Module 4

Logarithmic Functions



What this module is about

This module deals with the definition, graph, properties, laws and
application of the laws of the logarithmic function; and how to solve simple
logarithmic equation. As you go over the discussion and exercises, you will
appreciate the importance of this function. Find enjoyment in learning this module
and go over the discussion and examples if you have not yet mastered a
concept.



What you are expected to learn

This module is designed for you to:

1. define the logarithmic function f(x) = log
a
x as the inverse of the
exponential function f(x) = a
x
,
2. draw the graph of the logarithmic function f(x) = log
a
x,
3. describe some properties of the logarithmic function from its graph;
4. apply the laws of logarithms; and
5. solve simple logarithmic equations.


How much do you know

1. What is the inverse of the exponential function?
a. Linear function
b. Quadratic function
c. Polynomial function
d. Logarithmic function

2. Which of the following is equivalent to log
2
16 = 4?
a. 2
4
= 16
b. 4
2
= 16
c. 16
2
= 4
d. 16
4
= 2

2. Which of the following is equivalent to ( )
3
1
125 = 5?
a. log
125
5 =
3
1

b. log
5
125 =
3
1

c. log
3
1
5 = 125
d. log
5
3
1
= 125



4. The graph of y = log
5
x is asymptotic with which of the following lines?
a. y = x
b. x - axis
c. y - axis
d. y = 1

5. The graphs of y = 10
x
and y = log
10
x are symmetric with respect to what
line?
a. y = x + 1
b. y = 2x
c. y = x
d. y = 2
x


6. What is the point common to the graphs of functions in the form y = log
a
x?
a. (0, 0)
b. (1, 1)
c. (0, 1)
d. (1, 0)

7. Write log
3
x
2
+ log
3
y
3
log
3
z as a single logarithm.
a. log
3
|
|
.
|

\
|

z
y x
3 2

b. log
3
(x
2
+ y
3
- z)
c. log
3
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
z
y x
3 2

d. none of the above

8. Simplify log
3
18 + log
3
2 log
3
4 as a single number.
a. 16
b. 9
c. 3
d. 2


9. Given: log
10
2 = 0.3010, log
10
3 = 0.4771, and log
10
5 = 0.6990, what is log
10
1.2?
a. 0.2054
b. 0.0791
c. 1.1132
d. -0.5553

10. Determine the value of x if log
7
x = - 2.
a. 14
b.
14
1


c. 49
d.
49
1



What you will do

Lesson 1

Logarithmic Function


In the previous module, you have learned about inverse functions. Recall
that when the domain of one function is the range and the range is the domain of
the other then they are inverses. Remember also that to determine the inverse of


a function given an equation you have to interchange x and y then solve for y.
Look at the illustration below on how to find the inverse of the exponential
function, y = a
x
.

Exponential Function Inverse function
y = a
x
x = a
y


You will notice that the inverse of the exponential function shows that y is
the exponent to which the base a is raised in order to obtain the power x.

The inverse of the exponential function above is called logarithmic
function. The function is defined by the equation -




x = a
y
or y = log
a
x (a>0, a 1, x > 0)





The equation of a logarithmic function is read as y is the logarithm of x to the
base a. Take note that in the notation, a is the base, x is the power and y is the
exponent to which a is raised in order to obtain x.

Example 1. The logarithmic equation 2 = log
7
49 is read as 2 is the logarithm of
49 to the base 7 or the logarithm of 49 to the base 7 is 2 which
means that the exponent of 7 in order to get 49 is 2.

Example 2. The logarithmic equation log
6
108 = 3 is read as the logarithm of 108
to the base 6 is 3 or 3 is the logarithm of 108 to the to the base 6
meaning the exponent of 6 is 3 to get 108.

Notice from the notation above that y = log
a
x is equivalent to x = a
y
. Thus,
an equation in exponential form can be expressed in logarithmic form and vice-
versa. Study the examples that follow.

Example 3. Transform the following equations in logarithmic form.

1. 2
6
= 64
2.
9
1
3
2 -
= 3. ( ) 2 128 7
1
=
Solutions:

1. In 2
6
= 64, the base is 2, the exponent is 6 and the power is 64.
Thus, 2
6
= 64 is equivalent to 6 = log
2
64 or log
2
64 = 6.
Exponent
Base
Power




2. In
9
1
3
2 -
= , the base is 3, the exponent in -2 and the power is
9
1
.
Hence,
9
1
3
2 -
= is equivalent to -2 =
9
1
log
3
or
9
1
log
3
= -2.
.
3. In ( ) 2 128
7
1
= , the base is 128, the exponent is
7
1
and the power is 2.
Therefore, ( ) 2 128
7
1
= is equivalent to
7
1
= log
128
2 or log
128
2 =
7
1
.

