Task 1.

Please answer the following questions related to exponential and logarithmic functions:

(i)What are exponential and logarithmic functions? How are they related? What are
their key factors (Explain the variables used in the definitions of these functions)?
Discuss their domain and range.

Exponential Functions

Definition: An exponential function is a mathematical function of the form:

f(x) = a * bx

where:

a is a constant (the initial value or coefficient).

b is the base of the exponential (a positive real number not equal to 1).

x is the exponent (the independent variable).

Key Factors:

 Base b: Determines the growth or decay rate.

 If b > 1, the function represents exponential growth.

 If 0 < b < 1, the function represents exponential decay.

 Coefficient a: Scales the function. If a > 0, the function is positive. If a < 0, the
function is reflected over the x-axis.

 Exponent x: The variable that the base is raised to, which can be any real number.

Domain and Range:

 Domain: All real numbers (−∞,∞).

 Range: Positive real numbers if a > 0 (0,∞); negative real numbers if a < 0 (−∞,0).

Logarithmic Functions

Definition: A logarithmic function is the inverse of an exponential function. It is of the form:

f(x) = logb(x)

where:

b is the base of the logarithm (a positive real number not equal to 1).
x is the argument (the input value, must be positive).

Key Factors:

 Base b: The same base as in the exponential function. It determines the rate at which
the logarithmic function grows.

 Argument x: The input value to the logarithm, which must be positive ( x > 0).

Domain and Range:

 Domain: Positive real numbers (0,∞).

 Range: All real numbers (−∞,∞).

Relationship Between Exponetial and Logarithmic Functions

Exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other. This means that:

 If y = bx, then x = logb(y).

 Graphically, they are reflections of each other across the line y = x.

For example, with base e (the natural logarithm base, approximately 2.718):

 The exponential function is f(x) = ex.

 The corresponding logarithmic function is f(x) = ln(x), where ln denotes the natural
logarithm.

These functions are fundamentally connected, with logarithmic functions serving as the
inverse of exponential functions, and their properties reflect this inverse relationship
(Abramson, 2023).

(ii) What is the difference between exponential, logarithmic, and power functions?
Provide one mathematical example for each and illustrate the differences of growth
patterns and any special points (such as asymptotes, intercepts, and zeros), if applicable.
Graph the examples.

Exponential Functions

Definition: An exponential function has the form:

f(x) = a * bx

Example,

f(x) = 2 * 3x
Growth Pattern:

 Exponential functions exhibit rapid growth or decay.

 If b > 1, the function grows exponentially.

 If 0 < b < 1, the function decays exponentially.

Special Points:

 Y-Intercept: At x = 0 , f(0) = a * b0 = a.

 Asymptote: Horizontal asymptote at y = 0.

 Zeros: There are no zeros if a ≠ 0.

Graph of f(x) = 2 * 3x

Logarithmic Functions

Definition: A logarithmic function has the form:

f(x) = logb(x)

Example,

f(x) = log3(x)

Growth Pattern:
  Logarithmic functions exhibit slow growth.

 The function grows if x > 1 and decays (approaching −∞) as x approaches 0 from the
right.

Special Points:

 X-Intercept: At x = 1, f(1) = logb(1) = 0.

 Asymptote: Vertical asymptote at x = 0.

 Zeros: The function has a zero at x = 1

Graph of f(x) = log3(x)

Power Functions

Definition: A power function has the form:

f(x) = a * xb

Example,

f(x) = 2 * x3

Growth Pattern:

 Power functions' growth rates depend on the exponent b.

 For b > 1, the function grows more quickly as x increases.

  For 0 < b < 1, the function grows more slowly.

 For b < 0, the function decreases as x increases.

Special Points:

 Y-Intercept: At x =0, f(0) = 0 if a ≠ 0.

 Zeros: At x = 0 if a ≠ 0.

 Asymptotes: Generally, no asymptotes unless b < 0.

Graph of f(x) = 2 * x3

(Abramson, 2023).

(iii)How to explain if a function has exponential growth?

Exponential growth happens when a quantity's rate of increase is proportionate to its current
value. As a result, the quantity gradually increases at an accelerating rate.

Characteristics of Exponential Growth:

1. Mathematical Form:

An exponential growth function is typically of the form:

f(x) = a * bx

where:

 a is a positive constant (the initial amount or coefficient).

  b is a base greater than 1 (i.e., b > 1).

 x is the exponent (the independent variable) (Abramson, 2023).

2. Rate of Increase:

 The quantity grows by a constant percentage or factor in equal time intervals.

 The growth rate is proportional to the current value, meaning as the value
increases, the rate of increase also becomes faster (Abramson, 2023).

3. Graphical Representation:

 The graph of an exponential growth function is a curve that gets steeper over time.
 It has a horizontal asymptote at y = 0, meaning the function approaches but never
actually reaches zero as x decreases.
 The y-intercept is at (0,a) (Abramson, 2023).

