LOGARITHMIC

FUNCTION
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
• represent real-life situations using logarithmic functions,
• distinguish among logarithmic functions, equations, and
inequality
• illustrate the laws of logarithms
• solve logarithmic equations and inequalities.
• represent a logarithmic function through its
o table of values
o graphs and
o equation
• find the domain and range of a logarithmic function
• determine the intercepts, zeroes, and asymptotes of a
logarithmic function
• graph logarithmic function using Desmos graphing calculator.
• solve problems involving logarithmic functions ,equations, and
inequalities.
Logarithmic Function
A logarithmic function is a function
defined by

For all positive real numbers and , and

Real-life Situations that Involve Logarithmic
Function

 The strength of an earthquake is measured on a

logarithmic scale (Richter Scale) which is based on
the equation

 The height (in meters) above sea level, the air

temperature (in ), the atmospheric pressure (in cm
of Hg), at height , and the atmospheric pressure at
sea level are related by the function
Converting Exponential Form to Logarithmic Form

Exponential Logarithmic
Equation
2 Equation 4 =2
𝑙𝑜𝑔
2 =4 2
3
10 =1,000 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 1,000= 3
1 1
25 2
=5 𝑙𝑜𝑔25 5=
2
16 𝑙𝑜𝑔 4 16 = x
The Logarithm of a Number
The logarithm of a number to the base is the
exponent of the power to which is raised to obtain . In
symbols,
if and only if
Example 1
Evaluate the following
logarithms
Solution

b. c.
let
let let
Solution
Example 2
d. Solve each logarithmic
let equation
Solution
b.

c.
e.
Property of Equality for Logarithmic Equations
Let b be as positive real number and Then

if and only if
Example 3
Solve each logarithmic equation
a. b.
2
𝑥 =4 𝑥 − 4 4 𝑥+1=3 𝑥 − 2
2
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 +4= 0 4 𝑥 −3 𝑥=− 2− 1
2
( 𝑥 − 2) =0 𝒙 =− 𝟑
(multiplicity 2)
Example
Solve each logarithmic
equation.
a.
b.
Solution
a.
Express the equation in logarithmic form

Property of Equality for logarithmic

equations
Solving quadratic equation

Factoring

The solution set is

Solution
b.

Express the equation in logarithmic form

Property of Equality for logarithmic

equations
Applying the law of exponent

The solution set is Property of equality of exponential

equations
 Laws of Logarithm
1st Law:
For any base b,

I. where

Example
Solve each logarithmic equation.
a.
b.
c.
Laws of Logarithm

2nd Law:
The logarithm of the product of positive real numbers
is equal to the sum of the logarithms of the factors to the
given base.

Example 1
Express each logarithm as the sum of simpler
logarithm. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝟐 𝟓+ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐 𝒂+ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐 𝒃
a.
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 𝟐+𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 𝒑 +𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 𝟑+ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 𝒒
b.
Example 2
Express the sum of logarithms as a single logarithm.
a. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝟓 𝟏𝟎 𝒙𝒚
b. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝟏𝟖𝟎

3rd Law:
The logarithm of quotient of two positive real
numbers is equal to the logarithms of the dividend minus
the logarithm of the divisor.
Example 1
Express each logarithm as a sum or difference of
simpler logarithmic expressions.
a. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝟕 𝟓𝟎 − 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟕 𝟑
b.
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒂 𝟐+ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝒙 −𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒂 𝒚
Example 2
Express the difference of logarithms as a single
logarithm. 𝒙
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒂
𝟐 𝒙 +𝟏
a.
𝟖𝟎
b. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 =𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝟏𝟔
𝟓
Laws of Logarithm

4th Law:
The logarithm of the power of a positive real number
is equal to the exponent times the logarithm of the
number to the given base.