Example 4. Transform the following logarithmic equations to exponential form.

1. log
5
1 = 0 2. log
10
.0001 = -4 3. log
c
a = -b

Solutions:

1. In log
5
1 = 0, the base is 5, the exponent is 0, and the power is 1.
Therefore, log
5
1 = 0 is equivalent to 5
0
= 1.

2. In log
10
0.0001 = -4, the base is 10, the exponent is -4, and the power is
0.0001. Thus, log
10
0.0001 = -4 is equivalent to 10
-4
= 0.0001.

3. In log
c
a = -b, the base is c, the exponent is -b, and the power is a. Hence,
log
c
a = -b is equivalent to c
-b
= a.

Logarithms can be obtained by considering the corresponding exponential
form of the expression.

Example 5. Evaluate the logarithms of the following:

1. log
4
64

2. log
9
27
3.
625
1
log
5
Solutions:

1. Let log
4
64 = x. Transform it in exponential form then solve for x.
4
x
= 64
4
x
= 4
3

x = 3
log
4
64 = 3

2. Let log
9
27 = x. Transform it in exponential form then solve for x.
log
9
27 = x
9
x
= 27
(3
2
)
x
= 3
3



3
2x
= 3
3
2x = 3
2
3
x =
log
9
27 =
2
3


3. Let
625
1
log
5

= x. Transform it in exponential form then solve for x.
625
1
log
5
= x
5
x
=
625
1

5
x
= 5
-4

x = -4

625
1
log
5

= -4

Try this out

A. Write the equivalent exponential form of the following.

1. log
2
32 = 5
2. log
3
81 = 4
3. log
12
12 = 1
4. log
10
100000 = 5
5. log
1/5
125 = -3
6. log
4
64 = 3

7. log
2
16
1
= -4
8. log
r
t = p
9. log
a
p = s
10. log
q
p = m


B. Write the equivalent logarithmic form.

1. 3
5
=243
2. 9
0
= 1
3. 11
2
= 121
4. ( ) ( )
81
16
4
3
2
=
5. ( )
3
4
9
16 2
1
=
6.
36
1
2
6 =

7. a
-5
=
5
a
1

8. 4 = 16
2
1

9. 125
2/3
= 25
10. 64
2/3
= 16
C. Evaluate the logarithm of each of the following
1. log
9
81
2. log
2
128
3. log
7
343
4. log
25
625
5. log
8
1
6. log
4
8

7. log
64
4
8.
216
1
6
log

9. log
4
256
1

10.
5
8
64 log




Lesson 2

Graphs of Logarithmic Function


From a previous module, you have learned about the graphs of inverse
functions, that is, the graphs of inverse functions are reflections of each other
and that they are symmetrical about the line y = x. Thus, the graph of the
logarithmic function y = log
a
x can be obtained from the graph of the exponential
function y = a
x
. To do this, simply flip the graph of y = a
x
along the line y = x.

Example 1. Draw the graph of y = log
2
x .

Solution:

To draw the graph of y = log
2
x, recall the graph of y = 2
x
. Flip the graph of
y = 2
x
about the line y = x. You should be able to observe that the two graphs
contain the following integral values.


For example, the point (1, 2) is on the graph of y = 2
x
and the point (2, 1) is on
the graph of y = log
2
x. Observe now that the graph of y = log
2
x is a reflection of
the graph of the exponential function y = 2
x
along the line y = x which is the axis
of symmetry. This can be seen in the figure below.













Figure 1

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y = 2
x
8
1

4
1

2
1
1 2 4 8
x
8
1
4
1
2
1
1 2 4 8
y = log
2
x

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
y = x
y = 2
x

y = log
2
x


-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
To draw the graph of y =
( )
x
2
1
and its inverse y = log
2
1
x, follow the steps in
the previous example, that is, draw the graph of y =
( )
x
2
1
then flip it along the line
y = x. Observe that the graph of y = log
2
1
x contain the following integral values
shown below.

















