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5 Inverse Functions and Logarithms

Logarithmic Functions
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1.5 Logarithmic Functions

Question: How can we represent ‘mathematically’ the opposite

process of finding the powers?
Logarithms
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1.5 Logarithmic Functions

an
=b n = loga b
Input = exponent Input = power
Output = power Output = exponent
Example 1: Write the corresponding logarithmic expression for the
exponential ones and vise versa:

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1.5 Logarithmic Functions
Example 2: Find the exact value of each expression:

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1.5 Logarithmic Functions
The following laws of logarithms follow from the
corresponding laws of exponents.

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1.5 Laws of Logarithms

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1.5 Laws of Logarithms

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1.5 Natural Logarithms

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1.5 Natural Logarithms
Based on the above correspondence, we have the
following properties:

In particular,

Note: The above properties are very useful

in solving equations. 9
1.5 Natural Logarithms

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1.5 Natural Logarithms

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1.5 Natural Logarithms

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1.5 Natural Logarithms
The following formula shows that logarithms with any base
can be expressed in terms of the natural logarithm.

Change of Base Formula:

Note: Scientific calculators have a

key for natural logarithms, so the
above formula enables us to use a
calculator to compute a logarithm with
any base.
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1.5 Natural Logarithms

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