)

Graphing basic logarithmic functions

b) Use the graph of the function f to graph the function 𝑔(𝑥) = log 2 (𝑥). Remember that they are inverses,
so you can just swap the x and y values of the previous graph.

1
Page

Created by Marcela Chiorescu and Rachel Epstein as part of Affordable Learning Georgia Textbook Transformation Grant #449. Parts of this
document are modified from Active Prelude to Calculus by Matthew Boelkins (https://activecalculus.org/prelude) and OpenStax Precalculus:
Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.
 c) What properties does the graph of 𝑔 have? (Domain, range, asymptote, increasing, decreasing, etc)

d) For two large values of x, is the average rate of change of y = log 2 𝑥 between them large or small?
“Growing exponentially” means growing faster and faster. What do you think “growing
logarithmically” means?

1 𝑥
2. The graph of h(𝑥) = log 1 𝑥 can be found by swapping the x and y values in y = (2) . However, it is
2
also just the graph of y = log 2 𝑥 flipped across the x-axis.
a) Graph it here.

b) What properties does the graph of h(𝑥) = log 1 𝑥 have? (Domain, range, asymptote, increasing,
2
decreasing, etc)

2
Page

Created by Marcela Chiorescu and Rachel Epstein as part of Affordable Learning Georgia Textbook Transformation Grant #449. Parts of this
document are modified from Active Prelude to Calculus by Matthew Boelkins (https://activecalculus.org/prelude) and OpenStax Precalculus:
Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.
 3. For b > 1, the graph of y = log 𝑏 𝑥 looks similar to the graph of y = log 2 𝑥. For 0 < b < 1, the graph
of y = log 𝑏 𝑥 looks similar to the graph of y = log 1 𝑥. With that in mind, briefly explain (possibly with
2
pictures) the differences between graphs of logarithms with base b greater than 1 and with base b less
than 1.

Transformations of the function y = log 𝑏 𝑥

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Try to get at least to here in class~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. If a graph has a horizontal asymptote, can it be the graph of a function in the form
y = log 𝑏 (𝑥 − 𝑑) + c? Why or why not?

6. The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = log 𝑥 is reflected about the x-axis, shifted upward 2 units and left 5 units. What is
the equation of the new function? Find its domain, range and an equation for its asymptote. Sketch a
rough graph of it.

3
Page

Created by Marcela Chiorescu and Rachel Epstein as part of Affordable Learning Georgia Textbook Transformation Grant #449. Parts of this
document are modified from Active Prelude to Calculus by Matthew Boelkins (https://activecalculus.org/prelude) and OpenStax Precalculus:
Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.
 7.
a) Given the function f(𝑥) = ln(𝑥 + 3) − 2 what transformations you need to do to the parent function
g(𝑥) = ln 𝑥 to obtain the graph of f?

b) Find the domain, range and equation for the asymptote of f.

Further practice: these problems don’t need to be turned in. They can help you develop proficiency in the
standards and can thus be used to prepare for Learning Checkpoints.
4

From the section exercises at the end of section 4.4 in the textbook
Page

# 1-5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 21, 26-30, 35, 37, 40, 41, 56, 57
Created by Marcela Chiorescu and Rachel Epstein as part of Affordable Learning Georgia Textbook Transformation Grant #449. Parts of this
document are modified from Active Prelude to Calculus by Matthew Boelkins (https://activecalculus.org/prelude) and OpenStax Precalculus:
Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.