Figure 2

Notice that just like in Figure 1, the graph of y = log
2
1
x is a reflection of the
graph of y =
( )
x
2
1
. The two graphs are also symmetrical about the line y = x.

Try this out

A. Sketch the graph of each of the following logarithmic functions using the
graph of its inverse.
1. f(x) = log
3
x
2. f(x) = log
4
x
3. f(x) = log
5
x
4. f(x) = log
1/3
x
5. f(x) = log
1/4
x
6. f(x) = log
1/5
x

B. Compare and contrast the graphs of numbers 1 and 4, numbers 2 and 5,
and numbers 3 and 6.


x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y = 2
x
8 4 2 1
2
1
4
1
8
1
x 8 4 2 1
2
1

4
1
8
1
y = log
2
x

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y = x
y =
( )
x
2
1

y = log
2
1
x


-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Lesson 3

Properties of the Graph of a Logarithmic Function

From Figure 1 in Lesson 2, you can see the properties of the graph of the
logarithmic function y = log
2
x. Observe that the domain is the set of all positive
real numbers and the range are all real numbers. It has an x-intercept (1. 0) and
its asymptote is the y-axis. Notice also that the function is positive for all x greater
than 1 and negative for all x less than 1. Thus, this function is increasing.














Figure 1

The properties of the graph in figure 1 illustrates the properties of
logarithmic functions in the form y = a
x
, a > 1.
1. The domain is the set of all positive real numbers and the range are all
real numbers.
2. The x-intercept is (1. 0) and its asymptote is the y-axis.
3. The function is positive for all x greater than 1 and negative for all x less
than 1.
4. The function is increasing.

From Figure 2 in Lesson 2, the
properties of the graph of the
logarithmic function y = log
1/2
x can be
observed. The domain is the set of all
positive real numbers and the range are
all real numbers. It has an x-intercept (1.
0) and its asymptote is the y-axis.
Notice also that the function is negative
for all x greater than 1 and positive for
all x less than 1. Thus, this function is
decreasing.

-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
y = log
2
x
y = log
2
1
x



The properties of the graph in figure 1 illustrates the following properties of
logarithmic functions in the form y = a
x
, 0 < a < 1.

1. The domain is the set of all positive real numbers and the range are all
real numbers.
2. The x-intercept is (1. 0) and its asymptote is the y-axis.
3. The function is negative for all x greater than 1 and positive for all x less
than 1.
4. The function is decreasing.

Try this out

A. Enumerate the properties of the graphs of the following logarithmic functions.
Refer to the graphs drawn in Lesson 2.

1. f(x) = log
3
x
2. f(x) = log
4
x
3. f(x) = log
5
x
4. f(x) = log
1/3
x
5. f(x) = log
1/4
x
6. f(x) = log
1/5
x

B. Give the properties common to the graphs in A.


Lesson 4

Laws of Logarithms


Since logarithmic function and exponential function are inverse functions,
the laws of exponents will be used to derive the laws of logarithms. The laws of
logarithms were important tools in shortening complicated computations long
before the use of scientific calculators and computers. Nowadays, logarithms are
used for different purposes specifically in sciences.

A. The Logarithm of a Product

Let M = a
x
and N = a
y
.

By Law of Exponents for Products, MN = a
x
a
y
= a
x + y
.

By definition of logarithmic function,
M = a
x
log
a
M = x,
N = a
y
log
a
N = y, and


MN = a
x + y
log
a
MN = x + y.

By substitution, log
a
MN = log
a
M + log
a
N.

From the derivation, the logarithm of the product of two numbers is the
sum of the logarithms of the two factors.

B. The Logarithm of a Quotient

Use the given in A and the Law of Exponents for Quotients,
y - x
y
x
a
a
a

N
M
= = .
By definition of logarithmic function,
M = a
x
log
a
M = x,
N = a
y
log
a
N = y, and

y - x
a
N
M
= y - x
N
M
log
a
= |
.
|

\
|

By substitution, N log M log
N
M
log
a a a
- = |
.
|

\
|


From the derivation, the logarithm of the quotient of two numbers is the
difference of the logarithms of the dividend and the divisor.

C. The logarithm of a Power

Let M = a
x
.

By the Law of Exponents for a Power, M
k
= (a
x
)
k
.

By definition of logarithmic function,
M = a
x
log
a
M = x, and
M
k
= (a
x
)
k
log
a
M
k
= xk.

