St Andrew’s Academy

Mathematics Department

Higher Mathematics

EXPONENTIALS &
LOGARITHMS

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Exponentials and Logarithms

Contents
Exponentials and Logarithms 1
1 Exponentials EF 1
2 Logarithms EF 3
3 Laws of Logarithms EF 3
4 Exponentials and Logarithms to the Base e EF 6
5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations EF 7
6 Graphing with Logarithmic Axes EF 10
7 Graph Transformations EF 14

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 Exponentials and Logarithms
1 Exponentials EF
We have already met exponential functions in the notes on Functions and
Graphs..

A function of the form f ( x ) = a x , where a > 0 is a constant, is known as

an exponential function to the base a.
If a > 1 then the graph looks like this:
y
= y ax, a >1

This is sometimes called a growth

(1, a ) function.
1

O x

If 0 < a < 1 then the graph looks like this:

y
= y ax, 0 < a <1

This is sometimes called a decay function.

1
(1, a )
O x
Remember that the graph of an exponential function f ( x ) = a x always
passes through ( 0,1) and (1, a ) since:
f ( 0=
) a=
0
1, f (1=
) a=
1
a.

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EXAMPLES
1. The otter population on an island increases by 16% per year. How many
full years will it take the population to double?
Let u0 be the initial population.
u1 = 1·16u0 (116% as a decimal)
= =
u2 1·16u1 1·16 (1·16
= u0 ) 1·16 2 u0
= =
u3 1·16 u2 1·16 (1·16=
2
u0 ) 1·163 u0

un = 1·16n u0 .
For the population to double after n years, we require un ≥ 2u0 .
We want to know the smallest n which gives 1·16n a value of 2 or more,
since this will make un at least twice as big as u0 .
Try values of n until this is satisfied.
If=
n =
2, 1·16 2
1·35 < 2 On a calculator: 1 ⋅ 1 6 =
If=
n =
3, 1·16 3
1·56 < 2 1 ⋅ 1 6 ANS =
If=
n =
4, 1·16 4
1·81 < 2 =
If=
n =
5, 1·16 5
2·10 > 2 
Therefore after 5 years the population will double.

2. The efficiency of a machine decreases by 5% each year. When the

efficiency drops below 75%, the machine needs to be serviced.
After how many years will the machine need to be serviced?
Let u0 be the initial efficiency.
u1 = 0·95u0 (95% as a decimal)
= =
u2 0·95 u1 0·95 ( 0·95
= u0 ) 0·952 u0
= =
u3 0·95 u2 0·95 ( 0·95
= 2
u0 ) 0·953 u0

un = 0·95n u0 .
When the efficiency drops below 0·75u0 (75% of the initial value) the
machine must be serviced. So the machine needs serviced after n years if
0·95n ≤ 0·75 .

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 Try values of n until this is satisfied:
=If n 2, = 0·952 0·903 > 0·75
=If n 3, = 0·953 0·857 > 0·75
=If n 4, = 0·954 0·815 > 0·75
=If n 5, = 0·955 0·774 > 0·75
=If n 6, = 0·956 0·735 < 0·75
Therefore after 6 years, the machine will have to be serviced.

2 Logarithms EF
Having previously defined what a logarithm is (see the notes on Functions
and Graphs) we now look in more detail at the properties of these functions.
The relationship between logarithms and exponentials is expressed as:
= x ay
y log a x ⇔= where a, x > 0 .
Here, y is the power of a which gives x.
EXAMPLES
1. Write 53 = 125 in logarithmic form.
53= 125 ⇔ 3= log 5 125 .
2. Evaluate log 4 16 .
The power of 4 which gives 16 is 2, so log 4 16 = 2 .

3 Laws of Logarithms EF
There are three laws of logarithms which you must know.

Rule 1
log a ( xy )
log a x + log a y = where a, x , y > 0 .
If two logarithmic terms with the same base number (a above) are being added
together, then the terms can be combined by multiplying the arguments (x
and y above).
EXAMPLE
1. Simplify log 5 2 + log 5 4 .
log 5 2 + log 5 4
= log 5 ( 2 × 4 )
= log 5 8.

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Rule 2
log a xy
log a x − log a y = ( ) where a, x , y > 0 .

