Logarithmic

Functions
Lesson Outline:

▪Logarithms, including common and

natural logarithms
Introduction to Logarithms

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 = 𝒃𝒙 .
 Introduction to Logarithms

Exponential Function Inverse function

𝒚 = 𝒃𝒙 . 𝒙 = 𝒃𝒚 .
You will notice that the inverse of the exponential function
shows that “𝒚 is the exponent to which the base 𝒃 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 = 𝒃𝒚 or 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 (𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1, 𝑥 > 0)
Introduction to Logarithms

𝒙 = 𝒃𝒚 or 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 (𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1, 𝑥 > 0)

The equation of a logarithmic function is read as

“𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒙 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒃”. Take note that
in the notation, 𝒃 is the base, 𝒙 is the power and 𝒚 is the
exponent to which 𝒃 is raised in order to obtain 𝒙.
Definition:

Let 𝒂, 𝒃, and 𝒄 be positive real numbers such

that 𝒃 ≠ 𝟏. The 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒎 of 𝒂 with base 𝒃
is denoted by 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒂, and is defined as
𝒄
𝒄 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒂 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝒂 = 𝒃
Reminders.

1. In both the logarithmic and exponential forms, 𝒃 is the

base. In the exponential form, 𝒄 is an exponent; this
implies that the logarithm is actually an exponent. Hence,
logarithmic and exponential functions are inverses.
2. In the logarithmic form 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙, 𝒙 cannot be negative.
3. The value of 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 can be negative.
 Definition:

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒎𝒔
are logarithms with base 10; 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒙 is a short
notation for 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝒙.

𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒎𝒔
are logarithms to the base 𝒆 (𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 2.71828),
and are denoted by “𝐥𝐧”. In other words, 𝐥𝐧 𝒙 is another
way of writing 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒆 𝒙 .
 Example 1.

Rewrite the following exponential equations in logarithmic

form, whenever possible.
a. 53 = 125 b. 7−2 = 1/49 c. 102 = 100
2 −4 0
d. (2/3) = 4/9 e. (0.1) = 10000 f. 4 = 1
g. 7𝑏 = 21 h. 𝑒 2 = 𝑥 i. (– 2)2 = 4
 Solution.

a. log 5 125 = 3 b. log 7 (1Τ49) = −2

c.log 100 = 2 d. log (2Τ3) (4Τ9) = 2
e. log 0.1 10000 = −4 f. log 4 1 = 0
g. log 7 21 = 𝑏 h. ln 𝑥 = 2
i. 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚
 Example 2.

Rewrite the following logarithmic equations in

exponential form.
a. log 𝑚 = 𝑛 b.log 3 81 = 4
c. log 5 5 = 2 d. log (3Τ4) (64Τ27) = −3
e. log 4 2 = 1Τ2 f. log10 0.001 = −3
g. ln 8 = 𝑎
 Solution.

𝑛 4
a. 10 = 𝑚 b. 3 = 81
2 −3
c. 5 =5 d. (3/4) = 64/27
1Τ2 −3
e. 4 =2 f. 10 = 0.001
𝑎
g. 𝑒 = 8
 Example 3.

Find the value of the following logarithmic

expressions.
a. log 2 32 b. log 9 729
c. log 0.001 d. log (1Τ2) 16
e. log 7 1 f. log 5 5
Solution.

a. 5 b. 3

c. – 3 d. – 4

e. 0 f. 1
Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

1.Logarithmic equations, logarithmic inequalities,

and logarithmic functions
2.Basic properties of logarithms.
3. Simplifying logarithmic expressions.
 Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

The definitions of exponential equations, inequalities, and

functions are shown below.
Logarithmic Logarithmic Logarithmic
Equation Inequality Function
Function of the
An equation An inequality
form
Definition involving involving
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙
logarithms. logarithms.
(𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1).
Example log 𝑥 27 = 3 ln 𝑥 2 > (ln 𝑥) 2 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙
Logarithmic Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

A logarithmic equation or inequality can be

solved for all 𝒙 values that satisfy the equation or
inequality. A logarithmic function expresses a
relationship between two variables (such as 𝒙
and 𝒚), and can be represented by a table of
values or a graph.
 Example 1.

