Lesson 1

Logarithmic
Functions
 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to
● correctly evaluate logarithms;
● correctly write equations in exponential form to
logarithmic form and vice versa; and
● correctly solve word problems involving logarithmic
functions.
● correctly construct a table of values and sketch the
graph of a logarithmic function; and
● correctly determine the equation of a logarithmic
function given its graph.
 Essential Questions

● How will you evaluate logarithms?

● How will you write equations in exponential form to its

logarithmic form and vice versa?
 Warm up!
Before we formally define a logarithmic function, let us
observe the following relationship between exponential and
logarithmic equations.

• (Click on the link to see how Exponents and Logarithms

Working Together )

https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/exponents-
logarithms.html
 Guide Questions
● What happens to the base of an exponential expression
after conversion of the equation to logarithmic form?

● What happens to the exponent of an exponential

expression after conversion of the equation to logarithmic
form?

● How can you convert an exponential equation into

logarithmic form?
 1 Logarithmic Function
it is a function which follows the form 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐛 𝒙, where 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0. and 𝑏 ≠ 1;
it is the inverse of the exponential function

Example:
The inverse of 𝑓 𝑥 = 5𝑥 is 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = log 5 𝑥.
 2 Rewriting Exponential Equations to Logarithmic
Equations and Vice Versa
the logarithmic form of 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 is log b 𝑥 = 𝑦; the exponential form of log b 𝑥 = 𝑦 is
𝑥 = 𝑏𝑦.

Example:
The logarithmic form of 25 = 32 is log 2 32 = 5.
The exponential form of log 3 81 = 4 is 34 = 81.
 3 Common Logarithm
logarithm with a base of 10; written as log 𝑥

Example:
The exponential form of log 1 000 = 3 is 103 = 1 000.
 4 Natural Logarithm
logarithm with a base of 𝒆 (Euler’s number); written as ln 𝑥

Example:
The exponential form of ln 𝑎 = 2 is 𝑒 2 = 𝑎.
Example 1: Convert log 2 8 = 3 into its equivalent exponential
form.
Example 1: Convert log 2 8 = 3 into its equivalent exponential
form.

Solution:
Say that the logarithmic form is log 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑦. It follows that
𝑏 = 2, 𝑦 = 3, and 𝑥 = 8. Since its corresponding exponential
form is 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 , let us substitute the values of 𝑦, 𝑏, and 𝑥.

Thus, the equivalent exponential form is 𝟐𝟑 = 𝟖.

Example 2: Evaluate log 2 16.
Example 2: Evaluate log 2 16.

Solution:
The expression log 2 16 means that we are looking for the
exponent of the base 2 to get the answer 16. Since 24 = 16, it
follows that log 2 16 = 𝟒.
Example 2: Evaluate log 2 16.

Solution:
Alternatively, we may solve the problem this way. Let 𝑥 be
the value of log 2 16. It follows that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟏𝟔 = 𝒙. We can solve
for the value of 𝑥 using its exponential form.

log 2 16 = 𝑥
2𝑥 = 16
2𝑥 = 24
Example 2: Evaluate log 2 16.

Solution:
Since 2𝑥 = 24 , it follows that 𝑥 = 4 since the bases are equal.

Therefore, log 2 16 = 𝟒.
 5 Logarithmic Function
it is a function which follows the form 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙, where 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0, and 𝑏 ≠ 1;
it can be described using a table of values, an equation, or a graph

Example:
The table of values and the graph of the logarithmic function
𝑓 𝑥 = log 5 𝑥 is shown on the next slide.
 5 Logarithmic Function
it is a function which follows the form 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙, where 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0, and 𝑏 ≠ 1;
it can be described using a table of values, an equation, or a graph

Example:

1 1 1 1
x 1 5 25 125 625
625 125 25 5
y −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
Example 1: Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log 2 𝑥.
Example 1: Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log 2 𝑥.
Solution:
First, let us construct a table of values. Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). We can
determine the table of values for the logarithmic function by
rewriting the equation 𝑦 = log 2 𝑥 into its equivalent
exponential form, which is 𝟐𝒚 = 𝒙.

1 1 1 1
𝒙 1 2 4 8 16
16 8 4 2
𝒚 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
Example 1: Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log 2 𝑥.
Solution:
Plot the points on the Cartesian
plane and connect them using a
smooth curve.

The graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = log 2 𝑥 is as

follows.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution: First, let us construct the tables of values.
Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The table of values for 𝑓 𝑥 = log 3 𝑥 can be
determined by rewriting 𝑦 = log 3 𝑥 to its corresponding
exponential equation 𝟑𝒚 = 𝒙.
1 1 1
𝒙 1 3 9 27
27 9 3
𝒇(𝒙) −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution:
The table of values for 𝑔 𝑥 = 3𝑥 is as follows.

𝒙 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
1 1 1
𝒈(𝒙) 1 3 9 27
27 9 3
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution:
Plot the points on the same Cartesian
plane and then connect them with a
smooth curve.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution:
The graphs of 𝑓(𝑥) are 𝑔(𝑥) are inverses of one another. It is
reflected along the line 𝒚 = 𝒙.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution:
The domain of 𝑓(𝑥) is the set of positive real numbers, and
its range is the set of all real numbers. On the other hand,
the domain of 𝑔(𝑥) is the set of all real numbers while its
range is the set of positive real numbers.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥
and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 on the same Cartesian plane.
Then, compare their graphs, domains, and
ranges.
Solution:
Thus, it can be said that the domain of a function is the range
of its inverse, and the range of a function is the domain of its
inverse.
Individual Practice:

1. Convert 43 = 64 into its equivalent logarithmic form and

log 5 125 = 3 into its equivalent exponential form.

2. Evaluate log 3 243.

Individual Practice:

3. Given the function 𝑓 𝑥 = −log 4 𝑥, construct a table of

values with five ordered pairs and then sketch its graph.

4. Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2log 2 𝑥, construct a table of

values with five ordered pairs and then sketch its graph.
Group Practice: To be done in team.

5. In the Richter scale, the magnitude 𝑅 of an earthquake is

𝐼
given by the formula 𝑅 = log ,where 𝐼 is the intensity as
𝐼0
recorded by the seismograph and 𝐼0 is the threshold
intensity. Convert the given formula to its equivalent
exponential form and then get the magnitude of an
earthquake whose intensity is 1 000 000 times the threshold
intensity.
Group Practice:

𝐼
5. In the Richter scale, the magnitude 𝑅 of an earthquake is given by the formula 𝑅 = log ,where 𝐼 is the
𝐼0
intensity as recorded by the seismograph and 𝐼0 is the threshold intensity. Convert the given formula to its
equivalent exponential form and then get the magnitude of an earthquake whose intensity is 1 000 000
times the threshold intensity.

𝐼
Solution: The given function is 𝑅 = log . This is a common logarithm with the base 10, an exponent R, and
𝐼0
𝐼
an answer of . Thus the equivalent exponential form of this formula is .
𝐼0

Note that the recorded intensity 1 000 000 𝐼0 ,, substitute the value I and solve for R.

Therefore, the magnitude R of the earthquake is 6.

Group Practice: To be done in team.

6. Under ideal conditions, the number of a particular strain of

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria after 𝑡 hours can be modeled
by the function 𝐵 𝑡 = 5(22𝑡 ). Determine the inverse of 𝐵(𝑡)
and then sketch its graph.
1 Logarithmic Function
it is a function which follows the form 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐛 𝒙, where 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0. and 𝑏 ≠ 1;
it is the inverse of the exponential function

2 Rewriting Exponential Equations to Logarithmic

Equations and Vice Versa
the logarithmic form of 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 is log b 𝑥 = 𝑦; the exponential form of log b 𝑥 = 𝑦 is
𝑥 = 𝑏𝑦.

3 Common Logarithm
logarithm with a base of 10; written as log 𝑥
4 Natural Logarithm
logarithm with a base of 𝒆 (Euler’s number); written as ln 𝑥

5 Logarithmic Function
it is a function which follows the form 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙, where 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0, and 𝑏 ≠ 1;
it can be described using a table of values, an equation, or a graph
● How do you evaluate logarithms?

● Why are logarithmic functions important?

● What do you think is the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 in

the logarithmic equation log b 𝑥 = 𝑦? Is it increasing or
decreasing?
● Why is it important to determine the relationship between
the logarithmic and exponential functions?

● What are the properties of the graph of a logarithmic

function?