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CIE A Level Maths: Pure 3 Your notes

2.1 Logarithmic & Exponential Function

Contents
2.1.1 Exponential Functions
2.1.2 Logarithmic Functions
2.1.3 "e"
2.1.4 Derivatives of Exponential Functions

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2.1.1 Exponential Functions

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Exponential Functions
Exponential functions
Exponential functions of the form y = ax with a > 0 are considered at A level
Exponential graphs
All graphs of the form y = ax will pass through (0, 1) because a0 = 1
The x-axis is an asymptote

a>1
Where x < 0 the higher value of a is the “lower” graph
Where x > 0 the higher value of a is the “higher” graph
a > 1 is exponential growth (see Exponential Growth & Decay)

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0<a<1
Where x < 0 the higher value of a is the “lower” graph
Where x > 0 the higher value of a is the “higher” graph
0 < a < 1 is exponential decay

What about when a = 1?

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You may like to think about why a = 1 is not considered... If a = 1, y = 1x = 1 for all values of x

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Worked example
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2.1.2 Logarithmic Functions

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Logarithmic Functions
Logarithmic functions

a = bx and log b a = x are equivalent statements

a>0
b is called the base
Every time you write a logarithm statement say to yourself what it means
log3 81 = 4
“the power you raise 3 to, to get 81, is 4”
logp q = r
“the power you raise p to, to get q, is r”
Logarithm rules
A logarithm is the inverse of raising to a power so we can use rules to simplify logarithmic functions

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How do I use logarithms?

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Recognising the rules of logarithms allows expressions to be simplified

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Recognition of common powers helps in simple cases

Powers of 2: 20 = 1, 21 = 2, 22 = 4, 23 = 8, 24 =16, …
Powers of 3: 30 = 1, 31 = 3, 32 = 9, 33 = 27, 34 = 81, …
The first few powers of 4, 5 and 10 should also be familiar
For more awkward cases a calculator is needed

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Calculators can have, possibly, three different logarithm buttons

This button allows you to type in any number for the base

Natural logarithms (see “e”)

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Shortcut for base 10 although SHIFT button needed

Before calculators, logarithmic values had to be looked up in printed tables
Notation

10 is a common base
log10 x is abbreviated to log x or lg x
The value e is another common base
loge x is abbreviated to ln x
(log x)2 ≠ log x2

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Worked example
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2.1.3 "e"
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"e" Exponential Function
What is e, the exponential function?
The exponential function is y = ex
e is an irrational number
e ≈ 2.718
As with other exponential graphs y = ex
passes through (0, 1)
has the x-axis as an asymptote

What is the big deal with e?

y = ex has the particular property
dy
= ex
dx
ie for every real number x, the gradient of y = ex is also equal to ex (see Derivatives of Exponential
Functions)

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The negative exponential graph

y = e-x is a reflection in the y-axis of y = ex
They are of the form y = f(x) and y = f(-x) (see Transformations of Functions - Reflections)

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What is exponential growth and decay?

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y = Aekx (k > 0) is exponential growth

y = Ae-kx (k > 0) is exponential decay

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A is the initial value

k is a (usually positive) constant
“-“ is used in the equation making clear whether it is growth or decay Your notes

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Worked example
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2.1.4 Derivatives of Exponential Functions

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Derivatives of Exponential Functions
What is the derivative of e?
y = ex has the particular property
dy
= ex
dx
ie for every real number x, the gradient of y = ex is also equal to ex (see Derivatives of Exponential
Functions)

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e ≈ 2.718 (see "e")

Recall that the derivative is the gradient function for a curve (see First Principles Differentiation)
Graphs and derivatives related to e

The derivative of y = ekx is

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dy
= ke kx Your notes
dx
The derivative of y = e-kx is
dy
= − ke − kx
dx
Exam Tip
Remember that (like π) e is a number.
Exam questions can ask for answers to be given as exact values in terms of e (see the Worked
Example below).

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Worked example
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