By substitution, log
a
M
k
= klog
a
M

From the derivation, the logarithm of the k
th
power of a number is k times
the logarithm of the number.

Below are examples of the application of the laws of logarithms.

Example 1. Simplify the following using the laws of logarithms.

1. log
a
5PQ
2.
|
|
.
|

\
|
5
32
log
a

3. log
b
(24)
3

4. log
b
3
7
y
x




Solutions:

1. Apply the logarithm of a product.
log
a
5PQ = log
a
5 + log
a
P + log
a
Q

2. Apply the logarithm of a quotient.
|
.
|

\
|
5
32
log
a
= log
a
32 log
a
5

3. Apply the logarithm of a power.
log
b
(24)
3
= 3log
b
24

4. Apply the logarithm of a power and logarithm of a quotient and
distributive property.
log
b
3
7
y
x
=
3
1
7
y
x
log
b
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
y
x
log
7
b
3
1

=
3
1
( log
b
x
7
log
b
y)
=
3
1
log
b
x
7
-
3
1
log
b
y
=
3
1
(7log
b
x) -
3
1
log
b
y
=
3
7
log
b
x -
3
1
log
b
y

Example 2: Write the following as a single logarithm. Simplify if possible.

1. log
4
12p + 9log
4
q
2. log
d
(h
2
16) log
4
(h + 4)

Solution:

1. The expression is an application of the logarithm of a power and
logarithm of a product.

log
4
12p + 9log
4
q = log
4
12p + log
4
q
9

= log
4
(12pq
9
)

2. The expression is an application of the logarithm of a quotient.
log
d
(h
2
16) log
d
(h + 4) =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ 4 h
16 - h
log
2
d



=
(
(

+
+
4 h
4) 4)(h - h (
log
d

= log
d
(h 4)

Example 3: Given that log 2 = 0.3010, log

3 = 0.4771, and log

5 = 0.6990,
determine-
1. log 15
2. log 0.4
3. log 3.6
4. log
4
625

5.
2
30
log
3


Solution:

Observe that no base was indicated in example 3. When no base is
indicated, it means that the base is 10. By convention, when base 10 is used we
write log x instead of log
10
x. We call this common logarithm. Thus, we will use
this convention from now on.

1. log 15 = log (35) = log 3 + log 5 = 0.4771 + 0.6990 = 1.1761

2. log 0.6 =
5
3
log = log 3 log 5 = 0.4771 0.6990 = -0.2219

3. log 3.6 =
5
18
log
=
5
3 2
log
2

= log 2 + log 3
2
log 5
= log 2 + 2log3 log 5
= 0.3010 + 2(0.4771) 0.6990
= 0.3010 + 0.9542 0.6990
= 0.5562

4. log

4
625
= ( )
4
1
125 log
= log( )
4
1
3
5
=
4
3
5 log
= 5 log
4
3

= ( ) 6990 . 0
4
3

= 0.52425




5.
2
30
log
3

= 2 log - 30 log
3

= ( ) 2 log 5 3 2 log -
3
1

= 2 log - ) 5 log 3 log 2 (log
3
1
+ +
= 0.3010 - ) 6990 . 0 4771 . 0 3010 . 0 (
3
1
+ +
= 3010 . 0 ) 4771 . 1 (
3
1

= 0.4924 0.3010
= 0.1914

Try this out

A. Express the following as a single logarithm and simplify:

1. log
2
192 + log
2
6
2. log
3
36 + log
3
4 log
3
16
3. log
5
3
625

4. log
7
98 + 2log
7
7 log
7
2
5.
2 log - 18 log 27 log
6
1
3 3 3
+

6. log
2
x + 3 log
2
y log
2
z
7. log (3x
2
+ 11x 20) log (3x 4)
8. log
b
(2x -5) + log
b
(x + 1)
9. 2log
a
x
3
+ 3log
a
y + 4log
a
z - 3log
a
w
10. ) 2 x log( 3 ) 4 - x log(
2
1

2
+ +

B. Given log 3 = 0.4771, log 5 = 0.6990, and log 7 = 0.8451, evaluate the
following applying the laws of logarithms:

1. log 21
2. log 63
3. log 4.2
4. log 49
2

5.
4
45 log
6.
7
75
og l
7.
9
49
log
8.
5
21 75
log
4

9.
( )
27
21
log
2

10.
5
147
log




C. If z = log 5, write the following expressions in terms of z:

1. log 25
2. log5
6

3.
125
1
log
4. log 25
5. log 5000


Lesson 5

Logarithmic Equations

Logarithmic equations are equations involving logarithmic functions.
From previous lesson, you learned that exponential functions and
logarithmic functions are inverses. Hence, the properties of these functions can
be used to solve equations involving these two functions.
Study the following examples illustrating how logarithmic equations are
solved.