4. Doubling Time:

 One of the key properties of exponential growth is the concept of doubling time,
which is the period it takes for the quantity to double in size.
 For f(x) = a * bx, the doubling time T can be found using the relation bT = 2
(Abramson, 2023).

(iv)Between exponential and logarithmic functions, which one grows faster? Provide an
explanation for your answer.

Exponential functions grow faster than logarithmic functions. This is because exponential
growth results in values that increase rapidly and accelerate over time, while logarithmic
growth results in values that increase slowly and decelerate over time (Abramson, 2023). The
graphical representations in question (ii) clearly shows this difference, with exponential
curves rising steeply and logarithmic curves leveling off.

(v) Write the observations of growth patterns and special points (if any) by drawing the
graphs for the examples given.

I provided the the observation of growth patterns, special points and drawing of the graphs in
question (ii) please refer above.

Task 2. Write the logarithmic properties at each step to solve the following questions:
(i) Simplify using logarithmic properties,

log6(216x/1296x)logx6

Given expression:

log6(216x/1296x) * logx6

Simplify the First Logarithm:

log6(216x/1296x)

(216x/1296x)

Cancel out x since it is a common factor:

(216/1296) = 1/6

The expression becomes:

log6(1/6) * logx6

Use the property of logarithms for a reciprocal:

logb(1/a) = -logb(a)

log6(1/6) = -log6(6)

Since log6(6) = 1

-log6(6) = -1

The expression becomes:

-1 * logx6

Combine

-logx6

The simplified form of the given expression is -logx6 (Yoshiwara, 2020).

(ii) Condense the complex logarithm into single term

log(x + 1)2 + log(2x - 1)3 - log(x)2 - log(2x - 1)4 + 6log(x + 1)

Given expression:

log(x + 1)2 + log(2x - 1)3 - log(x)2 - log(2x - 1)4 + 6log(x + 1)

We will use the properties of logarithms to condense this expression into a single term.
Apply the Power Rule:

The power rule is given by,

logb(ac) = clogb(a)

log(x + 1)2 = 2log(x + 1)

log(2x - 1)3 = 3log(2x - 1)

log(x)2 = 2log(x)

log(2x - 1)4 = 4log(2x - 1)

6log(x + 1) is already in the correct form.

2log(x + 1) + 3log(2x − 1) − 2log(x) − 4log(2x − 1) + 6log(x + 1)

Combine the like terms

2log(x + 1) + 6log(x + 1) + 3log(2x − 1) − 4log(2x − 1) − 2log(x)

(2 + 6) log(x + 1) + (3 − 4) log(2x − 1) − 2log(x)

8 log(x + 1) − log(2x − 1) − 2log(x)

Apply the Logarithm Addition and Subtraction Properties:

logb(a) + logb(c) = logb(a * c) and logb(a) - logb(c) = logb(a/c)

Substitute and combine the logarithms

8 log(x + 1) − log(2x − 1) − 2log(x)

Convert the logarithms into single terms

log((x + 1)8) − log(2x − 1) − log(x2)

log((x + 1)8/(2x − 1) * (x2))

log((x + 1)8/x2(2x − 1))

The condensed form of the given complex logarithm is: log((x + 1)8/x2(2x − 1)).

(Yoshiwara, 2020).

(iii) Solve: 10e2x-3 = 15e5x-7

Isolate the exponential terms

10e2x-3/15e5x-7 = 1
Simplify the fraction

10/15 * e2x-3/e5x-7 = 1

2/3 * e(2x-3)-(5x-7) = 1

Combine the exponents

2/3 * e2x-3-5x+7 = 1

2/3 * e-3x+4 = 1

Isolate the exponential expression

e-3x+4 = 3/2

Take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides to solve for x

ln(e-3x+4) = ln(3/2)

Use ln(ey) = y

-3x + 4 = ln(3/2)

Isolate x and solve for x

-3x = ln(3/2) - 4

x = (4 - ln(3/2))/3

Therefore the simplified form of the solution is x = (4 - ln(3/2))/3.

(Yoshiwara, 2020).

Task 3. A research laboratory has been conducting experiments on the rapid increase of
cancer cells in an animal. They have observed that cancer cell growth increases by 2%
every year with certain medication. Initially, in the year 2018, there were 232.26 units of
these cells in the animal.

Using the above data, answer the following questions:

(i) Create a table to illustrate the yearly increase in cancer cells up to the year 2023.

We'll use the initial amount and growth rate provided to generate a table that displays the
annual increase in cancer cells from 2018 to 2023.

We’re given:

Initial number of cancer cells in 2018 (P0): 232.26 units

Annual growth rate (r): 2% (or 0.02)

The formula to calculate the number of cancer cells after n years with a growth rate of r is:

Pn = P0 * (1 + r)n

Where,

 Pn is the number of cancer cells after n years.

 P0 is the initial number of cancer cells.

 r is the annual growth rate.

 n is the number of years since 2018.

