Exponential functions and logarithms

The graphs of exponential functions

Exponential functions are functions of the form f(x) = ax
f ( x) = ax, a  1 :

f ( x) = ax, 0  a  1 :

• Exponential functions with equations of the form y = b  a k ( x +c ) + d are derived from the basic graph of y = ax by
applying a combination of transformations.
• Exponential functions of the form y = b  ax have been dilated by a factor b from the x-axis. Exponential functions
1
of the form y = akx have been dilated by a factor (k  0) from the y-axis.
k
• Exponential functions of the form y = ax + d are translated vertically with the horizontal asymptote moving to
y = d.
• The key features to identify in order to sketch the graphs of such exponential functions are the asymptote, the y-
intercept and the x-intercept (if there is one).
Defining logarithms
• The inverse of any exponential function is a logarithmic function.
• If y = ax, then loga y = x, where a = the base, x = the power, index or logarithm and y = the base numeral.
• The index laws can be used to establish corresponding rules for calculations involving logarithms:
o loga m + loga n = loga (mn), where m, n  0
o log a m − log a n = log a m, where n  0
o loga mn = n loga m, where m  0
o log a a = 1
o log a 1 = 0

• The inverse of an exponential function of the form y = b  a k ( x +c ) + d is:

1  x−d 
y= log a  +c
k  b 

Solving equations involving indices

• To solve for the exponent x in equations of the form ax = n:
1. Express both sides as powers of the same base.
2. Equate the indices and solve the equation formed to obtain the solution to the indicial equation