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To understand the concepts of exponential and logarithmic functions, we first need to know what

they are. Adamson (2021, pg 544) defines exponential functions by stating its form as follows:
“for any real number an exponential function is a function in the form

Where:

 a is a non-zero real number called the initial value


 b is any positive real number such that b  1
 Te domain of f is all real numbers.
 The range of f is all positive real numbers if a > 0
 The range of f is ann negative real numbers if a < 0
 The y –n intercepts is (0, a), and the horizontal asymptotes is y = 0

On the other hand, Adamson (2021, pg 577) describes Logarithmic functions as follows:

A logarithmic base b of a positive number x satisfies the following

 For x > 0, b > 0, b1

Where,

 we read logb (x) as , “the logarithm with base b of x or the log base b of x
 the logarithm y is the exponent to which b must be raised to get x.

another concept to note under logarithmic functions is that:

 the domain of the logarithm function with base b is (0 , ∞).


 the range of the logarithm function with base (- ∞ , ∞).

After having defined both exponential and logarithmic functions, let as now discuss their
respective concepts which we need to accommodate.

Reflecting o the concept of exponential and logarithm functions, we note that

 these functions are the opposite of each other.


To explain this, take logarithm function (y = logax) is the inverse equivalent of (x =ay)
exponential function.

 The second concept is that a parent exponent f(x) = ax has a horizontal line at y=o, unless
when a=1.
 Positive umbers cannot be raised to a negative number
 The relationship between logarithmic form and its corresponding exponential form can be
illustrated as follows;

And we need to note that base b is always positive.

 Since is a function, it is correct to be written as logb(x), using brackets to denote


function evaluation, just as we would evaluate f(x).
 The notation of logarithms can be illustrated a shown below

 From the illustration above, we can note that when we compare logarithm functions and
exponential functions, the inputs and the outputs are switched.

The simplest exponential and logarithmic function that I could thing of where b  1 are y=bx and
y = logbx respectively.

The exponential function f(x) = (8) x has a base of b=8.

In our everyday life, there are many occurring real world situations that require the application or
interpretation of exponential or logarithmic functions. For example they can be used as
functions to compute investment I,e computing of compound interest and/or simple interest.

These functions can also be applied in the study of population, and other complex numeric
calculations in the field of statistics.
(Source: Abramson, 2021, pg 585)

The effective strategy that can be used to come with a graph for Logarithmic and exponential
function, is to come up with a table of value.

The table will have rows for input and output, and will be labeled x and why respectively.

Then follow the inputs/outputs from th given equations.

Lets take for instance, we want to graph the exponential function f(x)=2x

So as discussed fist come up with a table of values as show below

Souirce: Abramson (2021, pg 561)

Plotting these points on the graph, we will have the following graph
Using Desmos Graphing Calculator, note that we obtain the same graph.

The same method is used to plot a graph for logarithmic functions.

Abramson, J. (2021). Algebra and trigonometry (2nd ed.). OpenStax, TX: Rice University.
Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e

Desmos Calculator. https://www.desmos.com/calculator


Katherine S (2023) Highline College Corequisite Precalculus.
LibreText.https://math.libretexts.org/Courses/Highline_College/MATH_141%3A_Precalculus_I
_(2nd_Edition)/03%3A_Polynomial_and_Rational_Functions/3.07%3A_Graphing_Rational_Fu
nctions

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