Calculate the number of cancer cells for each year from 2018 to 2023:

1. 2018: P0 = 232.26

2. 2019: P1 = 232.26 * (1+0.02)1= 232.26 * 1.02 = 236.9052

3. 2020: P2 = 232.26 * (1+0.02)2 = 232.26 * 1.022 = 232.26 * 1.0404 = 241.643304

4. 2021: P3 = 232.26 * (1+0.02)3 = 232.26 * 1.023 = 232.26 * 1.061208 = 246.45617008

5. 2022: P4 = 232.26 * (1+0.02)4 = 232.26 * 1.024 = 232.26 * 1.08243216 =

251.3452934816

6. 2023: P5 = 232.26 * (1+0.02)5 = 232.26 * 1.025 = 232.26 * 1.1040808032 =

256.312199351232

Year Number of Cancer Cells (units)

2018 232.26
2019 236.91
2020 241.64
2021 246.46
2022 251.35
2023 256.31

The values have been rounded to two decimal places.

The number of cancer cells increased from 2018 to 2023, as shown in the table, with a
consistent 2% annual growth rate. According to the calculations, there is a compound growth
effect, meaning that each year the number of cells grows a little bit more because of the
growth in the year before (Abramson, 2023).

(ii) Examine the table of values and identify the mathematical function that represents
this growth pattern, specifying the key factors of the mathematical function.
We note that there is a 2% annual increase in the number of cancer cells based on the data in
the table. Growth of this kind proceeds in an exponential design.

The general form of an exponential growth function is:

P(t) = P0 * (1 + r)t

Where,

 P(t) is the number of cancer cells at time t years.

 P0 is the initial number of cancer cells. = 232.26 units

 r is the annual growth rate. = 0.02 (or 2%).

 t is the number of years since the initial time (since 2018 in this case).

Using these factors, the specific function for this growth pattern is:

P(t) = P0 * (1 + r)t

P(t) = 232.26 * (1 + 0.02)t

P(t) = 232.26 * 1.02t

We can enter the values of t (the number of years since 2018) and see if the function
generates the appropriate number of cancer cells to verify that this function accurately
represents the data in the table (Abramson, 2023).

1. 2018: P(0) = 232.26 * 1.020 = 232.26 * 1 = 232.26

2. 2019: P(1) = 232.26 * 1.021 = 232.26 * 1.02 = 236.91

3. 2020: P(2) = 232.26 * 1.022 = 232.26 * 1.0404 = 241.64

4. 2021: P(3) = 232.26 * 1.023 = 232.26 * 1.061208 = 246.46

5. 2022: P(4) = 232.26 * 1.024 = 232.26 * 1.08243216 = 251.35

6. 2023: P(5) = 232.26 * 1.025 = 232.26 * 1.1040808032 = 256.31

The values in the table and the calculated values approve, indicating that the cancer cells'
growth pattern is accurately represented by the function P(t) = 232.26 * 1.02t.

This function describes the exponential growth seen in the study data, with its key parameters
being the initial number of cancer cells (232.26 units) and the annual growth rate (2%).
(Abramson, 2023).
(iii) Utilize this mathematical function to project the level of cancer cells in 10 years,
assuming the growth rate continues at the same pace.
To project the number of cancer cells in 10 years, we will use the exponential growth
function identified previously:

P(t) = 232.26 * 1.02t

Since we want to find the number of cancer cells 10 years from 2018 (which is the year
2028), we set t = 10

P(10) = 232.26 * 1.0210

P(10) = 232.26 * 1.2189944199947573

P(10) ≈ 283.09

Therefore, if the growth rate stays at 2% annually, the estimated number of cancer cells in ten
years is approximately 283.09.

This projection indicates that if the growth rate remains constant, there will be around 283.09
units of cancer cells in the animal by the year 2028 (Abramson, 2023).

(iv) Illustrate the growth pattern by plotting a graph (Take scale 100units on X and Y-
axes).

Graph Data Points:

Year t P(t) (Units)

2018 (Point A) 0 232.26
2019 (Point B) 1 236.91
2020 (Point C) 2 241.64
2021 (Point D) 3 246.46
2022 (Point E) 4 251.35
2023 (Point F) 5 256.31
2024 (Point G) 6 261.36
2025 (Point H) 7 266.59
2026 (Point I) 8 271.92
2027 (Point J) 9 277.36
2028 (Point K) 10 283.09

Graph of P(t) = 232.26 * 1.02t

The graph illustrates the expected growth pattern of cancer cells in 10 years by showing an
exponential growth curve that starts at 232.26 units in 2018 and rises steadily to about 283.09
units in 2028 (Abramson, 2023).

References:

Abramson, J. (2023). Algebra and trigonometry (2nd ed.). OpenStax.

https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e licensed under CC 4.0

Yoshiwara, K. (2020). Modeling, functions, and graphs. American Institute of

Mathematics. https://yoshiwarabooks.org/mfg/frontmatter.html