300 Chapter 4

Section 4.5 Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

Recall that the exponential function f ( x ) = 2 x produces this table of values

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
1 1 1
f(x) 1 2 4 8
8 4 2

Since the logarithmic function is an inverse of the exponential, g ( x ) = log 2 ( x ) produces

the table of values
1 1 1
x 1 2 4 8
8 4 2
g(x) -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

In this second table, notice that

1) As the input increases, the output increases.
2) As input increases, the output increases more slowly.
3) Since the exponential function only outputs positive values, the logarithm can
only accept positive values as inputs, so the domain of the log function is (0, ∞) .
4) Since the exponential function can accept all real numbers as inputs, the logarithm
can output any real number, so the range is all real numbers or (−∞, ∞) .

Sketching the graph, notice that as the input

approaches zero from the right, the output of the
function grows very large in the negative direction,
indicating a vertical asymptote at
x = 0.
In symbolic notation we write
as x → 0 + , f ( x ) → −∞ , and as x → ∞, f ( x) → ∞

Graphical Features of the Logarithm

Graphically, in the function g ( x ) = log b ( x )
The graph has a horizontal intercept at (1, 0)
The graph has a vertical asymptote at x = 0
The graph is increasing and concave down
The domain of the function is x > 0, or (0, ∞)
The range of the function is all real numbers, or (−∞, ∞)
 Section 4.5 Graphs of Logarithmic Functions 301

When sketching a general logarithm with base b, it can be helpful to remember that the
graph will pass through the points (1, 0) and (b, 1).
To get a feeling for how the base affects the shape of the graph, examine the graphs
below.

Notice that the larger the base, the slower the graph grows. For example, the common
log graph, while it grows without bound, it does so very slowly. For example, to reach an
output of 8, the input must be 100,000,000.

Another important observation made was the domain of the logarithm. Like the
reciprocal and square root functions, the logarithm has a restricted domain which must be
considered when finding the domain of a composition involving a log.

Example 1
Find the domain of the function f ( x ) = log( 5 − 2 x )

The logarithm is only defined with the input is positive, so this function will only be
defined when 5 − 2 x > 0 . Solving this inequality,
− 2 x > −5
5
x<
2

5  5
The domain of this function is x < , or in interval notation,  − ∞, 
2  2

Try it Now
1. Find the domain of the function f ( x ) = log( x − 5) + 2 ; before solving this as an
inequality, consider how the function has been transformed.
302 Chapter 4

Transformations of the Logarithmic Function

Transformations can be applied to a logarithmic function using the basic transformation

techniques, but as with exponential functions, several transformations result in interesting
relationships.

log c x 1
First recall the change of base property tells us that log b x = = log c x
log c b log c b
From this, we can see that log b x is a vertical stretch or compression of the graph of the
log c x graph. This tells us that a vertical stretch or compression is equivalent to a change
of base. For this reason, we typically represent all graphs of logarithmic functions in
terms of the common or natural log functions.

Next, consider the effect of a horizontal compression on the graph of a logarithmic

function. Considering f ( x ) = log( cx ) , we can use the sum property to see
f ( x ) = log( cx ) = log( c ) + log( x )

Since log(c) is a constant, the effect of a horizontal compression is the same as the effect
of a vertical shift.

Example 2
Sketch f ( x ) = ln( x ) and g ( x ) = ln( x ) + 2 .

Graphing these,

Note that this vertical shift could also be written as a horizontal compression, since
g ( x ) = ln( x ) + 2 = ln( x ) + ln( e 2 ) = ln( e 2 x ) .

While a horizontal stretch or compression can be written as a vertical shift, a horizontal

reflection is unique and separate from vertical shifting.

Finally, we will consider the effect of a horizontal shift on the graph of a logarithm.
 Section 4.5 Graphs of Logarithmic Functions 303

Example 3
Sketch a graph of f ( x ) = ln( x + 2) .

This is a horizontal shift to the left by 2 units. Notice that none of our logarithm rules
allow us rewrite this in another form, so the effect of this transformation is unique.
Shifting the graph,

Notice that due to the horizontal shift, the vertical asymptote shifted to x = -2, and the
domain shifted to (−2, ∞ ) .