Example 1: Solve the missing terms in the following logarithmic equations.

1. log
6
216 = x
2. log
x
81 =
3
2

3. log
25
x =
2
3

4. log
4
(5x + 4) = 3
5. log (2x
2
+ 4x 3) = log (x
2
+ 2x + 12)

Solutions:

1. Transform log
6
216 = x in exponential form, then solve for x.
6
x
= 216
6
x
= 6
3
x = 3
Check:
If x = 3, then 6
3
= 216.
log
6
216 = 3 and x = 3.

2. Transform log
x
81 =
3
2
in exponential form, then solve for x using the
properties of exponents.

81 x
3
2
=



4
3 x
3
2
=
( )
2
3
2
3
3
2
4
3 x =
|
.
|

\
|
Raise both sides to the same power and
x = 3
6
simplify
x = 729
Check:
If x = 729, then ( ) 81 3 3 729
4 6 3
2
3
2
= = = .
x = 729.
3. Transform log
25
x =
2
3
in exponential form, then solve for x using the
properties of exponents.
2
3
25 x=
( )
2
3
2
5 x=
x = 5
3

x = 125
Check:
25
2
3
= ( ) 125 5 5
3 2

2
3
= =
x = 125.

4. Transform log
4
(5x + 4) = 3 in exponential form, then solve for x.

5x + 4 = 4
3
5x + 4 = 64
5x = 64 4
5x = 60
12
60
x=
x = 5
Check:
If x = 5, then log
4
[5(12) + 4] = log
4
(60 + 4) = log
4
64 = 3.
x = 5

5. log (2x
2
- 7x 9) = log (x
2
- 9x + 6)

Since both sides of the equation are in base 10, then

2x
2
- 7x 9 = x
2
- 9x + 6
2x
2
- 7x 9 (x
2
- 9x + 6) = 0 Addition Property of Equality
x
2
+ 2x - 15 = 0 Simplify
(x + 5)(x - 3) = 0 Factoring
x + 5 = 0 or x - 3 = 0
x = -5 or x = 3



Check:
If x = -5, then log (2x
2
- 7x 9) = log [2(-5)
2
- 7(-5) 9]
= log [2(25) + 35 9]
= log (50 + 35 9)
= log 76
and log (x
2
- 9x + 6) = log [(-5)
2
- 9(-5) + 6]
= log (25 + 45 + 6)
= log 76.
Hence, x = -5 is a solution

If x = 3, then log
5
log (2x
2
- 7x 9) = log [2(3)
2
- 7(3) 9]
= log [2(9) 21 9]
= log (18 21 9)
= log (-12)
Hence, x = 3 is not a root since logarithms is defined only for positive
number.
x = -5 is the only solution.

Notice that to solve problems 1 to 4 the logarithmic equations were first
transformed to exponential form.

Example 2: Solve for x in the following exponential equations:

1. 5
x
= 9 2. 3
x

+ 7
= 2
x


Solutions:

Exponential equations involving different bases can be solved with the
use of logarithms and the aid of a scientific calculator or a table of
logarithms. In the case of the example 2, a scientific calculator will be used.

1. 5
x
= 9
log 5
x
= log 9 Get the logarithm of both sides.
xlog 5 = log 9 Logarithm of a Power

5 log
9 log
x= Multiplication Property of Equality

6990 . 0
9542 . 0
x = Replacement of value from the table or
calculator
x = 1.3651 Division Fact

Check:
Using a scientific calculator,
5
1.3651
= 9 (rounded to the nearest whole number)




2. 3
x

+ 2
= 2
x

log 3
x

+ 2
= log 2
x
Get the logarithm of both sides
(x + 2)log 3 = x log 2 Logarithm of a Power
x log 3 +log 3 = x log 2 Distributive Property
x log 3 x log 2 = -2log 3 Addition Property of Equality
x(log 3 log 2) = -2log 3 Factoring

