Chapter 5

Transcendental and Non- Transcendental

Functions

Chapter Objectives
1. To identify the definition and define the types of transcendental functions.
2. To perform the functions of the types of transcendental functions.
3. To determine the non-transcendental functions.

In this chapter, we discuss the nature of transcendental functions, as well as non-

transcendental functions. We talk about the different functions that are commonly related to this
topic, such as exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and inverse
trigonometric functions. And also, discuss the common types of non-transcendental functions.
Introduction

A function that isn't an algebraic function is a function that "transcends" and cannot be
described in terms of algebra.

It is a function in mathematics that cannot be expressed by combining addition,

subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to a power, and extracting a root. Examples include
any functions that contain the operators log x, sin x, cos x, and e×. These functions can only be
expressed algebraically as infinite series. Transcendental often refers to something non-algebraic.

Other, so-called transcendental functions are very beneficial in both theory and practice.
And the exponential function, logarithmic function, trigonometric function, and inverse
trigonometric function are the four most significant among them.
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
5.1 Exponential Functions

Learning Objectives
The learner should be able to:
1. To define what exponential function is.
2. To determine and perform basic functions of exponential functions.
3. To identify the characteristics of exponential functions.

A mathematical function with the form f (x) = aˣ is an exponential function, where "a" is
a constant that serves as the function's base, a > 0, and a ≠ 1.
The following graph of the basic exponential function f (x) = aˣ, will provide a clear
understanding of the properties of exponential functions.

f(x)=aˣ, a>1 f(x)=aˣ, 0<a<1

Domain: (−∞, ∞) Range: (0, ∞)

When a > 1, the graph strictly increases as x. The graph will pass through (0,1) regardless
of the value of a because aº =1. We can note from this graph that the entire graph lies above the
x-axis. This is because the range of y is all positive real numbers.

When 0 < a < 1, the graph strictly decreases. Still, all the values will be above the x-axis.
This is because the range of y = ax is all positive real numbers.
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

From the above graphs, we can conclude the following:

 The graph passes through (0,1) irrespective of the base value.
 When a > 1, the graph increases as x. Thus, it is concave up.
 When 0 < a < 1, the graph decreases as x. It is concave up.
 The graph lies above the x-axis.
 The x-axis is the horizontal asymptote for the graph.

Exponential Functions Examples

Some examples of exponential functions are:

EXAMPLE 1
Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range: f ( x)=10x +5
Solution:
The base 10 is used often, most notably with scientific notation. Hence, 10 is called the
common base. The exponential function y=10 x is so important that you will find a button 10 x
dedicated to it on most modern scientific calculators. In this example, we will sketch the basic
graph y=10 x and then shift it up 5 units.

Note that the horizontal asymptote of the basic graph y=10 x was shifted up 5 units to
y = 5 (shown dashed). Take a minute to evaluate a few values of x with your calculator and
convince yourself that the result will never be less than 5.
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

ANSWER:

Domain: (−∞, ∞) (−∞, ∞)

Range: (5, ∞)

EXAMPLE 2
Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range: f (x)=5− x – 10.

Solution:
Begin with the basic graph y=5−x – 10 and shift it down 10 units.

The y-intercept is (0, −9) and the horizontal asymptote is y = −10.

 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

ANSWER:

Domain: (−∞, ∞) (−∞, ∞)

Range: (−10, ∞)

EXAMPLE 3
Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range: g( x )=−2 x−3 .

Solution:
Begin with the basic graph y=2x and identify the transformations.
x
y=2 Basic graph
x
y=−2 Reflection about the x-axis
x−3
y=−2 Shift right 3 units
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Note that the horizontal asymptote remains the same for all of the transformations. To
finish we usually want to include the y-intercept. Remember that to find the y-intercept we set
x = 0.
0−3
g ( 0 )=−2

= −2−3
3
−1
=
2
−1
=
8
Therefore, the y-intercept is (0, −18).

ANSWER:

Domain: (−∞, ∞) (−∞, ∞)

Range: (−∞,0)
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Exponential Function Formula

If ‘a’ is any number such that a>0, and a≠1, then the exponential function formula is:
f(x)=aˣ , where the variable x occurs as an exponent and is a real number.
If x is negative, the function is undefined for -1 < x <1.
The following exponential function examples explain how the value of base ‘a’ affects
the equation.

 If the base value a is one or zero, the exponential function would be:

f(x) = 0x =0
f(x) = 1x =1

Thus, these become constant functions and do not possess properties

similar to general exponential functions.

 If the base value is negative, we get complex values on the function evaluation.
a = -4 the function would be,
f (x)=(−4)x ⇒ f (1/2)=(−4)½= √−4
So, we avoid 0, 1, and negative base values because we want only real
numbers to arise from the evaluation of exponential functions.