Combining these transformations,

Example 4
Sketch a graph of f ( x ) = 5 log( − x + 2) .

Factoring the inside as f ( x ) = 5 log( − ( x − 2)) reveals that this graph is that of the
common logarithm, horizontally reflected, vertically stretched by a factor of 5, and
shifted to the right by 2 units.

The vertical asymptote will be shifted to x = 2,

and the graph will have domain (∞, 2) . A rough
sketch can be created by using the vertical
asymptote along with a couple points on the
graph, such as
f (1) = 5 log(−1 + 2) = 5 log(1) = 0
f (−8) = 5 log(−(−8) + 2) = 5 log(10) = 5
304 Chapter 4

Try it Now
2. Sketch a graph of the function f ( x ) = −3 log( x − 2) + 1 .

Transformations of Logs
Any transformed logarithmic function can be written in the form
f ( x ) = a log( x − b) + k , or f ( x) = a log ( − ( x − b ) ) + k if horizontally reflected,

where x = b is the vertical asymptote.

Example 5
Find an equation for the logarithmic function
graphed.

This graph has a vertical asymptote at x = –2 and

has been vertically reflected. We do not know yet
the vertical shift (equivalent to horizontal stretch)
or the vertical stretch (equivalent to a change of
base). We know so far that the equation will have
form
f ( x ) = − a log( x + 2) + k

It appears the graph passes through the points (–1, 1) and (2, –1). Substituting in (–1, 1),
1 = −a log(−1 + 2) + k
1 = −a log(1) + k
1= k

Next, substituting in (2, –1),

− 1 = −a log(2 + 2) + 1
− 2 = −a log(4)
2
a=
log(4)

2
This gives us the equation f ( x) = − log( x + 2) + 1 .
log(4)
This could also be written as f ( x ) = −2 log 4 ( x + 2) + 1 .
 Section 4.5 Graphs of Logarithmic Functions 305

Try it Now
3. Write an equation for the function graphed here.

Flashback
4. Write the domain and range of the function graphed in Example 5, and describe its
long run behavior.

Important Topics of this Section

Graph of the logarithmic function (domain and range)
Transformation of logarithmic functions
Creating graphs from equations
Creating equations from graphs

Try it Now and Flashback Answers

1. Domain: {x| x > 5}

2.

3. The graph is horizontally reflected and has a vertical asymptote at x = 3, giving form
f ( x ) = a log(− ( x − 3)) + k . Substituting in the point (2,0) gives 0 = a log(− (2 − 3)) + k ,
−2
simplifying to k = 0. Substituting in (-2,-2), − 2 = a log(− (− 2 − 3)) , so = a.
log(5)
−2
The equation is f ( x) = log (− ( x − 3)) or f ( x ) = −2 log 5 (− ( x − 3)) .
log(5)

4. Domain: {x| x>-2}, Range: all real numbers; As x → − 2 + , f ( x ) → ∞ and as

x → ∞ , f ( x ) → −∞ .
306 Chapter 4

Section 4.5 Exercises

For each function, find the domain and the vertical asymptote.
1. f ( x ) = log ( x − 5) 2. f ( x ) = log ( x + 2 )

3. f ( x ) = ln ( 3 − x ) 4. f ( x ) = ln ( 5 − x )

5. f ( x ) = log ( 3x + 1) 6. f ( x ) = log ( 2 x + 5)

7. f ( x ) = 3log ( − x ) + 2 8. f ( x ) = 2log ( − x ) + 1

Sketch a graph of each pair of functions.

9. f ( x ) = log ( x ) , g ( x ) = ln ( x ) 10. f ( x ) = log 2 ( x), g ( x ) = log 4 ( x )

Sketch each transformation.

11. f ( x ) = 2log ( x ) 12. f ( x ) = 3ln ( x )

13. f ( x ) = ln ( − x ) 14. f ( x ) = − log ( x )

15. f ( x ) = log 2 ( x + 2) 16. f ( x ) = log3 ( x + 4 )

Find a formula for the transformed logarithm graph shown.

17. 18.
 Section 4.5 Graphs of Logarithmic Functions 307

19. 20.
Find a formula for the transformed logarithm graph shown.

21. 22.

23. 24.