If a logarithmic term is being subtracted from another logarithmic term with

the same base number (a above), then the terms can be combined by dividing
the arguments (x and y in this case).
Note that the argument which is being taken away (y above) appears on the
bottom of the fraction when the two terms are combined.
EXAMPLE
2. Evaluate log 4 6 − log 4 3 .
log 4 6 − log 4 3
( )
= log 4 63
= log 4 2
1
= 12 (since 4=
2
=
4 2).

Rule 3
log a x n = n log a x where a, x > 0 .
The power of the argument (n above) can come to the front of the term as a
multiplier, and vice-versa.
EXAMPLE
3. Express 2 log 7 3 in the form log 7 a .
2 log 7 3
= log 7 32
= log 7 9.

Squash, Split and Fly

You may find the following names are a simpler way to remember the laws of
logarithms.
• log a ( xy ) – the arguments are squashed together by
log a x + log a y =
multiplying.

• log a x − log a y = ( )
log a xy – the arguments are split into a fraction.

• log a x n = n log a x – the power of an argument can fly to the front of the
log term and vice-versa.

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 Note
When working with logarithms, you should remember:
log a 1 = 0 since a 0 = 1 , log a a = 1 since a1 = a .
EXAMPLE
4. Evaluate log 7 7 + log 3 3 .
log 7 7 + log 3 3
= 1+1
= 2.
Combining several log terms
When adding and subtracting several log terms in the form log a b , there is a
simple way to combine all the terms in one step.
arguments of positive log terms
log a ( )
arguments of negative log terms
 Multiply the arguments of the positive log terms in the numerator.
 Multiply the arguments of the negative log terms in the denominator.

EXAMPLES
5. Evaluate log12 10 + log12 6 − log12 5 .
log12 10 + log12 6 − log12 5
+ log12 10 + log12 6
 10 × 6 
= log12 
 5 
 log12 ( )
= log12 12 − log12 5
= 1.
6. Evaluate log 6 4 + 2 log 6 3 .
log 6 4 + 2 log 6 3 OR log 6 4 + 2 log 6 3
= log 6 4 + log 6 32 = log 6 22 + 2 log 6 3
= log 6 4 + log 6 9 = 2 log 6 2 + 2 log 6 3
= log 6 ( 4 × 9 ) = 2 ( log 6 2 + log 6 3 )
= log 6 36 = 2 ( log 6 ( 2 × 3 ) )
= 2=
(since 6 36). 2
= 2 log 6 6
= 2= (since log 6 6 1).

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4 Exponentials and Logarithms to the Base e EF
The constant e is an important number in Mathematics, and occurs
frequently in models of real-life situations. Its value is roughly 2⋅718281828
(to 9 d.p.), and is defined as:

( )
e= 1 +
1 n
n
as n → ∞ .

If you try very large values of n on your calculator, you will get close to the
value of e. Like π , e is an irrational number.
Throughout this section, we will use e in expressions of the form:
• e x , which is called an exponential to the base e;
• log e x , which is called a logarithm to the base e. This is also known as the
natural logarithm of x, and is often written as ln x (i.e. ln x ≡ log e x ).
EXAMPLES
1. Calculate the value of log e 8 .
log e 8 = 2.08 (to 2 d.p.). On a calculator: ln 8 =

2. Solve log e x = 9 .
log e x = 9
so x = e 9 On a calculator: ex 9 =
x = 8103·08 (to 2 d.p.).
3. Simplify 4 log e ( 2e ) − 3log e ( 3e ) expressing your answer in the form
a + log e b − log e c where a, b and c are whole numbers.
4 log e ( 2e ) − 3log e ( 3e ) OR 4 log e ( 2e ) − 3log e ( 3e )
= 4 log e 2 + 4 log e e − 3log e 3 − 3log e =
e log e ( 2e ) − log e ( 3e )
4 3

= 4 log e 2 + 4 − 3log e 3 − 3  ( 2e )4 
= log e 
= 1 + 4 log e 2 − 3log e 3  ( 3e )3 
 
= 1 + log e 2 4 − log e 33 Remember
 16e 4

= 1 + log e 16 − log e 27. = log e  3  (

n
ab ) = anbn .
 27e 
 16e 
= log e  
 27 
=log e e + log e 16 − log e 27
= 1 + log e 16 − log e 27.

