3.2 Logarithmic Functions
3.2 Logarithmic Functions
2)
Definition of logarithmic functions. Identities. Graphing a logarithmic functions.
log a x y
if and only if
xa
y
2
Common Logs
The logarithmic function with base 10 is called the Common Logarithmic Function. Denoted
log x y
Natural Logs
The logarithmic function with base e is called the Natural Logarithmic Function. Denoted
ln x y
Identities
Exponential and logarithms (same base) are inverses of each other. Based on composing inverse functions:
log a a x
x
log a x
x
5
Example #1
Rewrite the Common Logarithmic expression as an exponential expression: 1 If log 10 1 Then
10 10
Properties of Logarithms
Exp Form 0 Log Form Example
a 1
1
log a 1 0
log a a 1
log 3 1 0
a a
a
log a x
x
log10 1
log 5 5 2
2
x
y
log a a x
x
If a a x y
If log a x log a y x y
log 5 x log 5 17 x 17
8
Example #2
Rewrite the logarithmic expression as an exponential expression: 2 If log 36 2 Then 6
36 6
Example #3
If
82
Then
log 2 8 3
Asymptotes
Domain Range
11
Graphing
y log 3 x
Rewrite in exponential form, solve for values of x, and draw a smooth curve through the points.
x 1 3 9 27
y 0 1 2 3
3 x
y
(27,3) (9,2) (3,1)
0 x 10 15 20 25
(1,0)
-2
12
Graphing
y log 3 ( x 3)
To obtain this graph translate y log 3 x to the left 3 units. D: (-3, ), R: (-, ) -- cannot take log of a negative number
y
x -2 0 6 24
y 0 1 2 3
3 x3
y
0 5 10 15
3 x
y
20
x 25
-2
13
Graphing y log3 x 3
To obtain this graph translate y log 3 x up 3 units. D: (0, ), R: (-, ) -- cannot take log of a negative number
x 1 3 9 27
y 3 4 5 6
(y-3)
0 0 5 10
15
3 x
y
20
x 25
-2
14
15
e 1
0
ln1 0
ln e 1
x
e e
1
e e ln x ln y
ln x
ln e x
x
x y
16
Example #4
Evaluate
1 ln e
1 1 ln ln e 1 e
17
Example #5
Evaluate
3ln e
3ln e 3(1) 3
18
f x ln 6 x 7
19
Testables
First Quiz
Graphing, Transformations
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