AP PreCalculus ~ Unit 4: Logarithmic Functions

Name:
S4.1 Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs Date:

The inverse of the exponential function = is the function =

Since we want to express this as function of , we can use logarithmic notation.

= log where is the base and > 0, 1

So, the equations = log and = are equivalent. For example, log 8 = 3 is equivalent to 2 = 8

Ex.1. Find the inverse of ( ) = 2 .

S
+
+ (x)
y
= 2x =

logeX
X = 24

y log2X
=

Ex.2. Write each of the following in the other equivalent form:

a. log 81 = #
3 b. 5 = 625 c. log = 5
4
34 1095625
=
8
=

2-5 =
3
d. 9 = 27 e. 8 =1 f. 6 =6

10ga27 3 logsI 0
10966 1
=
= =

Properties of Logarithms

Ex.3. Evaluate each of the following:

a. log 64 b. log 1 c. 3 .

109443 = O
=
45
.

=
3

d. log 3 e. log f. log

10933"2 23 2
=

loga
E 3
= -

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AP PreCalculus ~ Unit 4: Logarithmic Functions

Ex.4. There are 22 lily pads in a pond and this number doubles every week. Write, but do not evaluate,
a logarithmic function that can be used to determine the week in which the lily pad population reaches
400.

Graphing Logarithmic Functions

Recall that the graph of a logarithmic function is the inverse (reflected over the line ) of its
exponential function.

= 2 is an exponential function
Domain:

Range:

Horizontal asymptote:

Some key points:

= log is the inverse of =2

Domain:

Range:

Vertical asymptote:

Some key points:

Logarithms with base 10 are called common logarithms. It is not necessary to write the base of common
logarithms. For example, log = log
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AP PreCalculus ~ Unit 4: Logarithmic Functions

Ex.5. Sketch ( ) = log

Ex.6. State the domain, range, x-intercept, and vertical asymptote of ( ) = log ( 3) and sketch
the graph.

Ex.7. State the domain, range, x-intercept, and vertical asymptote of ( ) = log ( + 2) 4 and
sketch the graph.

HOMEWORK: page 216~3.2 Exercises. #[7-19, 25, 27, 33, 37-45] odd only
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