Properties of Exponential Functions

Theorem of Exponential Functions
If a > 0 and a ≠ 1, then f(x) = aˣ is a continuous function with domain ℝ and range (0, ∞).
In particular, aˣ > 0 for all x. If a,b > 0 and x,y ℝ, then:

1. Rule of Product
When the base is the same, the exponents will get added upon the multiplication
of the bases. The example illustrates the rule.
x y x+y
a a =a ,
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Example:
2 3 2+3
7 7 =7
⇒ 75 = 16,807

2. Rule of Quotient
When the base is the same number, the exponents will be subtracted from the
division of the bases.
x
a x− y
y
=a ,
a

Example:
4
7 4−2
2
=7
7
⇒ 72 = 49

3. Power Rule
When power has an exponent, the base will be the same, and the exponents will
multiply.
x xy
(a )ʸ =a ,

Example:
(72 )³= 72 • 3
⇒ 76 = 117, 649

4. Power of a Product
When two different bases have the same exponents as power, the bases will
multiply, and the product will have the same power.
x x x
a b =(ab) ,

Example:
2 2 2
3 4 =(3• 4)
⇒ 122= 144
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
5. Power of a Fraction Rule
When a fraction is raised to a power, both the denominator and numerator will
have the same power/exponent.
x x
a a
( ) = x,
b b

Example:
2 2
9 9
( )= 2
3 3
81
⇒ =9
9

6. Zero Exponents Rule

Any number to the power zero is equal to 1.

0
a =1
0
⇒ 2 =1

7. Negative Exponent Rule

A number with a negative exponent can be written as 1 divided by the number
which is raised to the exponent without the negative sign. So, the negative power
turns positive in the denominator.
−x 1/¿
a = x ,¿
a

Example:
−2 1
2 = 2
2
1
⇒
4

Proof:
 This is true for positive integer exponents by natural definition.
 Our conventional definitions make these true for rational exponents.

Non-Transcendental Function
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
A function that is not transcendental is known as an algebraic function. Rational
functions and square root functions are examples of transcendental functions. The indefinite
integral of many transcendental functions is considered to be transcendental. For example,
logarithmic functions are derived from reciprocal functions to find the area of the hyperbolic
sector.
However, there are several settings where transcendental functions are used where what
matters is the properties of the function, rather than its precise, transcendental nature. And based
on our research, some authors, therefore, propose that, in these settings, one may replace certain
transcendental functions with non-transcendental functions that look like the original functions
but are easier to compute. They call these functions not quite transcendental (NQT). NQT
functions are not necessarily approximations of transcendental functions, although they may be
(and have broadly been) applied that way. Rather they are exact functional representations of
themselves that share desirable properties of a given transcendental function.

5.2 Logarithmic Functions

Learning Objectives
The learner should be able to:
1. Represent real-life situations using logarithmic functions
2. Distinguish logarithmic function, logarithmic equation, and logarithmic inequality
3. Solve logarithmic equations, inequalities, and problems involving logarithmic functions,
equations, and inequalities.

The logarithm of a positive number y to a positive base b where b is ≠ 1 is the exponent x to

which the base must be raised to obtain the number y. Hence, if b >0, b ≠ 1, and b, x, and y are
related by the equation y = b, then, x which is the exponent of the base b is the logarithm of y to
the base b. Thus, the relation y=bx can also be expressed by the equation:
x=log b y
The logarithmic function and exponential function are inverses of each other. Hence, y = bx
can be expressed as x=log b y read as “the logarithm of y to the base b is x.”

Exponential to Logarithmic Function

Examples:
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
1. 52 = 25 is equivalent to log 5 25 = 2, where b = 5, x = 2, and y = 25.
1 1 1
2. 4 = 2 is equivalent to l og4 2 = , where b = 4, x = , and y = 2.
2 2 2
1 1 1
3. 3−2= is equivalent to log3 = -2, where b = 3, x = , and y = -2.
9 9 9
1 1 1
4. 0.001 = is equivalent to log = -3, where b = 10, x = , and y = -3.
1000 1000 1000
Logarithmic to Exponential Function
Examples:
1. log 5 625=4 is equivalent to54 =625
2. log 1000=4 is equivalent to 104 =1000
3. log e e 2 = 2 is the same as ln e 2=2 is equivalent to e 2=e 2

Logarithms/Natural Logarithm (ln)

The following properties/laws of logarithms are to be applied in solving problems of
logarithms.

Properties of Logarithms /Natural Logarithm (ln)

a. The logarithm of 1 to any base b is equal to 0, which is log b 1 = 0 ln 1 = 0. Note that any
number raised to zero is always 1.
Examples:
log 13 1=0

log √5 1=0

ln 1=0

b. The logarithm of b to the base b is equal to 1, that isl ogb b = 1; ln e.

Examples:
3
log 0.5 =1
4
log 10=1
log e e=1

c. The logarithm of bx to the base b is equal to x, that is log b b x = x; ln e x = x.