2 log - 3 log
3 log 2
x

= Multiplication Property of Equality

0.3010 - 0.4771
2(0.4771) -
x = Replacement of value from the table or
calculator

1761 .
9542 . 0
x

= Multiplication Fact
x = -5.4185 Division Fact

Check:
Using a scientific calculator,
3
-5.4185

+ 2
= 2
-5.4185

3
-3.4185
= 2
-5.4185

0.0234 = 0.0234

Try this out

A. Solve for the missing term:

1. log
7
n = -3
2. log
4
512 = x
3. log
c
36 = -2
4. log
25
r =
2
7

5. log
p
256 = -7
6. log
8
128 = y
7. log x - log 12 = 3
8. log
5
x
5
- log
5
x
3
= 2
9. log p log 3 = 1
10. log
2
z + log
2
2z = 3
11. log
7
a + log
7
(a - 1) = log
7
12
12. log
3
y log
3
(y 2) = log
3
2
13. log x + log (x + 1) = log 20
14. log (3x 5) + log 2x = log 4
15. log 25x log 5 = 2
16. log
3
(x
2
16) log
3
(x + 4) = 2
17. log
5
(m + 5) l0g
5
(m + 1) = log
5
4
18. log
7
(q + 4) log
7
3 = log
7
(q 4)
19. log (14v
2
+ 35v) = log 3 + log (2v + 5)


20. log (21h
2
+ 50h 14) = log(3h
2
+ 25h + 14)

B. Solve the following exponential equations using logarithms:

1. 4
x
= 5
2. 3
2x
= 18
3. 5
x
+ 1 = 9
4. 5
x

2
= 4
x 1

5. 2
3x

+ 5
= 3
x




Lets Summarize

1. The inverse of the exponential function above is called logarithmic
function. The function is defined by the equation,

x = a
y
or y = log
a
x (a>0, a 1, x > 0)

read as y is the logarithm of x to the base a where a is the base, x is
the power and y is the exponent to which a is raised in order to obtain x.

2. The graph of the logarithmic function y = log
a
x can be obtained from the
graph of the exponential function y = a
x
. To do this, flip the graph of y = a
x

along the line y = x.

3. The properties of the graph logarithmic functions in the form y = a
x
, a > 1
are as follow:

a. The domain is the set of all positive real numbers and the range are all
real numbers.
b. The x-intercept is (1. 0) and its asymptote is the y-axis.
c. The function is positive for all x greater than 1 and negative for all x
less than 1.
d. The function is increasing.

4. The properties of the graph of logarithmic functions in the form y = a
x
,
0 < a < 1are as follow:

a. The domain is the set of all positive real numbers and the range are all
real numbers.
b. The x-intercept is (1. 0) and its asymptote is the y-axis.
c. The function is negative for all x greater than 1 and positive for all x
less than 1.
d. The function is decreasing.



5. The Law of Logarithms are as follows:

a. Logarithm of a Product: log
a
MN = log
a
M + log
a
N
b. Logarithm of a Quotient: N log M log
N
M
log
a a a
- = |
.
|

\
|

c. Logarithm of a Power: log
a
M
k
= klog
a
M

6. To solve simple logarithmic equations, transform the equation in
exponential form, then solve for the missing term.

7. To solve exponential equations involving different bases, find the
logarithm of both sides of the equation with the aid of a scientific calculator
or a table of logarithms then solve for the missing term applying the
properties of equality.



What have you learned

1. Which of the following is the inverse of y = a
x
?
a. y = ax
b. y = x
a

c. y = log
a
x
d. a = y
x


2. Which of the following is equivalent to log
4
64 = 3?
a. 3
4
= 64
b. 4
3
= 64
c. 64
4
= 3
d. 16
3
= 4

3. Which of the following is equivalent to ( )
3
1
27 = 3?
a. log
27
3 =
3
1

b. log
3
27 =
3
1

c. log
3
1
3 = 27
d. log
3
3
1
= 27

4. At what point does the graph of y = log
2
x intersect the x-axis?
a. (0, 1)
b. (0, 0)
c. (-1, 0)
d. (1, 0)

5. The graphs of y = 4
x
and y = log
4
x are symmetric with respect to what
line?
a. y = x + 1
b. y = 4x
c. y = x
d. y = 4
x


6. What is the point common to the graphs of functions y = log
3
x and
y = log
10
x?
a. (0, 0)
b. (1, 1)
c. (0, 1)
d. (1, 0)