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5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations EF
Many mathematical models of real-life situations use exponentials and
logarithms. It is important to become familiar with using the laws of
logarithms to help solve equations.
EXAMPLES
1. Solve log a 13 + log a x =
log a 273 for x > 0 .
log a 13 + log a x = log a 273
log a 13 x = log a 273
13=x 273 (since log a=
x log a y ⇔=
x y)
x = 21.
1 for x > 32 .
2. Solve log11 ( 4 x + 3 ) − log11 ( 2 x − 3 ) =
log11 ( 4 x + 3 ) − log11 ( 2 x − 3 ) =
1
 4x + 3 
log11   =1
 2x − 3 
4x + 3
= 111 = 11 (since log a x = y ⇔ x = a y )
2x − 3
4 x +=3 11( 2 x − 3 )
4 x + 3= 22 x − 33
18 x = 36
x = 2.
3. Solve log a ( 2 p + 1) + log a ( 3 p − 10 ) =
log a (11 p ) for p > 4 .
log a ( 2 p + 1) + log a ( 3 p − 10 ) =
log a (11 p )
log a ( 2 p + 1)( 3 p − 10 )  =
log a (11 p )
( 2 p + 1)( 3 p − 10 ) =
11 p
6 p 2 − 20 p + 3 p − 10 − 11 p =
0
6 p 2 − 28 p − 10 =
0
( 3 p + 1)( p − 5) =
0
3 p +1 =0 or p −5 = 0
p = − 13 p = 5.
Since we require p > 4 , p = 5 is the solution.

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 Dealing with Constants
Sometimes it may help to write constants as logs to solve equations.
EXAMPLE
=
4. Solve log 27 log 2 x + 3 for x > 0 .
Write 3 in logarithmic form: OR =
log 27 log 2 x + 3
log 2 7 − log 2 x =
3
3= 3 × 1
= 3log
= 22 (since log 2 2 1) ( )
log 2 7x = 3.

= log 2 23 Converting from log to

= log 2 8. exponential form:
7 = 23
Use this in the equation: x
x = 273
=
log 27 log 2 x + log 2 8
= 78 .
log 2 7 = log 2 8 x
7 = 8x
x = 78 .

Solving Equations with unknown Exponents

If an unknown value (e.g. x) is the power of a term (e.g. e x or 10 x ), and its
value is to be calculated, then we must take logs on both sides of the equation
to allow it to be solved.
The same solution will be reached using any base, but calculators can be used
for evaluating logs to the base e and 10.
EXAMPLES
5. Solve e x = 7 .
Taking log e of both sides: OR Taking log10 of both sides:
log e e x = log e 7 log10 e x = log10 7
=
x log e e log= e 7 ( log e e 1) x log10 e = log10 7
x = log e 7 log 7
x = 10
x = 1·946 (to 3 d.p.). log10 e
x = 1·946 (to 3 d.p.).

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6. Solve 53 x+1 = 40 .
log e 53 x +1 = log e 40 Note
log10 could have been
( 3 x + 1) loge 5 =
log e 40
used instead of log e .
log 40
3x + 1 = e
log e 5
3x + 1 = 2·2920
3 x = 1·2920
x = 0·431 (to 3 d.p.).

Exponential Growth and Decay

Recall from Section 1 that exponential functions are sometimes known as
growth or decay functions. These often occur in models of real-life situations.
For instance, radioactive decay can be modelled using an exponential
function. An important measurement is the half-life of a radioactive
substance, which is the time taken for the mass of the radioactive substance
to halve.
EXAMPLE
7. The mass G grams of a radioactive sample after time t years is given by
the formula G = 100e −3t .
(a) What is the initial mass of radioactive substance in the sample?
(b) Find the half-life of the radioactive substance.
(a) The initial mass was present when t = 0 :
G = 100e −3×0
= 100e 0
= 100.
So the initial mass was 100 grams.
(b) The half-life is the time t at which G = 50 , so
100e −3t = 50
e −3t = 12
−3t = log e ( 12 ) (converting to log form)
t = 0.231 (to 3 d.p.).
So the half-life is 0.231 years, roughly 0.231 × 356 =
84.315 days.

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 8. The world population, in billions, t years after 1950 is given by
P = 2.54e 0 0178t .
.

(a) What was the world population in 1950?

(b) Find, to the nearest year, the time taken for the world population to
double.
(a) For 1950, t = 0 :
P = 2.54e 0 0178×0
.

= 2.54e 0
= 2.54.
So the world population in 1950 was 2.54 billion.
(b) For the population to double:
2.54e 0 0178t = 2 × 2.54
.