Examples:
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
ln e √ 2=√ 2
3
log 4 4 =3
1 −1
2
log 100=log 10 =2 ln =ln e =−1
e
−4 2 x+ 1
log 5 5 =4 ln e =2 x +1

1 x 1
d. The logarithm of b to the base b x is equal to that is lo g b b = .
x x
Examples:
1
log 3 6=
6
2
1
log 10 10=
6
6
1
log 2 √ 2=
2

e. The logarithm of a product of M and N to the base b is equal to the sum of the logarithm
of M and N to the base b, that is, log b MN = log b M + log b N.
Examples:
log 2 3 x=log 2 3+log 2 x
log 3 ( 5)(4)=log 3 5+ log 3 4
ln xyz=ln x+ ln y+ ln z

f. The logarithm of a quotient of M and N to the base b is equal to the difference of the
M
logarithm of M and N to the base b, illustrated as l ogb = log b M −l og b N .
N
Examples:
3
log =log 3−log 4
4
16
log 2 =log 2 16−log 2 x
x
1
ln =ln 1−ln 2
2

g. The logarithm of a power is illustrated by the equation,log b M n=n log b M .

Examples:
5
log 2 =5 log 2
−3
log 5 x =−3 log 5
1
1
ln (x+1) 2 = ln (x+1)
2
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Solving Logarithmic Functions

To solve a logarithmic function/equation, rewrite first the function/equation in
exponential form; then solve for the variable.

Remember that:
x x
log b b =x ln e =x
x

b logb =1
ln x
e =x

Examples:
1. Solve for x in log 3 x=5
Solution:
log 3 x=5
5
x=3 Exponential form
x=243

1
2. Solve for x in log 27 =x
9
Solution:
1
log 27 =x
9
x 1
27 Exponential Form
9
3 x=−2 Equate the exponent

(3¿¿ 3) =3 Express with the same base

x −2
¿
x −2
=
3 3
−2 Solve for x
x=
3
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

3. Solve for x in log x 216=x

Solution:
log x 216=3

3
x =216 Exponential Form

1 1
3 3 3 Raise to the same exponent
[ x ] =[216]

x=6 Solve for x

5.3 Trigonometric Function

Trigonometric function means that the relationship between the angles and sides
of a triangle is given by these trig functions. It's also known as Circular Functions and
can be simply defined as the functions of an angle of a triangle. The basic trigonometric
functions are sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant. Also, you can read
trigonometric identities here. Several trigonometric formulas and identities denote the
relationship between the functions and help to find the angles of the triangle. All these
trigonometric functions with their formula are explained here elaborately, to make them
understandable to the readers. The angles of sine, cosine, and tangent are the primary
classification of functions of trigonometry. And the three functions which are cotangent,
secant, and cosecant can be derived from the primary functions.
The other three functions are often used as compared to the primary trigonometric
functions.

1. Sine (sin) function of an angle is the ratio between the opposite side length to that
of the hypotenuse.

Opposite CB
sin a = =
Hypothenuse CA

2. Cosine (cos) of an angle is the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length
of the hypotenuse.

Adjacent AB
cos a = =
Hypotenuse CA
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
3. Secant, cosecant, and cotangent are the three additional functions that are derived
from the primary functions of sine, cos, and tan. The reciprocal of sine, cos, and
tan are cosecant (csc), secant (sec), and cotangent (cot) respectively.

1 Hypotenuse CA
sec a = = =
cos a Adjacent AB

1 Hypotenuse CA
csc a = = =
sin a Opposite CB

1 Adjacent BA
cot a = = =
tan a Opposite CB

Formulas:
RECIPROCAL IDENTITIES
Formulas for Angle θ Reciprocal Identities
Opposite Side 1
sin θ= sin θ=
Hypotenuse csc θ

Adjacent Side 1
cos θ= cos θ=
Hypotenuse sec θ

Opposite Side 1
tanθ= tanθ=
Adjacent cot θ

Adjacent Side 1
cot θ= cot θ=
Opposite tan θ

Hypotenuse 1
sec θ= sec θ=
Adjacent Side cos θ

Hypotenuse 1
csc θ= csc θ=
Opposite sin θ

Identities:
a. Even and Odd Functions
 CHAPTER 5: TRANSCENDENTAL AND
NON- TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
The cos and sec functions are even functions; the rest of the other functions are
odd functions.

sin(−x)=−sin xcos (−x)=cos x tan(−x)=−tan xcot (−x)=−cot x

csc(−x)=−csc x sec (−x)=sec x

b. Periodic Functions
The trig functions are the periodic functions. The smallest periodic cycle is 2π but
for tangent and the cotangent, it is π.

sin( x+2 nπ )=sin xcos (x +2 nπ)=cos x tan(x +nπ )=tan xcot (x+ nπ)=cot x
csc( x+2 nπ )=csc x sec (x+ 2 nπ)=sec x

Where n is any integer.

c. Pythagorean Identities
When the Pythagoras theorem is expressed in the form of trigonometry functions,
it is said to be Pythagorean identity. There are three majorly identities:

2 2 2 2 2 2
s ¿ x+ cos x=11+t an x=sec xc sc x=1+c ot x

These three identities are of great importance in Mathematics, as most of the

trigonometry questions are prepared in exams based on them. Therefore, students should
memorize these identities to solve such problems easily.