Exponential and Logarithmic Function

1. Law of Indices
For integral indices p and q, let a, b be real numbers
For rational indices p and q, let a,b be non-negative numbers

Example:
1. Simplify and express the following expressions with positive indices

When simplifying, always

convert square roots using [D8]

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2.

2. Logarithm
When a > 0 and a ≠ 1, exponent

base

For a = 10, it’s called the common logarithm and is often omitted from the notation
For example:

To calculate log-function in the calculator that has a base ≠ 10,

For example:

 

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Properties of logarithm

b can be any number that’s > 0 and ≠ 1

Example:
3. Find the value of

4.

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Common Mistakes

Exponential equation
2 Methods in solving exponential equations:
Method 1: Make both sides share the same base Method 2: Take log on both sides
Example: Find x
5.

Use [D18] when both sides cannot be converted to the same base
Example: Find x
6.

Use calculator

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Logarithm Equation

7.Example:

Find x
Using [D19] Using [D20]

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Exponential Graphs [D21]

ax curve is the reflection of the

(1/a)x curve (along the y-axis)

Log Graphs [D22]

loga(x) curve is the reflection of the
log1/a(x) curve (along the x-axis)

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Exponential Graphs and Log Graphs

the exponential curve is

Example: symmetrical to the log curve

9.

(I) can be a log graph when a > 1

(II) can be a log graph when 1 > a > 0
(III) can’t be a log graph as it passed through (0,0)
log 0 is undefined [D16]

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Handling DSE-type questions
10. The graph in the figure shows the linear relation
between x and log4 y. If y = pqx, then q = ?

Method 1: Using slope intercept formula

Recall: equation straight line is
y = mx + c (where m is the slope and c is the y-intercept)
Given y = pqx, log4 y = log4 p + x log4 q
Rewrite the equation, log4 y = (log4 q) x + log4 p (m = log4 q, c = log4 p)
Slope of the straight line is ,

Method 2: By subsitution
Since y axis is now log4 y, the coordinates are expressed as (x, log4 y) instead of the
usual (x,y)
When x = 2, log4 y = 0  y = 1
When x = 0, log4 y = -3  y =
substitute x = 2, y = 1 and x = 0, y = into
We have: 1 = pq2 …(1)
= pq0 …(2)
From (2), we have p =
Substitute p = into (1),
Method 3: Two point form
Let (x , log4 y) be a point on the straight line

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Exercise (Solution on Page 13)
Level 1 questions
1. Simplify and express the following expressions with positive indices
(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g)

2.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

3. Solve the following equations

(a) (b) (c)

(d)

4. Which of the following is the greatest (without using a calculator)?

341111 , 62222 , 25555 ,
5. Which of the following is the greatest (without using a calculator)?
10003000, 100001500, 100000200, 1000000015

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6. Without using a calculator, find the value of.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g)

7. Solve the following questions and correct to 3 significant figures (if necessary)
(a) (b) (c)

(d)

Level 2 questions
8. Simplify and express the following expressions with positive indices
(a) (b) (c)

9. Which of the following is the greatest (without using a calculator)?

, , ,
10.

11.

(d) (e)
10
12.

13. Simplify the following expressions

(a) (b) (c)

14. Solve the following equations

(a) (b)

15.

16.

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17.

18.

19.

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Solution
1. (a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

2. (a) (b)

(c) (d)

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3(a) (b) (c)

(d) 4. 341111 , 62222 , 25555 ,

62222 = (62)1111 = 361111 1.7
25555 = (25)1111 = 321111
= =
Therefore, is the greatest

5. Method 1 Method 2
Convert to 10n Log method
3000
1000 103x3000 = 109000 3000log(10)3=9000
100001500 104x1500 = 106000 1500log(10)4=6000
100000200 105x200 = 101000 200log(10)5=1000
1000000015 107x15 = 10105 15log(10)7=105
Therefore, 10003000 is the greatest.

6. (a) log (1000) = 3 (b) = log (100000)-1 = -log (105) = -5

(c) log 0.0001 = log 10-4 = -4 (d) log2 128 = log2 27 = 7 (e) log 25 + log 400
= log 10000 = 4
(f) let log5 0.008 = x
0.008 = 5x
7. (a) (b)
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 both sides times 4

(c)
8(a) 8(b)

7(d)

9.

8(c)

10.

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11(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e)
12(a)

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(b)

(c)

13 (a) (b)

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(c) 14(a)

(b)

15. (a)

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Therefore,
(b) (i) (ii)

(iii)

16. log4 E = 2.2 17. Answer is A

E = 42.2 D is clearly wrong. (Refer to D22)
N = log8 2E = log8 (2 x 24.4) For y = log x, when y = 0, x = 1
= log8 (25.4) So. y = log x + 1 means that the entire
curve moves 1 unit upward
C is wrong because the curve shouldn’t
touch the x-axis at (1,0)
B is wrong because the curve moves
upward not rightward
18. Answer is C

Similar to [D19] example on Page 5

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19. Answer is B
When log9 y = 2 , log3 x = 0 ; x = 1, y = 81
When log9 y = 0 , log3 x = -3 ; x = ,y=1
So, If y = kxa
Substitute y = 81, x = 1
81 = k(1)a
k = 81

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