Logarithmic Functions

Lecture 2:
Topic: Introduction Definition

Reading for this lecture The logarithm of a number, x, to a given base, b,

H&P, Ch 4, Sect 4.2 – 4.4 is the exponent, y, to which the base must be
Homework for Tutorial in Week 2 raised to obtain x.
Ex 4.2, pp. 180, problems 1, 3, 17, 29. That is, if, and only if,
Ex 4.3, pp. 185-186, problems 11, 21, 25.
where b > 0, b ≠ 1, x is any positive real number,
Ex 4.4, pp. 190-191, problems 1, 7.
y is any real number.
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From Exponential Form to From Logarithmic Form to

Logarithmic Form Exponential Form
102 = 100 implies = log81 = 0 implies =
52 = 25 implies = log232 = 5 implies =
161/2 = 4 implies = log3(1/9) = -2 implies =

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Graphing Log Functions, b > 1 Graphing Log Functions, 0 < b < 1

y = log10x that is, f(x) = log10x y = log0.1x that is, f(x) = log0.1x
y y
x y x y
0.5 -0.301 0.5 0.301
1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0
1.5 0.176 x 1.5 -0.176 x
2.0 0.301 2.0 -0.301
10.0 1.0 10.0 -1.0
100 2.0 100 -2.0
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 Properties of Logarithms Applying the Properties
1. logb(xy) = logb(x) + logb(y) Find log0.12 using logs to base 10.
2. logb(x/y)= logb(x) - logb(y)
log0.12 = by Property 8
3. logb(xr) = r.logb(x)
4. logb(1/x)= - logb(x) =
5. logb(1) = 0
=
6. logb(b) = 1
7. logb(br) = r
8. logb(x) = loga(x)/ loga(b)
9. blogbx =x
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The Number “e”

Applying the Properties
Euler (1707-1783) ‘discovered’ the irrational number
Find log10 x in terms of log10 x and
(x+1)3 e = 2.71828…
log10 (x+1)
“e” equals the value of (1 + x)1/x
log10 x
= Property 2
(x+1)3 when x is very, very close to 0.
= Property 3
e.g. (1 + 0.0001)10,000 =

e.g. (1 + 0.000001)1,000,000 =
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Common Logarithms and “Single-Valued” Functions

Natural Logarithms
y = bx y = logbx
A given value of y can result from exactly one
• Common logarithms have base 10. value of x.
Common logs are written log10x or logx. logbx
bx
• Natural logarithms are to base e.

Natural logs are written logex or ln x.

1 x
1
x
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A Function that is not Single-Valued Logarithmic Equations
Example y = x2 Example Given ln(-x) = ln(x2 – 6), find x.
A given value of y can result from one of two Log functions are single-valued,
values of x.
y ∴ =

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Exponential Equations
Problem
Example Given e5x = e3x+1, find x.
Exponential functions are single-valued, Page 192 problem 49.
Find x.
∴ =
log x + log(10x) = 3

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Logarithmic & Exponential Equations Principles in Practice 2, p. 187

Principles in Practice 2, p. 187 S = 800 (4/3)-0.1d where
The sales manager at a fast food chain finds that S is sales in $ per day,
breakfast sales begin to fall after the end of a d is no. days after a promotional campaign.
promotional campaign. The sales in dollars as a Answer
function of the number of days, d, after the
campaign’s end are given by
S = 800(4/3)-0.1d.
If the manager does not want sales to drop below
$450 per day before starting a new campaign,
when should he start such a campaign?
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 Problem
Page 186 Q54.
In statistics the sample regression equation
y = abx is reduced to a linear form by taking
logarithms of bothe sides. Express log y in
terms of x, log a and log b and explain what is
meant by saying that the resulting expression
is linear?
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Problem
Page 191 Q43
The demand equation for a consumer product is
q= 80 – 2P. Solve for p and express your
answer in terms of common logarithms.
Evaluate p to two decimal places when q =60.
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