16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

In the lessons covering Exponential Functions (Lessons 29 & 30), we

determined that exponential functions are one-to-one. And in Lesson 27,
we determined that if a function is one-to-one (like exponential functions
are), it must have an inverse. Therefore exponential functions will have an
inverse.
To find the inverse of an exponential function, we can follow the same
steps that we have used before to find the inverse of a function (change the
function to an equation, solve for 𝑥, and then change back to a function).
Example 1: List the domain and range of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 . Then
find its inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) and list its domain and range.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙 In order to find the inverse of an exponential function, we will
once again write the function as an equation and solve for 𝑥.
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 𝑓 = 2𝑥
Unfortunately we can’t use any of our current techniques to
bring the exponent 𝑥 down in order to isolate it. Instead we
need to use a new technique which is to convert the
exponential equation 𝑓 = 2𝑥 to logarithmic form, since a
logarithmic function is the inverse of an exponential function.

𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 𝑓 = 2𝑥 → 𝑥 = log 2 (𝑓)

Converting our exponential equation to a logarithmic equation
allowed us to isolate the variable 𝑥. This also shows that our
logarithm (log 2 (𝑓)) is equal to 𝑥, which used to be our
exponent. So a logarithm is simply an exponent.

𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) =

Domain of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙 : Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 :
(the domain is the set of (the domain is the set of inputs,
inputs, and the inputs of this and the inputs of this function
function are exponents) are powers of the base 2)

Range of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙 : Range of 𝒇−𝟏 :

(the range is the set of outputs, (the range is the set of
and the outputs of this function outputs, and the outputs of this
are powers of the base 2) function are exponents)
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16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

For any exponential function 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥 , where 𝑎 is a positive number

other than 1, its inverse function will be 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 ).
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 (𝒙)
Domain of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙 : Domain of 𝒇−𝟏 :
a. (−∞, ∞) (𝟎, ∞)
Range of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙 : Range of 𝒇−𝟏 :
b. (𝟎, ∞) (−∞, ∞)
Logarithmic Functions:
- the inverse of an exponential function
o the function that undoes an exponential function
▪ if 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥 , then 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 )
- a logarithm is simply an exponent; specifically, log 𝑎 (𝑥 ) represents
the exponent that makes the base 𝑎 equal to the argument 𝑥
- the quantity in parentheses (𝑥 in this case) is called the argument, and
the argument is a power of the base 𝑎
o just like the base of an exponential function, the base of a
logarithm can be any positive number other than 1, and since the
argument is a power of that base, THE ARGUMENT MUST
BE POSITIVE
Exponential Functions Logarithmic Functions
Any real number can be the input Only positive real numbers can be
of an exponential function the argument of a logarithmic
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥 , but only positive function 𝑔(𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 ) because
outputs are possible because the the argument is a power of the
base 𝑎 must be a positive number, positive base 𝑎, but any real
and a positive number taken to the number is possible for the output
power of any real number is because the output of a logarithmic
ALWAYS positive. function is the same as the input of
its inverse (an exponential
function), an exponent.

2
16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

Example 2: Given the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 36 (𝑥 ), find the

following function values. If no function value exists for a particular
input, write DNE.
a. 𝑓 (36) = log 36 (36)
A logarithm is an exponent. In this case, what exponent makes the
base of 36 equal to the argument of 36? In other words, 36? = 36

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑𝟔 (𝟑𝟔) = 𝟏, because 𝟏 is the exponent that make 𝟑𝟔 equal to 𝟑𝟔

1 1
b. 𝑓 (36) = log 36 (36)

Again, a logarithm is an exponent. In this case, what exponent makes

1 1
the base of 36 equal to the argument of 36? In other words, 36? = 36.

In part a. we found that 361 = 36, so 1 is the exponent that makes 36

equal to itself, but what exponent makes 36 equal to it’s reciprocal?
c. 𝑓 (−36) = log 36 (−36)
Again, a logarithm is an exponent. In this case, what exponent makes
the base of 36 equal to the argument of −36? In other words,
36? = −36 .
Is there an exponent that will make a positive base like 36 become
negative?
d. 𝑓 (0) = log 36 (0)
A logarithm is an exponent. What exponent makes the base of 36
equal to the argument of 0 (36? = 0)? Is there an exponent that will
change a positive base like 36 equal to 0?
e. 𝑓 (6) = log 36 (6)
What exponent makes 36 equal to 6 (36? = 6)? 6 is the square root
of 36, so what exponent is the equivalent of a square root?
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16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

𝑓(𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 ) represents the exponent that makes the base 𝑎 equal to the
argument 𝑥. Using the logarithmic function from Example 3,
𝑓(𝑥 ) = log 36 (𝑥 ) represents the exponent that makes the base 36 equal to
the argument 𝑥:

𝑓(1296) = log 36 (1296), which equals 2 because 362 = 1296

1
1 1 1 − 1
𝑓 (6) = log 36 (6), which equals − 2 because 36 2 =6

So the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 36 (𝑥 ) is basically saying 36 ? = 𝑥,

which means that 𝑥 must ALWAYS be a positive value, because 36 to the
power of any exponent will ALWAYS produce a positive value. This will
be true for any logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 ).

𝑓(𝑥 ) = log 𝑎 (𝑥 ) 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥

Domain: (0, ∞) Domain: (−∞, ∞)

Range: (−∞, ∞) Range: (0, ∞)

𝑥 is a power of the base 𝑎, and 𝑥 is an exponent of the base 𝑎, so 𝑥

since 𝑎 is positive, 𝑥 must be is unrestricted. The output 𝑓(𝑥 ) is
positive. The output 𝑓(𝑥 ) is the a power of 𝑎, and since 𝑎 is
exponent which produces that positive, 𝑎 𝑥 must be positive as
power, and an exponent can be any well.
real number, since exponents are
never restricted.

