Math 1113 Holliday Fall 2020

Section 4.3 - Logarithmic Functions

Logarithmic Functions
Definition: Let a be a positive number with a = 6 1. The logarithmic function
with base a, denoted by loga , is defined by:
loga x = y ↔ ay = x

Example: Convert each of the following logarithms into exponential form:

1. log4 64 = 3

2. log2 8 = 3

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3. log4 2 =
2

Example: Convert each of the following exponential forms into logarithmic form:

1. 62 = 36

2. 10−1 = 1
10

3. e3 = y

Example: Use the definition of the logarithm to solve for x:

1. log2 (x) = 5

 
1
2. log7 =x
49

3
3. logx (8) =
2

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Math 1113 Holliday Fall 2020

Special logs
The Common log

The natural log

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Inverses of exponential functions

Example: Find the inverse function of f (x) = log3 (x).

Graphs of Log functions

Example: Sketch the graph of f (x) = loga (x) where a > 1.

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. Examples: Sketch the graphs of the following log functions:

1. f (x) = log6 (x − 3)

2. f (x) = log3 (x − 1) − 2

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Math 1113 Holliday Fall 2020

Domains of log functions

Examples: Give the domain of each of the following logs:

1. f (x) = log8 (8 − 2x)

2. g(x) = ln (x) + ln (2 − x)