Exponential Functions

Exponential Functions
A polynomial function has the basic form: f (x) =
x3

An exponential function has the basic form: f (x)

= 3x

An exponential function has the variable in the

exponent, not in the base.

General Form of an Exponential Function:

Why study exponential functions?

Exponential functions are used in our real world to

measure growth, interest, and decay.

Growth obeys exponential functions.

Ex: rumors, human population, bacteria, computer
technology, nuclear chain reactions, compound
interest

Decay obeys exponential functions.

Ex: Carbon-14 dating, half-life, Newton’s Law of
Cooling
Properties of Exponents
X
X
A A  A Y X Y A XY
Y
 A
A
A 
X Y
 A XY X
A  X
1
A
 AB 
X X X
A B 1 X
X
 A
X
A
X
 A A
   X
 A
X X
Y X
 B B A Y
 A  Y
Properties of Exponents

• Simplify: 2 3
2 2  2 32 5

2 6 1 1 4
2 2  2  4 
2 16

2 
3 2
 26 64
Properties of Exponents
3 3 3
 2 2 3 27
• Simplify:    3  3 
 3 3 2 8

7
3 2 1 1
9
3  2 
3 3 9

2 8  2 8

1 1 1
2 2 2
 16 2  16 4
1
Exponential Equations
x ( x  1) 1
 Solve: 5 125  Solve: 7 7 2
5 x 53 x  1  12
x 3 x  12
Exponential Equations
x x
 Solve: 8 2 Solve: 8 4

2  3 x 1
2 2 
3 x
2 2

3x 1
2 2 3x
2 2 2

3 x 1 3 x 2

x  13 x  23
Exponential Equations
 Solve: 
1 x
3 27 Solve: x
1
3
27

3   
3
1 x 1
27 x 3
273
x
3 3 3 x 19,683

 x 3 Not considered an
exponential equation,
because the variable
is now in the base.
x  3
Exponential Equations

• Solve: 3
x 4 8
Not considered an
 
4
3 3 4
exponential equation,
because the variable
x 4
8 3
is in the base.

 
4
x 38

x 2 
4

x 16
Exponential Functions
• General Form of an Exponential Function:
f (x) = Nx, N > 0

g(x) = 2x g(3) = 8
g(2) = 4
x
g(1) = 2
g(0) = 1
g(–1) = 2 1  12
g(–2) = 2 2  2  14
1
2x 2
Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x
x g x 

2 4

1 2

0 1
1
–1 2

1
–2 4
Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x
Exponential Functions
h(x) = 3x
x h x 

2 9

1 3

0 1
1
–1 3

1
–2 9
Exponential Functions
h(x) = 3x
Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x (blue) Exponential functions
with positive bases
greater than 1 have
graphs that are
increasing.

The function never

crosses the x-axis
because there is
nothing we can plug in
h(x) = 3x (red) for x that will yield a
zero answer.

The x-axis is a left

horizontal asymptote.
Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x (blue) A smaller base means
the graph rises more
gradually.

A larger base means

the graph rises more
quickly.

h(x) = 3x (red) Exponential functions

will not have negative
bases.
The Exponential Function
f (x) = ex
Exponential Functions
j  x   1 x
2 
x j x 
1
2 4

1
1 2

0 1
–1 2

–2 4
Exponential Functions
j  x   
1 x
2

• Exponential functions with positive bases less

than 1 have graphs that are decreasing.
 Definition of Logarithmic
Function
A logarithmic function is a function
defined by y = logb x, if and only if x
= by for all positive real numbers x
and b, and b ≠ 1.
 Definition of Logarithmic
Function
A logarithmic function is a function
defined by y = logb x, if and only if x
= by for all positive real numbers x
and b, and b ≠ 1.

“y is equal to the logarithm of x to the base b”

Solving Logarithmic Equations
A logarithmic equation in one
variable is an equation involving
logarithms of expression containing
the variable.
Solving Logarithmic Equations
A logarithmic equation in one
variable is an equation involving
logarithms of expression containing
the variable.
Exponential Logarithmic
Equation Equation
22 = 4 log2 4 = 2
103 = 1000 log10 1000 = 3
25½ = 5 log25 5 = ½
4x = 16 log 16 = x
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1 log7 1 = 0
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1 log5 1 = 0
35 = 243
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1 log5 1 = 0
35 = 243 log3 243 = 5
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1 log5 1 = 0
35 = 243 log2 32 = 5
ab = c
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1 log5 1 = 0
35 = 243 log2 32 = 5
ab = c loga c = b
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1
35 = 243
ab = c
16-3/4 = 1/8
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Exponential Equation Logarithmic Equation
70 = 1
35 = 243
ab = c
16-3/4 = 1/8 log16 1/8 = -¾
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3 1353 = 2460375
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3 1353 = 2460375
logr q = s
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3 1353 = 2460375
logr q = s rs = q
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3 1353 = 2460375
logr q = s rs = q
log6 1/1296 = -4
Express each exponential equation in its
equivalent logarithmic equation.
Logarithmic Exponential
Equation Equation
log5 125 = 3 53 = 125
log135 2460375 = 3 1353 = 2460375
logr q = s rs = q
log6 1/1296 = -4 6-4 = 1/1296
The Logarithm of a Number
The logarithm of a number N to the
base b is the exponent of the power to
which b is raised to obtain N. In
symbols,
logb N = x if and only if bx = N.
Evaluate the following logarithms.
log1/2 64
Solve each logarithmic equation.
logn 1/8 = -3
Written Work 3.2
Answer Reinforcement 3.2.2 (A, even
numbers only) (B, odd numbers only) and
(C, 6 - 10 only) on pages 106 - 107.
Property of Equality for
Logarithmic Equations
Let b be a positive real number and b
≠ 1. Then,
logb M = logb N

if and only if M = N.
Solve each logarithmic equation.
log5 (x + 1)2 = log5 (x2 – 3)
Laws of Logarithm

1st Law of Logarithms

For any base b,
i. logb b = 1
ii. logb 1 = 0
iii. logb bx = x (b > 0, b ≠ 1)
Evaluate.
Solve.
Laws of Logarithm

2nd Law of Logarithms: Logarithm of

Products
logb MN = logb M + logb N
Express as the sum of simpler logarithmic
expressions.
log3 (6xz)
Express as a single logarithm.
log5 m + log5 12 + log5 n
Laws of Logarithm

3rd Law of Logarithms: Logarithm of

Quotients
logb M/N = logb M – logb N
Express as the sum or difference of simpler
logarithmic expressions.
log7 20/3
Express the difference of logarithms as a single
logarithm.
log a – log (3a – 1)
Laws of Logarithm

4th Law of Logarithms: Logarithm of

Power
logb Ma = alogb M
Express as a sum or difference of logarithms.
logm (n – 2)½(4n)
Express each as a single logarithm.