Understanding that the argument of a logarithmic function is ALWAYS

positive will become even more important when we start solving
logarithmic equations. At that point, we will always have to check our
answers to verify they result in a positive argument.
4
16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

Example 3: Given the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log100 (𝑥 ), find the

following function values. If no function value exists for a particular
input, write DNE.
1 1
a. 𝑓 (100) = log100 (100) b. 𝑓 (100) = log100 (100)
b. 1
1
100? = 100 100? = 100

1 1
c. 𝑓 (−100) = log100 (−100) d. 𝑓 (− 100) = log100 (− 100)
d.
1
100? = −100 100? = − 100

e. 𝑓 (1) = log100 (1) f. 𝑓 (0) = log100 (0)

f.
100? = 1 100? = 0
1 1
g. 𝑓 (10,000) = log100 (10,000) h. 𝑓 ( ) = log100 (10,000)
10,000
h.
1
100? = 10,000 100? = 10,000

1 1
i. 𝑓 (10) = log100 (10) j. 𝑓 (10) = log100 (10)
j.
1
100? = 10 100? = 10

1 1
k. 𝑓 (−10) = log100 (−10) l. 𝑓 (− 10) = log100 (− 10)
l. 1
1
100? = −10 100? = − 10

A logarithm is an exponent; a logarithm represents the exponent needed to

change a base into a power of that base (the argument). When finding
function values for a logarithmic function, think about what exponent is
needed to make the base equal to the argument.
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16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

Example 4: Given the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 1 (𝑥 ), list the

9
domain and range, then find the following. If no function value exists for
a particular input, write DNE.

1 1 1 1
a. 𝑓 (81) = log 1 (81) b. 𝑓 (9) = log 1 (9) c. 𝑓(1) = log 1 (1)
9 9 9
b. a
c. a

d. 𝑓 (9) = log 1 (9) e. 𝑓(81) = log 1 (81) f. 𝑓 (0) = log 1 (0)

9 9 9
e. 1
f. 1

1 1
g. 𝑓 (3) = log 1 (3) h. 𝑓(3) = log 1 (3) i. 𝑓(−3) = log 1 (−3)
9 9 9
h. 1
i. 1
j.
𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞:
k.
l.
Example 5: Given the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 5 (𝑥 ), list the
domain and range, find the following. If no function value exists for a
particular input, write DNE.

1 1
a. 𝑓 (5) = log 5 (5) b. 𝑓 (5) = log 5 (5) c. 𝑓(−5) = log 5 (−5)
b. a
c. a

1 1
d. 𝑓 (25) = log 5 (25) e. 𝑓 (25) = log 5 (25) f. 𝑓 (0) = log 5 (0)
e. 1
f.
g.
𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞:

6
16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

Example 6: Given the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 2 (𝑥 + 1), list the

domain and range.
𝑥 + 1 is the argument of the logarithmic function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = log 2 (𝑥 + 1), so
that means that 𝑥 + 1 must be positive only, because 2 to the power of
anything is always positive.
Domain of 𝒇(𝒙): 𝑥+1>0

Range of 𝒇(𝒙): (−∞, ∞) The range of a logarithmic function will always be all real numbers,
just like the domain of its inverse, an exponential function

Example 7: Given the logarithmic function 𝑔(𝑥 ) = log 1 (𝑥 − 3), list the
3
domain and range.
Because 𝑥 − 3 is the argument of the logarithmic function 𝑔, it must be
positive:
Domain of 𝒇(𝒙): 𝑥−3>0
Range of 𝒇(𝒙): (−∞, ∞)

𝑥
Example 8: Given the logarithmic function ℎ(𝑥 ) = log 𝜋 (5 − 3), list the
domain and range.
𝑥
Because 5 − 3 is the argument of the logarithmic function ℎ, it must be
positive:
Domain of 𝒇(𝒙): 𝑥
5− >0
3
Range of 𝒇(𝒙): (−∞, ∞)

Example 9: Given the logarithmic function 𝑗(𝑥 ) = log 5 (3𝑥 + 𝜋), list the
domain and range.
Because 3𝑥 + 𝜋 is the argument of the logarithmic function 𝑗, it must be
positive:
Domain of 𝒇(𝒙): 3𝑥 + 𝜋 > 0
Range of 𝒇(𝒙): (−∞, ∞)
7
16-week Lesson 31 (8-week Lesson 25) Logarithmic Functions

Answers to Examples:
2a. 1 ; 2b. −1 ; 2c. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 2d. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ;
3a. 2 ; 3b. −2 ; 3c. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 3d. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 3e. 0 ; 3f. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 3g. 3 ;
1 1
3h. −3 ; 3i. 2 ; 3j. − 2 ; 3k. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 3l. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ;
4. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (0, ∞); 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ; 4a. 2 ; 4b. 1 ; 4c. 0 ;
1 1
4d. −1 ; 4e. −2 ; 4f. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ; 4g. 2 ; 4h. − 2 ; 4i. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ;
5. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (0, ∞); 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ; 5a. 1 ; 5b. −1 ; 5c. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ;
5d. 2 ; 5e. −2 ; 5f. 𝐷𝑁𝐸 ;
6. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (−1, ∞); 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ;
7. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (3, ∞); 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ;
8. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (−∞, 15); 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ;
𝜋
9. 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: (− 3 , ∞) ; 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: (−∞, ∞) ;