7. Write 3 log a + 5 log

b 4 log

c as a single logarithm.
a. log
|
|
.
|

\
|

4
5 3
c
b a

b. log

(a
3
+ b
5
c
4
)
c. log

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
4
5 3
c
b a

d. none of the above

8. Simplify log
3
81 + log
3
3 log
3
9 as a single number.
a. 27
b. 5
c. 3
d. 2

9. Given that log
10
2 = 0.3010, log
10
3 = 0.4771, and log
10
5 = 0.6990, what is
log
10
7.5?
a. 0.5229
b. 0.0791
c. 0.8751
d. 1.4471

10. Determine the value of x if log
5
(8x - 7) = 2
a. 4.875
b. 4
c. 3.125
d. 2.25






Answer Key

How much do you know

1. d
2. a
3. a
4. c
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. d
9. b
10. d

Try this out

Lesson 1

A. 1. 2
5
= 32
2. 3
4
= 81
3. 12
1
= 12
4. 10
5
= 100000
5. 125
5
1
3
= |
.
|

\
|


6. 4
3
= 64
7. 2
-4
=
16
1

8. r
p
= t
9. a
s
= p
10. q
m
= p

B. 1. log
3
243 = 5
2. log
9
1 = 0
3. log
11
121 = 2
4. 4
81
16
log
3
2
=
5.
2
1
3
4
log
9
16
=
6. 2
36
1
log
6
=
7. 5
a
1
log
5
a
=
8.
2
1
4 log
16
=


9.
3
2
25 log
125
=
10.
3
2
16 log
64
=

C. 1. 2
2. 7
3. 3
4. 2
5. 0
6.
2
3

7.
3
1

8. -3
9. -4
10.
5
2


Lesson 2

A.
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30




1. y = log
3
x
y = 3
x


-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20


-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30


-6
-3
0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
-6 -3 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30

2. y = log
4
x
3. y = log
5
x
y = 4
x
y = 5
x
y =
x
3
1
|
.
|

\
|

4. y = x log
3
1



-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18



-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28


B. The graph of y = log
3
x has the same shape and size as the graph of
x log y
3
1
= . The same is true for the graphs of y = log
4
x and x log y
4
1
= ,
and y = log
5
x and x log y
5
1
= . The graphs of y = log
3
x, y = log
4
x and
y = log
5
x are increasing while the graphs of x log y
3
1
= , x log y
4
1
= , and
y=
x
4
1
|
.
|

\
|

5. y = x log
4
1

y =
x
5
1
|
.
|

\
|

6. y= x log
5
1



x log y
5
1
= are decreasing. The six graphs have a common point (1, 0).

Lesson 3
A.















B. Common Properties: Domain, range, x-intercepts, and asymptotes.

Lesson 4

A.
1. log
2
32 = 5
2. log
3
9 = 2
3.
3
4
log
5
5=
3
4

4. 4log
7
7 = 4
5.
2
5
log
3
3 =
2
5

6. log
z
xy
3
2

7. log (x+ 5)
8. log
b
(2x
2
3x 5)
9. log
3
4 3 6
a
w
z y x

10. log
3 2
) 2 x ( 4 x +
B.
1. 1.3222
2. 1.7993
3. 0.6232
4. 3.3804
5. 0.4133
6. 1.03
7. -0.1091
8. 1.5066
9. 1.2131
10. 1.8178

C.
1. 2z
2. 6z
3. -3z
4. z
5. z + 3


No
.
Equation Domain Range x-intercept Asymptote Trend
1 y = log
3
x + Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis increasing
2 y = log
4
x + Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis increasing
3 y = log
5
x + Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis increasing
4 x log y
3
1
=

+ Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis decreasing
5 x log y
4
1
=

+ Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis decreasing
6 x log y
5
1
=

+ Real Nos. Real Nos. (1, 0) y-axis decreasing


Lesson 5

A.
1.
343
1

2.
2
9

3.
6
1

4. 78125
5.
2
1

6.
3
7

7. 12000
8. 5
9. 30
10. 2
11. 4
12. 4
13. 4
14. 2
15. 20
16. 13
17.
3
1

18. 8
19.
7
3

20. 3

B.
1. 1.16
2. 1.32
3. 1.29
4. 8.21
5. -3.53

What have you learned

1. c
2. b
3. a
4. d
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. c
9. c
10. b