(4.

3) Logarithmic Functions

Let 𝑎 be a positive number with 𝑎 ≠ 1. The logarithmic function with base 𝑎 denoted by
log 𝑎 is defined by
log 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑦 ⇔ 𝑎𝑦 = 𝑥
So for every exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 , there is an inverse function 𝑓 −1 which is the
logarithmic function 𝑔(𝑥) = log 𝑎 𝑥.
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Graph of Logarithmic Functions

• Domain of log 𝑎 𝑥 is (0, ∞).

• Range of log 𝑎 𝑥 is (−∞, ∞).
• The x-intercept 𝑎 = 1 and no y-intercept.
• y = log 𝑎 𝑥 is increasing on (0, ∞).

𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥 ( ― ) & 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 (•••), 𝑎 > 1

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Example (1): Switch from one form to the other in the following.

Logarithmic Form Exponential Form

log10 100000 = 5
1⁄
8 3 =2
1
2−3 =
8
log 7 (3𝑦) = 2
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Example (2): Find the value of 𝒙.
1. log10 1000 = 𝑥

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2. log 3 𝑥 = −3

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3. log 8 √64 = 𝑥

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1
4. log 𝑥 4 =
2

5
5. log 2 𝑥 = 5

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6. log 𝑥 64 = 3

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1
7. log 7 =𝑥
49

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Natural Logarithm
The logarithm with base 𝑒 is called the natural logarithm and is denoted by ln 𝑥 = log 𝑒 𝑥.
ln 𝑥 = 𝑦 ⇔ 𝑒𝑦 = 𝑥
• Domain of ln 𝑥 is (0, ∞).
• Range of ln 𝑥 is (−∞, ∞).
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Common Logarithm
The logarithm with base 10 is called the common logarithm and is denoted by omitting the
base.
log 𝑥 = log10 𝑥
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Example (3): Find the domain of each function.

a. 𝑦 = log(𝑥 + 2)

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b. 𝑦 = ln(4 − 3𝑥)

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c. 𝑦 = ln|𝑥| − 5𝑥−1

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d. 𝑦 = log 𝑥 + log(𝑥 − 1)

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Properties of logarithms
a. log 𝑎 1 = 0 ln 1 = 0 log 1 = 0
b. log 𝑎 𝑎 = 1 ln 𝑒 = 1 log 10 = 1
c. log 𝑎 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥 ln 𝑒 𝑥 = 𝑥 log 10𝑥 = 𝑥
d. 𝑎log𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑒 ln 𝑥 = 𝑥 10log 𝑥 = 𝑥
for 𝑥 ∈ (0, ∞) for 𝑥 ∈ (0, ∞) for 𝑥 ∈ (0, ∞)
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Example (4): Simplify each expression.
1. log 5 1

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2. log 3 3

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3. log 6 68

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4. 7log7 𝑦

9
5. ln 𝑒 8

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6. log 10 − ln 𝑒

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1
7. ln ( )
𝑒2

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8. log 3 81

10
 1
9. log 4
64

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1
10. log
10000

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11. log 8 2

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Example (5): Find the function of 𝐲 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙 whose graph is given.

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Example (6): Find the logarithmic function whose graph is passing through
𝟏
the point (𝟑, ).
𝟐

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