Example 1
Express each logarithm as sum or difference of
logarithms. 𝟏
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( 𝒙 +𝟑 ) + 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃 𝟐+𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝒙
a. 𝟐 𝒃

𝟏 𝟏
b. ¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( 𝒂+ 𝟐 ) − 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( 𝒂+𝟑 )
𝟐 𝒙 𝟑 𝒙
Example 2
Express each logarithm as a single logarithm.
a. 𝟑 𝟐
𝒙 𝒚
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃
√𝒛
b. 𝟏 𝟑
𝟒 𝟒
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 ( 𝒙 +𝟓) ( 𝒙 + 𝟓)
𝟏 𝟑
+
𝟒 𝟒
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 ( 𝒙 +𝟓)
𝟏
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 ( 𝒙 +𝟓)
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 ( 𝒙 +𝟓)
 Practice!
Solve each logarithmic equation.
a.
b.
c.
Solution.
a.
Solution. Solution.
b. c.
 Solving Logarithmic Inequalities
Solve each logarithmic inequality.
a.
b.

Solution.
a.
Common Logarithm
• A logarithm to the base of 10.
• Uses in many physical quantities such as the Richter
scale readings of earthquake, decibels of sound and
intensity, and the pH level of chemical substances.
• is written as
• In the integral number is called the , and , a number
greater than or equal to but less than , is called the

The decimal 0.875061 is called the mantissa and the

integer 1 is called the characteristic of log 75.
Change of Base Theorem
If and are positive real numbers, and then

Example
Solve each equation for .
a. b.
3 𝑥 ( 𝑙𝑜𝑔 5 ) − 𝑥 ( 𝑙𝑜𝑔 2 ) =𝑙𝑜𝑔 2
𝑥 (3 𝑙𝑜𝑔 5 −log 2)=𝑙𝑜𝑔 2
𝑙𝑜𝑔 2
𝑥=
(3 𝑙𝑜𝑔 5 − log 2)
𝒙 =𝟎 . 𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟔
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm of a number is denoted by
(read as
implies that
Properties of Natural Logarithms
I.
II.
Example
Solve each equation for .
a.

b.
Solution.
a. b.

or
Solution.
d.
c.

or
or
or raised to any
number is
nonnegative
Graphing Logarithmic Function
Sketch the graphs of and

Use the Desmos Graphing Calculator app to see the

graph, table of values, domain and range, intercepts,
zeroes and asymptotes of the logarithmic function
• The domain of
• The range of
• The graph passes through the point
• The x-intercept is
• The graph is asymptotic to the y-axis
• No y-intercept
• As increases, increases.
Example 2
In one Cartesian coordinate plane, sketch the graphs
of the following:
a. b. c. d.
Example 3
In one Cartesian coordinate plane, sketch the graphs
of the following:
a. b. c. d.
 Solving Problems Involving Logarithmic Functions,
Equations, and Inequalities

Example 1
The Richter scale r, used in measuring the magnitude
of an earthquake, is defined by the formula

a) What is the magnitude on the Richter scale of an

earthquake which is 1,000 times as intense as the
standard one?
b) How many times as intense as the standard one is an
earthquake with magnitude 5 on the Richter scale?
Solution
The Richter scale r, used in measuring the magnitude
of an earthquake, is defined by the formula

a) What is the magnitude on the Richter scale of an

earthquake which is 1,000 times as intense as the
standard one?
Solution
The Richter scale r, used in measuring the magnitude
of an earthquake, is defined by the formula

b) How many times as intense as the standard one is an

earthquake with magnitude 5 on the Richter scale?
let magnitude on the Richter scale
 Solving Problems Involving Logarithmic Functions,
Equations, and Inequalities
Example 2
The intensity of a sound in decibels or commonly known as
loudness is given by the formula

a) Find the rating of a normal voice which is 12,000 times as

intense as the standard one.
b) A normal human hearing can be damaged or lost due to
prolonged exposure to sound with intensity above 85 decibels. A
person who is exposed to a prolonged firecracker launch with
average intensity of times as intense as the standard will
experience harm or a damage hearing.
Solution.

a) Find the rating of a normal voice which is 12,000 times

as intense as the standard one.

Thus, the rating of the normal voice is approximately 41

decibels.
Solution.
b). A normal human hearing can be damaged or lost due to
prolonged exposure to sound with intensity above 85 decibels.
A person who is exposed to a prolonged firecracker launch
with average intensity of times as intense as the standard will
experience harm or a damage hearing.

The firecracker launch can create a noise level of approximately 134

decibels, way above the normal limit of 85 decibels. Therefore, s
person should avoid such area, or use protective gear in the
duration of his /her stay in the area.