7-3 Logarithmic
Functions and Inverses
Kiran Satyavarapu
Algebra II
Coolidge High School
Objectives
To write and evaluate logarithmic expressions
Logarithms vs Exponents
2 (8) = _____ ?
What number goes in the box so that 2 raised to
that power gives you 8?
2 (16) = _____ ?
2 (2) = _____ ?
3 (9) = _____ ?
Continuation
Now how about this example?
2 (1/2) = _____ ?
Consider the example, 2 -1 =___
So how much is 2 (1/2) = _____ ?
How about 3 (1/9) = _____ ?
Continuation
Finally, how much is 2 (1) = _____ ?
Finally, how much is 3 (1) = _____ ?
Conclusion
The relation between Logarithmic functions
and exponential functions:
y = 2 (x) is the inverse of y = 2x
What is a logarithm?
A logarithm is the power to which a number must be
raised in order to get some other number
If x b , then log b x y
y
Exponential form in Logarithmic
form
100 = 102
81 = 34
36 = 62
Evaluate Logarithm
What is the value of log832?
Example 2
Evaluate the Logarithm log5125
Book Work
Page = 456
Problems = 12 31
Where? Separate Sheet of paper
Yes! Turn it in the bin
UP, DOWN, UP
If y b x , then
If log b y x then
If 7 3x , then
If log 4 64 3 then
Ex: Write the following equations in logarithmic form
Remember: If y = bx then logby = x
If 25 = 5
If 729 = 3
If 1 = 10
then
then
then
Log525=2
Log3729=6
Log101=0
If
1
2
then
1
1
8
log 1 ( ) 3
2 8
Lets try some:
Converting between the two forms.
Expo Form
3x 7
Log Form
log 3 7 x
10 2 100
log10 100 2
4 64
log 4 64 3
log5 251 2
5 2
1
25
1
32
log 2
1
5
32
32 9
log3 9 2
10 1000
log10 1000 3
Lets pause for a second . . .
If y = bx then logby = x
x in the exponential expression bx is the logarithm in the
equation logby=x
The base b in bx is the same as the base b in the logarithm
NOTE: b does not =1 and must be greater than 0
The logarithm of a negative number or zero is undefines.
Common Logs
A common log is a logarithm that uses base 10.
You can write the common logarithm log10y as
log y
Scientists use common logarithms to measure
acidity, which increases as the concentration of
hydrogen ions in a substance. The pH of a
substance equals log H , where H is the concentration
of hydrogen ions.
Evaluating Logarithms
Ex: Evaluate log816
Log816=x
Write an equation in log form
16 = 8x
24 = (23)x
Convert to exponential form
Rewrite using the same base. In
this case, base of 2
Power of exponents
Set the exponents equal to each other
Solve for x
24 = 23x
4 = 3x
x=4/3
Therefore, Log816=4/3
Evaluating Logarithms
Ex: Evaluate log 64
log 64
1
32
1
x
Write an equation in log form
32
1
64 x
32
Convert to exponential form
1
6x
5
6 x Rewrite using the same base. In
2
25
this case, base of 2. Use negative expos!
-5 = 6x
x=-5/6
Set the exponents equal to each other
Solve for x
1
5
Therefore,log 64
32
6
Lets try some
Evaluate the following:
log 9 27
log10 100
Lets try some
Evaluate the following:
log 9 27
log10 100
Graphs of Logarithmic Functions
A logarithmic function is the inverse of an
exponential function
In other words, y= 10x
and y=log10x are
inverses of each other.
y = 10x
Y = log10x
Where is the line of
reflection?
Lets try a more complicated one
Find the inverse of y=log5(x-1)+2
y=log5(x -1)+2
x=log5(y -1)+2
Start with the original function
Switch the x and y
x-2=log5(y -1)
Subtract 2 from both sides
y-1=5(x-2)
Rewrite in y=abx form
y=5(x-2)+1
Add 1 to both sides
The inverse of y=log5(x-1)+2 is y=5(x-2)+1
Lets try some
Find the inverse of each function:
Y=log0.5x
y=log5x2
y=log(x-2)
Hint: what is
the base?
Solutions
Find the inverse of each function:
Y=log0.5x
y=log5x2
y=log(x-2)
How does this help us?
We dont have a way to graph a log, BUT we can
graph an exponential function. If we can find the
inverse of the log function and graph it, the graph of
the log is simply the reflection of the exponential
function.
Lets start with an easy one: what is the inverse of
y=log2x?
y=2x
Now, make a table of values:
Graph of y=log2x and y=2
Make a table of values
and graph y=2x
X
y=2x
-3
0.125
-2
0.25
-1
0.5
What is the domain and range
of this function?
D: all real numbers. R: y>0
Graph of y=log2x and y=2
Now, reverse the coordinates to graph
y=log2x
x
y=2x
0.125
-3
0.25
-2
0.5
-1
Prediction: what will it
look like?
What is the domain and range
of this function?
D: x>0. R: all real numbers
Graph of y=log2x and y=2
Graphing both
functions, we get
this.
Where is the line of
reflection?
y=x
Lets try one:
Graph y=log3(x+3). Determine the domain
and range.
Lets try one:
Graph y=log3(x+3)
Lets try one:
Graph y=log3(x+3)
Lets try one:
Graph y=log3(x+3)
Determining the domain and range
y=log2x
Domain: x>0
Range: all real
numbers
y=log3(x+3)
Domain: x>-3
Range: all real
numbers
How can you predict the domain and range without graphing?
Write a sentence summarizing how to determine domain and range.
Predict: what is the domain and range
of y=log3(x-2) and y=log3(x)+1
y=log3(x-2)
Domain: x>2
Range: all real
numbers
y=log3(x)+1
Domain: x>0
Range: all real numbers
Note: the +1 moves the
parent graph up but does
not affect the left or right
translation, so the domain
remains x>0