.
e 0 0178t = 2
0.0178t = log e 2 (converting to log form)
t = 38.94 (to 2 d.p.).
So the population doubled after 39 years (to the nearest year).

6 Graphing with Logarithmic Axes EF

It is common in applications to find an exponential relationship between
variables; for instance, the relationship between the world population and
time in the example above. Given some data (e.g. from an experiment) we
would like to find an explicit equation for the relationship.

Relationships of the form y = abx

Suppose we have an exponential graph y = ab x , where a,b > 0 .
y
y = ab x

O x

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Taking logarithms we find that
log e y = log e ( ab x )
= log e a + log e b x
= log e a + x log e b.
We can scale the y-axis so that Y = log e y ; the Y-axis is called a logarithmic
form Y ( log e b ) x + log e a , which is a
axis. Now our relationship is of the =
straight line in the ( x ,Y ) -plane.
Y
=Y ( loge b ) x + loge a
gradient is log e b
log e a

O x
Since this is just a straight line, we can use known points to find the gradient
log e b and the Y-axis intercept log e a . From these we can easily find the
values of a and b, and hence specify the equation y = ab x .
EXAMPLES
1. The relationship between two variables, x and y, is of the form y = ab x ,
where a and b are constants. An experiment to test this relationship
produced the data shown in the graph, where log e y is plotted against x.
log e y
( 7,5)
3

O x
Find the values of a and b.
We ned to obtain a straight line equation:
y = ab x
log e y = log e ab x (taking logs of both sides)
x
=
log e y log e a + log e b
=
log e y log e a + x log e b
=Y ( loge b ) x + loge a.
From the graph, the Y-axis intercept is log e a = 3 ; so a = e 3 .

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 Using the gradient formula:
5−3
log e b =
7 −0
= 72
2
b = e7.
2. The results from an experiment were noted as follows:
x 1⋅30 2⋅00 2⋅30 2⋅80
2⋅04 2⋅56 2⋅78 3⋅14
The relationship between these data can be written in the form y = ab x .
Find the values of a and b, and state the formula for y in terms of x.
We need to obtain a straight line equation:
y = ab x
log e y = log e ab x (taking logs of both sides)
x
=
log e y log e a + log e b
=
log e y log e a + x log e b
=
log e y ( loge b ) x + loge a.
We can find the gradient log e b (and hence b), using two points on the
line: using (1.30,2.04 ) and ( 2.80,3.14 ) ,

3.14 − 2.04
=
log e b = 0.73 (to 2 d.p.).
2.80 − 1.30
So=
b e=
0.73
2.08 (to 2 d.p.).
=
Note that log .
e y 0 73 x + log e a . We can work out log e a (and hence a)
by substituting a point into this equation: using (1.30,2.04 ) ,
2.04 = 0.73 × 1.30 + log e a
log e a = 2.04 − 0.73 × 1.30
= 1.09 (to 2 d.p.)
.
a = e 1 09 Note
Depending on the
= 2.97 (to 2 d.p.).
points used, slightly
different values for a and
Therefore=y 2.97 × 2.08x . b may be obtained.

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Equations in the form y = axb
Another common relationship is y = ax b , where a > 0 . In this case, the
relationship can be represented by a straight line if we change both axes to
logarithmic ones.
EXAMPLE
3. The results from an experiment were noted as follows:
1⋅70 2⋅29 2⋅70 2⋅85
1⋅33 1⋅67 1⋅92 2⋅01

The relationship between these data can be written in the form y = ax b .

Find the values of a and b, and state the formula for y in terms of x.
We need to obtain a straight line equation:
y = ax b
log10 y = log10 ax b (taking logs of both sides)
=
log10 y log10 a + log10 x b
=
log10 y log10 a + b log10 x
=
Y bX + log10 a.
We can find the gradient b, using two points on the line: using
(1·70,1·33 ) and ( 2·85, 2·01) ,
2·01 − 1·33
=b = 0·59 (to 2 d.p.)
2·85 − 1·70
=
So log10 y 0·59log10 x + log10 a .
Now we can work out a by substituting a point into this equation: using
(1·70,1·33 ) ,
1·33 = 0·59 × 1·70 + log10 a
log10 a = 1·33 − 0·59 × 1·70
= 0·33
a = 100·33
= 2·14 (to 2 d.p.).
Therefore y = 2·14 x 0·59 .

