Logarithmic Functions
Lecture Notes
Maham Kiran
May 2022
Outline:
Logarithmic Function
Properties of Logarithmic Functions
Special Logarithmic Functions
Converting from Logarithmic to Exponential Function
Converting from Exponential to Logarithmic Function
Graph of a Logarithmic Function
Finding Domain of a Logarithmic Function
Solving Exponential Equation
Solving Logarithmic Equation
Change-of-Base Formula
Examples
Practice Problems
Logarithmic Function:
A logarithmic function, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥, 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1, is the inverse function to an
exponential function 𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑎 .
A logarithmic base 𝑎 of a positive number 𝑥 satisfies the following definition.
For 𝑥 > 0, 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1,
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑎 = 𝑥
We read it as: Logarithm with base 𝑎 of 𝑥 or log 𝑎 base of 𝑥.
It is a one-to-one function.
The vertical asymptote is 𝑥 = 0. (y-axis)
The domain of the function is [0, +∞).
The range of the function is ℝ.
If 𝑎 > 1, the function is increasing.
If 0 < 𝑎 < 1, the function is decreasing.
We cannot take the log of a negative number as it is not a real number.
Log (0) does not exist.
Properties of Logarithmic Functions:
1. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 1 = 0
2. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 = 1
3. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑀𝑁) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑁
4. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑁
5. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑀 ) = 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑀
Special Logarithmic Functions:
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 is abbreviated as 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥. It is called Common logarithm of 𝑥.
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 is abbreviated as 𝑙𝑛𝑥. It is called Natural logarithm of 𝑥.
Converting from Logarithmic to Exponential Function:
Given an equation in logarithm form 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑦. Convert it to an exponential
form by
Identifying 𝑎, 𝑥, 𝑦.
Rewrite 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑦 as 𝑎 = 𝑥.
e.g. 𝑙𝑜𝑔 8=3 can be written in exponential form as 2 = 8.
Converting from Exponential to Logarithmic Function:
To convert from exponential to logarithmic function, we follow the same steps in
reverse
𝑎 =𝑥
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
e.g. 3 = can be written in exponential form as 𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( ) = −3.
Example 1: Evaluate the following logarithms.
(a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 49 (b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (c) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 25
Solution:
(a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 49
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=7 and x=49. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives 7 = 49 = 7
Comparing the powers, we get 𝑦 = 2.
Hence, 𝑙𝑜𝑔 49 = 2.
(b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=27 and x=1/9. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives
1
27 =
9
1
(3 ) = =3
3
3 =3
Comparing the powers, we get
3𝑦 = −2
−2
𝑦=
3
Hence, 𝑙𝑜𝑔 = .
(c) 𝑙𝑜𝑔 25
Convert it into exponential form.
Here a=1/5 and x=25. So,
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives
= 25 = 5
5 =5
Comparing the powers, we get
−𝑦 = 2
𝑦 = −2
Hence, 𝑙𝑜𝑔 25 = −2.
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Graph of a Logarithmic Function:
The graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑎 and 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 are symmetric with respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Interchange the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 to sketch the graph of the logarithmic function.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the function𝑓(𝑥) = 5 and 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 in the interval
[-2,2]. Also find the domain and range.
Solution:
1. x,y values for 𝒇(𝒙):
x -2 -1 0 1 2
𝑦=5 1/25 1/5 1 5 25
2. x,y values for 𝒇 𝟏 (𝒙):
For this, interchange the values in above table
𝒚 -2 -1 0 1 2
𝑥 1/25 1/5 1 5 25
For inverse functions, we take the same horizontal and vertical span. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 ,
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥
3. Domain and Range:
𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = ℝ = 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = (0, +∞) = 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
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Example 3: Find the inverse of the function𝑓(𝑥) = 2 and sketch the graph of both functions
in the interval [-2,2]. Also find the domain and range.
Solution:
1. Inverse:
As, we know that the inverse of an exponential function is a logarithmic function. So,
change this function into logarithmic function.
𝑎 = 𝑥 gives log 𝑥 = 𝑦
so, 2 =𝑦
gives log 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3
x = log 𝑦 + 3
Now, interchange x and y: y = log 𝑥 + 3
2. x,y values for 𝒇(𝒙):
x -1 0 1 2 3 4
𝑦=5 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2
3. x,y values for 𝒇 𝟏 (𝒙):
For this, interchange the values in above table
𝑥 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2
𝑦 -1 0 1 2 3 4
For inverse functions, we take the same horizontal and vertical span. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 ,
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 + 3
4. Domain and Range:
𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = ℝ = 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓 = (0, +∞) = 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓
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Finding Domain of a Logarithmic Function:
For a logarithmic function, identify the domain by
Set up an inequality showing the argument greater than zero.
Solve for x.
Write the domain in interval notation.
Example 4: Find the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log (2 − 𝑥).
Solution:
1. Domain:
The logarithmic function is defined only when the input is positive, so the function is
defined when 2 − 𝑥 > 0.
Solving the inequality:
2−𝑥 >0
2>𝑥
or, 𝑥<2
The domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log (2 − 𝑥) is (−∞, 2).
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Solving Exponential Equation:
To solve an exponential equation, we nedd to take the logarithim of both sides to
an appropriate base, commonly base 10 or base e.
Example 5: Solve 𝑒 = 2.
Solution: Tke log with base e i.e ln (natural log) on both sides:
𝑙𝑛𝑒 = 𝑙𝑛2
𝑥 = 0.6931
Solving Logarithmic Equation:
To solve an logarithmic equation, we need to rewrite it in exponential form.
Example 5: Solve log (𝑥 − 3) = 4.
Solution: Here 𝑎 = 2, 𝑦 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 3. Put it into 𝑎 = 𝑥.
2 =𝑥−3
𝑥 =2 +3
𝑥 = 16 + 3 = 19
Change-of-Base Formula:
Logarithmic functions can be rewritten in terms of other bases by means of the
change-of-base formula.
log 𝑥
log 𝑥 =
log 𝑎
Example 7: Solve log 3 by using change-of-base formula.
Solution: Let another base 2. Then
log 𝑥
log 𝑥 =
log 𝑎
log 3
log 3 =
log 2
log 3 = =1.58
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Practice Problems:
1. Write in exponential form.
a) log 10 = b) log = −4 c) log 36 = −2
2. Write in logarithmic form.
a) = 64 b) 𝑒 = √𝑒 c) 𝑚 =𝑇
3. Evaluate:
a) log (−100) b) log c) log
4. Sketch the graph of the following functions.
a) y = log (𝑥 + 2) b) 𝑦 = 3 − log 𝑥 c) log / 𝑥
5. Solve 2 = 15.
6. Solve log (3𝑥 − 4) = 5
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