GENERAL MATHEMATICS

Graph of Logarithmic Function

The graph of a logarithmic function, 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃(a), is not just about the ordered pairs as set by some
particular values which we call the domain and results to another set of values, called range. Inside the graph,
we can also observe the presence of its intercepts, (1,0). The line produced by x=0 serves as the vertical
asymptote leading to no horizontal asymptote. This function reflects a one-to-one function that satisfies a
Horizontal Line Test.

𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃(a)

(1, 0)

X=0

Sample Problem: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐)

This is the graph of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 – 𝟐)

Find the following: (a) Domain, (b) Range, (c) x intercept, (d) Asymptote, and (e) Zeroes of the Function

Step 1: Find the Domain.

Domain refers to the set of values that will serve as your input values. As one of the characteristics of the
graph of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃(a), we set the function greater than 0. This gives us:

Pattern: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃(a) Given: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 – 𝟐)

b=2
a= x-2
Solution: x-2 > 0
x>2
Thus, the domain of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐) is all numbers greater than 2 with an interval notation of (2, ∞)

Step 2: Find the Range.

Range refers to the set of values that results are dependent to the stated function. Therefore, the range of the
given function is (-∞, ∞).

Step 3: Determine the x intercept.

X Intercept is the point of the curve made by the function that intersects x-axis. Going back to the graph of our
given function, it intersects the point (3,0).
 x-int; y= 0
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 – 𝟐)
y = log2 (x-2)
2y = x – 2
20 = x – 2
1=x–2 (3, 0)
x=3
Therefore, (3,0)

Step 4: Determine the asymptote.

An asymptote is a line that becomes closer and closer to the curve but never touches. In the case of
logarithmic functions, only the vertical asymptote is present.

For asymptote
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 – 𝟐) Eq. of the line x = 2
y = log2 (x-2)
2y = x – 2

Domain: x – 2 > 0
x>2

Asymptote: x – 2 = 0
x=2

Step 5: Determine the zeroes of the function.

Solving the zeroes of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐(𝒙 – 𝟐) ...
y = log2 (x-2) where y = 0
0 = log2(x-2)
20 = x – 2
1=x–2
x=3
Therefore x = 3 or (3,0) is the zeroes of the given function.

Practice Problems

Find the following: (a) Domain, (b) Range, (c) x intercept, (d) Asymptote, and (e) Zeroes of the Function

1. 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟓(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) Answers:

a) 2x + 1> 0 or x > -1/2
Interval notation: (-1/2, ∞)
b) (-∞, ∞)
c) x = 0 or (0, 0)
d) Vertical asymptote (x = -1/2)
e) x = 0 or (0, 0)

2. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟓(𝒙 − 4) Answers:

a) x>4
Interval notation: (4, ∞)
b) (-∞, ∞)
c) x = 5 or (5, 0)
d) Vertical asymptote (x = 4)
e) x = 5 or (5, 0)
Supplementary Problems

Find the following: (a) Domain, (b) Range, (c) x intercept, (d) Asymptote, and (e) Zeroes of the Function.
Note: For asymptote, draw it in the graph

1. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈3(2𝒙 −5)

2. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈2(𝒙 + 5)
3. 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟑(𝒙 + 𝟏)
4. 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟒(𝒙) + 𝟐
5. 𝒈(𝒙) = 3𝒍𝒐𝒈2(x+2) - 3

Problem Solving in Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

Logarithmic Functions, Logarithmic Equations, and Logarithmic Inequalities are significant tools in
solving real-life problems. Some examples are: sound intensity, earthquake intensity, and many more.

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY

One example of a real-life situation where we can use Logarithm is determining the earthquake
intensity. Earthquake is measured by magnitude using Richter Scale.

Richter Scale is a logarithmic scale use to measure the intensity of an earthquake proposed in 1935 by
Charles Richter. He defined the magnitude of an earthquake as a logarithmic function of its amplitude
measured on a standard seismograph. The formula written below gives the same result but is based on the
energy released by the earthquake.

The magnitude (𝑅) on a Richter Scale with respect to the energy released (𝐸) by the earthquake. 104.40
joules measurement is a very small reference earthquake also known as the standardized earthquake
intensity (𝐸0).

SAMPLE PROBLEM #1

A certain earthquake released approximately 2.56 × 1015 joules of energy. Answer the following questions:
a. What was the magnitude of the earthquake on the Richter Scale?
b. How many times more severe is this earthquake than the standard intensity?

To solve this problem, let us first identify the given and the unknown
Given: E= 2.56 × 1015 joules
Find: a) R = ? b) E1/E0 = ?
Solution:
a) Solving for R
2 𝐸
𝑅 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 ---------------> Formula
3 104.40
Substitute the given and simplify,

2 2.56×1015
𝑅 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔
3 104.40

2
𝑅 = (𝑙𝑜𝑔 2.56 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 1015 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 104.40)
3
2
𝑅 = (𝑙𝑜𝑔 2.56 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔1010.6 )
3
2
𝑅 = (𝑙𝑜𝑔 2.56 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔1010.6 )
3
2
𝑅 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (2.56 × 1010.6 )
3
𝑹 = 𝟕. 𝟑𝟒

The magnitude of an earthquake with approximately 2.56 𝑥 1015 joules of energy is approximately 7.34.
 b) To answer the question, we may consider the formula: E1/E0
E1 = E = 2.56x1015, Since the energy release by the earthquake is 2.56 𝑥 1015

𝑬𝟏 𝟐.𝟓𝟔×𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓
= = 101915435661. 70 ≈ 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟓𝟒𝟑𝟓𝟔𝟔𝟐
𝑬𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟒.𝟒𝟎
Thus, the earthquake is approximately 101915435662 times more severe than that of the standard
intensity.