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7 Graph Transformations EF
Graph transformations were covered in the notes on Functions and Graphs,
but we can now look in more detail at applying transformations to graphs of
exponential and logarithmic functions.
EXAMPLES
1. Shown below is the graph of y = f ( x ) where f ( x ) = log 3 x .
y y = f (x)
( 9,a )

O 1 x

(a) State the value of a.

(b) Sketch the graph of y= f ( x + 2 ) + 1 .
(a) a = log 3 9
= 2=
(since 32 9).
(b)The graph shifts two units to the left, and one unit upwards:
y
y= f ( x + 2 ) + 1
y = −2
( 7,3 )

( −1,1)
O x
2. Shown below is part of the graph of y = log 5 x .
y y = f (x)
(5,1)

O 1 x

Sketch the graph of y = log 5 ()

1
x
.

y = log 5 ( 1x ) y
y = log 5 ( 1x )
= log 5 x −1
O 1 x
= − log 5 x
(5, −1)
So reflect in the x-axis.

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3. The diagram shows the graph of y = 2 x .
y
y = 2x

(1,2 )
1

O x
On separate diagrams, sketch the graphs of:
(a) y = 2 − x ;
(b) y = 22− x .
(a) Reflect in the y-axis:
y

( −1,2 ) y = 2− x
1
O x

(b) y = 22− x
= 222 − x
= 4 × 2− x.
So scale the graph from (a) by 4 in the y-direction:
y

( −1,8)

4 y = 22− x

O x

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Exercise 1 : Exponentials

Exercise 2 : Exponential Growth and Decay

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Exercise 3 : Logarithms

Exercise 4 : Laws of Logarithms

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Exercise 5 : Further manipulation with Logarithms

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Exercise 6 : Logs to base 10 and Natural Logarithms

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21
Exercise 7 : Logarithmic Equations

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Exercise 8 : Exponential Growth and Decay

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Exercise 9 :

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25
Exercise 10 :

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Exercise 11 : Graph Transformations

Exercise 12

1. The diagram shows part of the graph

of y = log3 x.

(a) Find the values of a and b.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = log3(x + 1) – 3.

2. The diagram shows part of the graph of

y = log2 x.

(a) Find the value of a.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = log2 x – 4.
(c) Sketch the graph of y = log2 8x.

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3. The diagram shows part of the graph of
y =log5 x.

(a) Find a and b.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = log5 5x.
(c) Sketch the graph of y = log5 x2
1
(d) Sketch the graph of y = log5 .
x

4. The diagram shows part of the graph of

y = log4 x.

(a) Find a.
(b) Sketch the graph of y = log4 4x.
(c) Sketch the graph of y = log4 x3

5. The diagram shows part of the graph of

y = loga x.

(a) Determine the value of a.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = loga 9x2
1
(c) Sketch the graph of y = loga .
x

6. The diagram shows the graph of

y = logb (x + a).

Find the values of a and b.

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7. The diagram shows the graph of
y = logb (x + a).

Find a and b.

8. The diagram shows the graph of

y = alog3 (x – b).

Find a and b.

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ANSWERS
Exercise 1 :

Exercise 2 : Exercise 3 :

30
Exercise 4 : Exercise 5 :

Exercise 6 :

31
Exercise 7 :

Exercise 8 :

32
Exercise 9 :

Exercise 10 :

33
Exercise 11 :

34
Higher : Exponential & Logs Revision
2008 P1

Ans B
2008 P1

Ans D

35
 2008 P1

Ans
2007 P2

Ans 12.2

1
2007 P2

Ans
2006 P1

Ans a = 2

36
 Ans
Ans
Ans
Ans
Ans
2004 P1 2005 P2 2005 P2 2005 P1 2006 P2

37
4
4
1
4
1
2
5
 2002W

Ans
Ans
Ans
Ans
2003 P2 2003 P1 2004 P2
P1

38
3
3
2
4
4
3
 Ans
Ans
Ans
2001 P1 2001 P1 2002 P2 2002 P1 2002W P2

Ans x = 81

39
3
1
3
3
4
4
1
 Ans
Ans
Ans
Specimen 2 P2 2000 P2 2000 P1 2001 P2

Ans 2

40
3
4
4
2
3
3
 Ans
Ans
Ans
Specimen 1 P1 Specimen 2 P2

41
3
3
 Ans
Specimen 1 P2

42
3
 Higher Mathematics
Logs and Exponentials Homework

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