3.4-3.

5 Properties of Logarithmic Functions

and Solving Equations
Learning Targets:
- Properties of Logarithms
- Change of Base
- Graphs of logarithmic functions with base b
- Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
- Modeling and application problems

Let b, R, and S be positive real numbers with b ≠ 1, and c any real

number...
Product Rule:

Quotient Rule:

Power Rule:
Example 1:
Expand:

a)

Write as a single logarithm:

b)
How to Change the Base of Logarithms:

Formula: For positive real numbers, a, b, and x with a ≠1 and b≠1,

Example 2:
Evaluate the following. Give answers to the nearest
hundredth.

a) b)

Example 3:
Describe the transformation from f(x) = ln x to f(x) = log7 x

Describe the transformation from f(x) = ln x to f(x) =2 log3 x

One to One Properties:
For any exponential function ,
if then u = v

For any logarithmic function ,

if then u = v

Example 4: Solve for x.

a) Solve:

b) Solve:

c) Solve:
Example 5: Solve for x.

Example 6: Solve for x.

ln (3x - 2) + ln (x - 1) = 2 ln x
Applications:
• Richter Scale: The magnitude of an earthquake R can be
found with the following equation
> a is amplitude of the wave in micrometers of the vertical ground
motion
> T is the period of the associated seismic wave in seconds
> B accounts for the weakening of the seismic wave with increasing
distance from the epicenter

• pH: The acidity of a water-based solution is measured by the

concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. The measure of
acidity used is pH: +
pH = -log [H ]
• Newton's Law of Cooling: An object that has been heated will
cool to the temperature of the medium in which it is placed. The
temperature T of the object at time t can be modeled by:

T(t)= Temperature at any time t

Tm = Temperature of the medium
T0 = Temperature at t=0
K= Constant
t = time that object has been cooling

Example 7:
A hard-boiled egg at temperature 100oC. is placed in 15oC water to
cool. Five minutes later the temperature of the egg is 55oC. When will
the egg be 25oC.