SOUND INTENSITY

Another real-life situation in Logarithm is the sound intensity. Sound intensity is measured by decibels
(𝒅𝑩), named after the inventor Alexander Graham Bell. And this is defined as follows;

Where 𝐼 is the sound intensity in 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚 2 (the quantity 10-12 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2 is the least audible sound a human can
hear thus also known as the standardized sound intensity).

SAMPLE PROBLEM #2

A heavy traffic on a rush hour in EDSA brings the sound intensity to 8.5 × 10 -4 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.

a. Determine the number of decibels produced by heavy traffic.

b. How many times more intense is the sound produced by a heavy traffic than the standard sound
intensity.

To solve this problem, let us first identify the given and the unknown
Given: I = 8.5 × 10-4 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2
Find: a) D= ? b) I1/I0 = ?
Solution:
a) Solving for D
𝐼
𝐷 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔 -------------> Formula
10−12
Substitute the given and simplify,
8.5×10−4
𝐷 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔
10−12
𝐷 = 10 (𝑙𝑜𝑔8.5 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔10−4 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔10−12 )
𝐷 = 10 (𝑙𝑜𝑔8.5 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔108 )
𝐷 = 10 log (8.5 × 108 )
𝑫 = 𝟖𝟗. 𝟐𝟗𝟒𝟐 𝒅𝑩
The Decibel reading with approximately 8.5 × 10-4 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2 sound intensity is approximately 89.2942 𝑑𝐵.

b. To answer the question, we may consider the formula: I1/I0

I1 = I = 8.5 × 10-4 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2, since the energy release by the earthquake is 8.5 × 10-4 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2
𝑰𝟏 𝟖.𝟓×𝟏𝟎 −𝟒
= = 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑰𝟎 𝟏𝟎 −𝟏𝟐
Thus, the sound intensity is approximately 850000000 times more intense than that of the standard
sound intensity.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY

1. What is the magnitude of an earthquake in the Richter Scale if it released an approximate 10 6 joules of
energy?
2. An earthquake had released an energy of approximately 2.64 × 1012, determine the magnitude of the
earthquake.
3. Samar was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 last March 3, 2008. On August 31, 2012 it was hit
again with one that released 1015.8 joules of energy.
 a. How much energy was released during the March 3, 2008 Samar Earthquake?
b. How much more energy was released by 2012 earthquake compared to that of the 2008 Samar
Earthquake?
c. What is the magnitude of the 2012 Samar earthquake?
4. Last January 1, 2001 Davao Region was struck by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake and another one of 6.4 in
magnitude on August 20, 2007.
a. How much energy was released during the January 1, 2001 earthquake?
b. How much energy was released during the August 20, 2007 earthquake?
c. How much more energy was released by the 2001 earthquake compared to that of 2007
earthquake?
5. An Earthquake released an energy 500 times that of a magnitude 2 earthquake,
a. How much energy was released by the magnitude 2 earthquake?
b. What is the magnitude of the earthquake?
SOUND INTENSITY
6. Determine the number of decibels from a normal conversation with sound intensity of 10 -7 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
7. Determine the number of decibels from a rock concert with sound intensity of 9.1 × 102 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
8. If a certain whisper sound measured 30 dB, determine the sound intensity in 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
9. A man wanted to differentiate the sound intensity of two motorbikes: a 125 cc Kawasaki with 80 dB and the
150cc Suzuki whose sound intensity is 1.2 × 10-2 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
a. Determine the sound intensity of the 125cc Kawasaki Bike?
b. How many times more intense is the sound produced by 150cc Suzuki than that of the 125cc
Kawasaki?
c. Determine the number of decibels from the 150cc Suzuki Motor.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS
Solve each word problems involving logarithmic functions, logarithmic equations, and logarithmic inequalities.
Box your final answer.

1. What is the magnitude of an earthquake in the Richter Scale that released an approximately 1012
joules of energy?
2. What is the magnitude of an earthquake in the Richter Scale that released an approximately 10 3
joules of energy?
3. An earthquake had released an energy of approximately 7.04 × 1011, determine the magnitude of the
earthquake.

For Number 4-6

Last March 5, 2002 Moro Gulf was struck by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and on December 2, 2014, it was hit
again by an earthquake with 6.6 magnitude.
4. How much energy was released by the March 5, 2002 earthquake?
5. How much energy was released by the December 2, 2014 earthquake?
6. How much more energy was released by the 2014 earthquake compared to that of the 2002
earthquake?
For Numbers 7-8
An Earthquake released an energy 15,000 times that of another magnitude 5 earthquake,
7. How much energy was released by an earthquake of magnitude 5?
8. What is the magnitude of the earthquake that released an energy 15000 times that of another
earthquake with magnitude 5?

9. Determine the number of decibels from a normal conversation with sound intensity of 10 -8 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
10. Determine the number of decibels from a Jack Hammer with sound intensity of 3.2 × 10 -3 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
11. Determine the number of decibels from a Jet plane with afterburner with sound intensity of 8.3 × 102
𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
12. If a vacuum cleaner sound measured 70 dB, determine the sound intensity in 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠/𝑚2.
For Number 13-15
A warehouseman wanted to compare the sound intensity of two engines: A Diesel engine with 75dB and a
gasoline engine whose sound intensity is 1.5 × 10 -3.
13. Determine the sound intensity of the diesel engine?
14. How many times more intense is the sound produced by the gasoline engine than that of the diesel
engine?
15. Determine the number of decibels of the gasoline engine.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS ANSWER KEY: