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Logarithmic Functions
Math 11A : General Mathematics
Week 10-11
A.Y. 2021-2022
1
Contents
Contents:
1. Properties of Exponential Functions
2. Natural Exponential Functions
3. Laws of Exponents
4. Properties of Logarithmic Functions
5. Common Logarithmic Functions
6. Natural Logarithmic Functions
7. Laws of Logarithms
8. Solving Exponential Equations and Inequalities
9. Solving Logarithmic Equations and Inequalities
11/18/2021 Math 11A, A.Y. 2021-2022
2
Properties of Exponential Function
Definition
The exponential function with base 𝑎 is defined by
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥
if 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1.
Note:
In the exponential function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥 , 𝑎 is called the base and 𝑥 is called the exponent of
the exponential function.
Note:
𝑒 ≈ 2.71828 is called as the Euler’s number. This makes the natural logarithmic function
increasing (𝑒 > 1).
Examples:
LAWS OF EXPONENTS
Use the Laws of Exponents to simplify the
1. Zero Exponent Rule: 𝑎0 = 1
following expressions.
2. Product Rule: 𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
65
3. Power Rule: 𝑎𝑚 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 1. 63
−𝑚 1
4. Negative Exponent Rule: 𝑎 = 𝑎𝑚 6𝑥 3
2.
2𝑥 7
𝑎𝑚
5. Quotient Rule: = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 3. 2𝑐𝑑 4 2 𝑐 3 𝑑2 5
𝑎𝑛
1
𝑛
6. nth-root Rule: 𝑎 =
𝑛 𝑎
Solutions:
Use the Laws of Exponents to simplify the following expressions.
65
1. = 65−3 = 62 = 𝟑𝟔
63
6𝑥 3 𝟑
2. = 3 𝑥 3−7 = 3𝑥 −4 = 𝒙𝟒
2𝑥 7
3. 2𝑐𝑑 4 2 𝑐 3 𝑑2 5 = 4𝑐 2 𝑑 4∙2 𝑐 3∙5 𝑑2∙5 = 4𝑐 2 𝑑8 𝑐15 𝑑10 = 4𝑐 2+15 𝑑8+10 = 𝟒𝒄𝟏𝟕 𝒅𝟏𝟖
Definition
The Logarithmic function takes the form 𝑓 𝑥 = log 𝑏 𝑥 (read as the logarithm of 𝑥 base 𝑏).
Note:
1. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = log 𝑏 𝑥 if and only if 𝑏 𝑦 = 𝑥
2. The logarithmic and exponential functions are inverse functions of each other.
3. In the logarithmic function 𝑓 𝑥 = log 𝑏 𝑥, 𝑏 is called the base and 𝑥 is called the
argument of the logarithmic function. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑦 is the exponent of the equivalent
exponential function of the logarithmic function.
Examples:
Express the exponential equations in its logarithmic form.
1. 104 = 10,000
1
2. 5−2 = 25
3. 4𝑥 = 70
4. 35 = 𝑤
Solution:
Express the exponential equation in logarithmic form.
1. 104 = 10,000 3. 4𝑥 = 70
−2 1
2. 5 = 25
4. 35 = 𝑤
1
⇒ log 3 𝑤 = 5
⇒ log 5 25 = −2
Examples:
Evaluate the following logarithms.
1. log 1000
2. log 2 32
3. log 0.1
4. log16 4
Solution:
Evaluate the following logarithms.
1. log 1000 2. log 2 32
⇒ 𝑦 = log 1000 (Equate it to 𝑦) ⇒ 𝑦 = log 2 32
⇒ 10𝑦 = 1000 (Transform into exponential form) ⇒ 2𝑦 = 32
⇒ 10𝑦 = 103 ⇒ 2𝑦 = 25
⇒𝑦=5
⇒𝑦=3
Hence, 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟑. Hence, 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑𝟐 = 𝟓 .
Solution:
Evaluate the following logarithms.
3. log 0.1 4. log16 4
⇒ 𝑦 = log 0.1 ⇒ 𝑦 = log16 4
⇒ 16𝑦 = 4
⇒ 10𝑦 = 0.1 1
1
⇒ 16𝑦
= 16 = 16 2
⇒ 10𝑦 = 0.1 = = 10−1 1
⇒𝑦=2
10
⇒ 𝑦 = −1
𝟏
Hence, 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏𝟔 𝟒 = 𝟐
Hence, 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟑.
log 𝑥 = log10 𝑥
1. ln 1 = 0 3. ln 𝑒 𝑥 = 𝑥
2. ln 𝑒 = 1 4. 𝑒 ln 𝑥 = 𝑥
Solutions:
Use the Laws of Logarithms to simplify the following expressions.
1
1. 3 log 𝑥 + 2 log 𝑥+1
1 𝟏
log 𝑥 3 + log 𝑥 + 1 2 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙𝟑 𝒙+𝟏 𝟐
1
2. 3 ln 𝑠 + 2 ln 𝑡 − 4 ln 𝑡 2 + 1
𝟏
1 𝟑
𝒔 𝒕𝟐
ln 𝑠 3 + ln 𝑡 − ln 𝑡 2 + 1
2 4
= 𝒍𝒏 𝟒
𝒕𝟐 +𝟏
Using this property, we can solve exponential equations by transforming both sides into an
exponential expression of the same base. By then, we can already equate the exponents.
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
1. 4𝑥+1 = 16
Solution:
Note that 16 = 42 . Thus, we can make both sides of the equation have a base equal to 4.
4𝑥+1 = 42
Now we can use the one-to-one property of exponential equations.
𝑥+1=2
𝒙=𝟏
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
2. 125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3
Solution:
Note that we cannot write 125 as an exponential expression with base 25 and we cannot also
write 25 as an exponential expression with base 125. Note however, 52 = 25 and 53 = 125.
(53 )𝑥−1 = (52 )𝑥+3
Now we can use the one-to-one property of exponential equations.
3 𝑥−1 =2 𝑥+3 → 3𝑥 − 3 = 2𝑥 + 6 → 3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 6 + 3
𝒙=𝟗
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
𝑥 2
3. 9 = 3𝑥+3
Solution:
Note that 9 = 32 . Thus, we can make both sides of the equation have a base equal to 3.
2 𝑥2
(3 ) = 3𝑥+3
Now we can use the one-to-one property of exponential equations.
2 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 + 3 → 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 3 = 0 → 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 1 = 0
𝟑
𝒙 = 𝐨𝐫 𝒙 = −𝟏
𝟐
We can use this property and the one-to-one property for exponential equations to solve
exponential inequalities.
Examples:
Solve for the following inequalities.
1. 3𝑥 < 9𝑥−2
Solution:
Note that 9 = 32 . Thus, we can make both sides of the inequality have a base equal to 3.
3𝑥 < (32 )𝑥−2 → 3𝑥 < 32𝑥−4
Since the base is 3, which is greater than 1 (3>1), by property of exponential inequalities, we
will retain the given inequality. Now, using the one-to-one property of exponential equations,
𝑥 < 2𝑥 − 4
𝑥 − 2𝑥 < −4
−𝑥 < −4
𝒙>𝟒
(note that multiplying both sides of an inequality by a negative number will change the
inequality into its opposite)
Examples:
Solve for the following inequalities.
1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
2. ≥
10 100
Solution:
1 1 2 1
Note that = . Thus, we can make both sides of the inequality have a base equal to .
100 10 10
𝑥+5 3𝑥 𝑥+5 6𝑥
1 1 1 1
≥ → ≥
10 102 10 10
1 1
Since the base is , which is less than 1
(10 < 1), by property of exponential inequalities, we
10
will reverse the given inequality. Now, using the one-to-one property of exponential equations,
𝑥 + 5 ≤ 6𝑥 (inequality is reversed)
𝑥 − 6𝑥 ≤ −5
−5𝑥 ≤ −5
𝒙≥𝟏
(note that multiplying both sides of an inequality by a negative number will change the
inequality into its opposite)
Note that the base 𝑏 of the logarithmic expressions in the equation should be equal to satisfy
the property. Using this property, we can solve logarithmic equations.
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
1. log 4 2𝑥 = log 4 10
Solution:
Since the base of the logarithmic expressions on both sides are equal (4), then we can use the
one-to-one property of logarithmic equations.
2𝑥 = 10
𝒙=𝟓
✓
To check: log 4 2(5) = log 4 10 → log 4 10 = log 4 10
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
2. log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2
Solution:
To solve the given logarithmic equation, we need to convert it into its exponential form.
32 = 2𝑥 − 1 → 9 = 2𝑥 − 1 → 2𝑥 = 10
𝒙=𝟓
✓
To check: log 3 (2 5 − 1) = 2 → log 3 9 = 2 → 2=2
Examples:
Find the value of 𝑥.
3. log 2 𝑥 + 1 + log 2 𝑥 − 1 = 3
Solution:
To solve the given logarithmic equation, we need to simplify it first. Using the laws of
logarithms,
log 2 𝑥 + 1 + log 2 𝑥 − 1 = 3
log 2 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 = 3
Now, we can convert the simplified logarithmic equation into its exponential form.
log 2 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 = 3
23 = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)
8 = 𝑥2 − 1
𝑥2 − 9 = 0
𝑥+3 𝑥−3 =0
𝑥 = −3 or 𝑥 = 3
To check:
✓
For 𝑥 = 3: log 2 3 + 1 3 − 1 = 3 → log 2 8 = 3 → 3 = 3
For 𝑥 = −3: log 2 −3 + 1 −3 − 1 = 3 → log 2 (−8) = 3 → 𝑑. 𝑛. 𝑒 ≠ 3
Hence, 𝒙 = 𝟑 only.
Note that before we ensure that the inequality is satisfied, we must first ensure that the
logarithms are defined (i.e., the arguments of the logarithmic expressions are positive).
Examples:
Find the solution set of the following logarithmic inequalities.
1. log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) > log 3 (𝑥 + 2)
Solution:
We need to ensure that the logarithms are defined (i.e., the arguments are positive).
2𝑥 − 1 > 0 𝑥+2>0 For the logarithms to be defined,
2𝑥 > 1 𝑥 > −2 1 1
1 , +∞ ∩ −2, +∞ = , +∞
𝑥> −2, +∞ 2 2
2
1 1
, +∞ or 𝑥 >
2 2
Now we can solve for the inequality. Note that the base is 3, which is greater than 1 (3 > 1).
Hence, since log 3(2𝑥 − 1) > log 3 (𝑥 + 2), then 2𝑥 − 1 > 𝑥 + 2 by the property of
logarithmic inequality.
2𝑥 − 1 > 𝑥 + 2
2𝑥 − 𝑥 > 2 + 1
𝑥>3
Now, take the intersection of the 𝑥 −values that would make the inequality satisfied (𝑥 > 3)
and the 𝑥 −values that would make the logarithm defined (𝑥 > 1/2).
1
3, +∞ ∩ , +∞ = (3, +∞)
2
Hence, the solution set is (𝟑, +∞).
11/18/2021 Math 11A, A.Y. 2021-2022
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Solving Logarithmic Equations and Inequalities
Examples:
Find the solution set of the following logarithmic inequalities.
2. log1/5 5𝑥 ≥ −3
Solution:
We need to ensure that the logarithm is defined (i.e., the argument is positive).
For the logarithm to be defined 5𝑥 > 0 → 𝑥 > 0.
For us to use the property of logarithmic inequalities, we need to convert −3 into a logarithm
1 −3
with base 1/5. Using the law of logarithm (log 𝑏 𝑏𝑥 = 𝑥), −3 = log1/5 5 .
1 −3
Now we can solve for the inequality log1/5 5𝑥 ≥ log1/5 . Note that the base is 1/5,
5
1 −3 1 −3
which is less than 1 (1/5< 1). Hence, since log1/5 5𝑥 ≥ log1/5 5 , then 5𝑥 ≤ by the
5
property of logarithmic inequality.
−3
1
5𝑥 ≤
5
5𝑥 ≤ 53 (by the Negative Exponent Rule)
5𝑥 ≤ 125
𝑥 ≤ 25
Now, take the intersection of the 𝑥 −values that would make the inequality satisfied (𝑥 ≤ 25)
and the 𝑥 −values that would make the logarithm defined (𝑥 > 0).
−∞, 25 ∩ 0, +∞ = 0, 25
Hence, the solution set is 𝟎, 𝟐𝟓 .
Examples:
Find the solution set of the following logarithmic inequalities.
3. log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < 2
Solution:
We need to ensure that the logarithm is defined (i.e., the argument is positive).
For the logarithm to be defined 3𝑥 − 5 > 0 → 𝑥 > 5/3.
For us to use the property of logarithmic inequalities, we need to convert 2 into a logarithm
with base 8. Using the law of logarithm (log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥), 2 = log 8 82 = log 8 64.
Now we can solve for the inequality log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < log 8 64. Note that the base is 8, which is
greater than 1 (8 > 1). Hence, since log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < log 8 64, then 3𝑥 − 5 < 64 by the
property of logarithmic inequality.
3𝑥 − 5 < 64
3𝑥 < 69
𝑥 < 23
Now, take the intersection of the 𝑥 −values that would make the inequality satisfied (𝑥 < 23)
and the 𝑥 −values that would make the logarithm defined (𝑥 > 5/3).
5 5
(−∞, 23) ∩ , +∞ = , 23
3 3
Hence, the solution set is (𝟓/𝟑, 𝟐𝟑).
11/18/2021 Math 11A, A.Y. 2021-2022
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The End