Determine whether the given is a logarithmic function, a

logarithmic equation, a logarithmic inequality or neither.
1. 𝑔 𝑥 = log 5 𝑥
2. 𝑦 = 2log 4 𝑥
3. log 4𝑥 = − log 3𝑥 + 5
4. 𝑥 log 2 𝑥 − 1 > 0
5. log 𝑥 𝑥 − 3 = − log 4
 Basic Properties of Logarithms

Definition:
Let b and 𝒙 be real numbers such that
𝒃 > 𝟎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃 ≠ 𝟏 , the basic properties of
logarithms are as follows:
➢𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝟏 = 𝟎
➢𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒃𝒙 = 𝒙
log 𝑥
➢𝐈𝐟 𝐱 > 𝟎, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝒃 𝑏 =𝒙
 Example 2.

Use the basic properties of logarithms to find the value

of the following logarithmic expressions.
a. log 10 b. ln 𝑒 3

c. log 4 64 d. log 5 (1Τ125)

e. 5 log 5 2 f. log 1
Solution.

1
log 10 = log10 10 = 1 (Property 2)
3 3
ln 𝑒 = log 𝑒 𝑒 = 3 (Property 2)
3
log 4 64 = log 4 4 = 3 (Property 2)
−3
log 5 (1Τ125) = log 5 5 = −3 (Property 2)
5 log 5 2
=2 (Property 3)
log 7 1 = 0 (Property 1)
Try This!

Use the basic properties of logarithms to find the value of

the following logarithmic expressions:
a. log 7 7
ln 5
b. 𝑒
𝑥2
c. log 10
d. log 3 1
(𝑥+1)
e. ln 𝑒
Laws of Logarithms

1. Laws of logarithms

2. Change of base formula

 Laws of Logarithms
Let 𝒃 > 𝟎, 𝒃 ≠ 𝟏 and let 𝒏 ∈ ℝ . For 𝒖 > 𝟎, 𝒗 > 𝟎, then
1. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 (𝒖𝒗) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: log 3 2𝑥 = log 3 2 + log 3 𝑥
2. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 (𝒖/𝒗) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: log 2 (4/9) = log 2 4 − log 2 9
3. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖𝒏 = 𝒏 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆: log 5 43 = 3 log 5 4
 Example 1.

Use the properties of logarithms to expand each expression

in terms of the logarithms of the factors. Assume each
factor is positive
𝟐
a. 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝒂𝒃 )
b. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 (𝟑/𝒙)𝟑
c. 𝐥𝐧[𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟓 ]
 Solution.
2 2
a. log(𝑎𝑏 ) = log 𝑎 + log 𝑏
= log 𝑎 + 2log 𝑏

b. log 3 (3/𝑥)3 = 3 log 3 (3/𝑥)

= 3(log 3 3 − log 3 𝑥)
= 3(1 − log 3 𝑥)
= 3 − 3 log 3 𝑥

c. ln[𝑥 𝑥 − 5 ] = ln 𝑥 + ln(𝑥 + 5)
 Example 2.

Use the properties of logarithm to condense the

expressions as a single logarithm.
a. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓
b. 𝟐 𝐥𝐧 𝒙 − 𝐥𝐧 𝒚
𝟐
c. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝒙 − 𝟑𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝒙
d. 𝟐 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓
 Solution.

a. log 2 + log 5 = log(2 .5)

= log 10

2
b. 2 ln 𝑥 − ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 − ln 𝑦
2
= ln(𝑥 /𝑦)
 Solution.

c. log 5 𝑥 2 2
− 3log 5 𝑥 = log 5 − log 5
𝑥 𝑥 3
2 3
= log 5 (𝑥 /𝑥 )
= log 5 (1/𝑥)
−1
= log 5 𝑥
= −log 5 𝑥
 Solution.

d.
2 = 2 1 ⟶ 1 = log 10
2 log 10 = log 102
2 = log 100

2 − log 5 = log 100 − log 5

= log 100/5
= log 20
Change-of-base formula

Any logarithmic expression can be expressed as a

quotient of two logarithmic expressions with a common
base. Let 𝒂, 𝒃, and 𝒙 be positive real numbers, with
𝒂 ≠ 𝟏, 𝒃 ≠ 𝟏
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 =
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒃
Example 3.

Use the change-of-base formula to rewrite the following

logarithmic expressions to the indicated base.

a. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟔 𝟒 (change to base 2)

b. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏Τ𝟐 𝟐 (change to base e)

 Solution.

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙
a. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 =
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒃

log2 4
log 6 4 =
log2 6

2
=
log2 6
 Solution.
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙
b. 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒃
ln 2
log 1Τ2 2 =
ln1Τ2
ln 2
=
ln 1− ln 2
ln 2
=
0−ln 2
ln 2
=
− ln 2
= −1
 Property of Logarithmic Equations

If 𝒃 > 𝟏, then the logarithmic function 𝐲 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙

is increasing for all 𝒙.
If 𝟎 < 𝒃 < 𝟏, then the logarithmic function
𝐲 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 is decreasing for all 𝒙.
This means that 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗 if and only if 𝒖 = 𝒗.

One-to-One Property of Logarithmic Function

For any logarithmic function 𝒇(𝐱) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙,
if 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒖 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒗 then 𝒖 = 𝒗.
Some strategies for solving logarithmic equations:

1. Rewriting to exponential form;

2. Using logarithmic properties;
3. Applying the one-to-one property of
logarithmic functions;
4. The Zero Factor Property:
If 𝑎𝑏 = 0, then 𝑎 = 0 or 𝑏 = 0
Example 1.
Find the value of 𝒙 in the following equations.
log 4 2𝑥 = log 4 10
Solution.
log 4 2𝑥 = log 4 10
2𝑥 = 10
𝑥=5
Example 2.
Find the value of 𝒙 in the following equations.
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2
Solution.
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) = 2
2𝑥 – 1 = 32
2𝑥 – 1 = 9
2𝑥 = 10
𝑥=5
Example 3.
Find the value of 𝒙 in the following equations.
log 𝑥 16 = 2
Solution.
log 𝑥 16 = 2 4 is a solution since log 4 16 is
defined. However, – 4 is not a
𝟐
𝑥 = 16 solution since log −4 16 is not
𝑥 𝟐 −16 = 0 defined
(𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆).
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 – 4) = 0
𝑥 = 4, −4
 Example 4.
log 2 𝑥 + 1 + log 2 𝑥 − 1 = 3
Solution.
log 2 𝑥 + 1 + log 2 𝑥 − 1 = 3
log 2 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 = 3
3 is a solution since (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 – 1) = 23
log 2 3 + 1 and log 2 3 − 1 2
are defined. However, – 3 is 𝑥 −1=8
not a solution since 2
𝑥 =9
log 2 −3 + 1 = log 2 −2
is not defined. 𝑥 = ±3
 Example 5.

2
(log 𝑥) + 2 log 𝑥 − 3 = 0
Solution.
(log 𝑥)2 + 2 log 𝑥 − 3 = 0
Let log 𝑥 = 𝐴
𝐴2 + 2𝐴 – 3 = 0
(𝐴 + 3)(𝐴 − 1) = 0
 Example 5.

(𝐴 + 3)(𝐴 − 1) = 0
𝐴+3=0 𝐴−1=0
log 𝑥 + 3 = 0 log 𝑥 − 1 = 0
log 𝑥 = −3 log 𝑥 = 1
−3
𝑥 = 10 𝑥 = 101
1
𝑥= Both are solutions since
1000 log(1/1000) and log 10 are defined.
Property of Logarithmic Inequalities

If 𝟎 < 𝒃 < 𝟏, then 𝒙𝟏 < 𝒙𝟐 if and only if

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙𝟏 > 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙𝟐

If 𝒃 > 𝟏, then 𝒙𝟏 < 𝒙𝟐 if and only if

𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙𝟏 < 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙𝟐 .
 Example 1.
Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) > log 3 (𝑥 + 2)
Solution. Step 1.
Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
Then 2𝑥 – 1 > 0 and 𝑥 + 2 > 0 must be satisfied.
2𝑥 – 1 > 0 implies 𝑥 > 1/2 and 𝑥 + 2 > 0 implies 𝑥 > – 2.
To make both logarithms defined, then 𝑥 > 1/2.
(If 𝑥 > 1/2, then 𝑥 is surely greater than – 2.)
 Example 1.
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) > log 3 (𝑥 + 2)
Solution. Step 2.
Ensure that the inequality is satisfied. The 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 3 is greater than 1.
log 3 (2𝑥 − 1) > log 3 (𝑥 + 2)
2𝑥 − 1 > 𝑥 + 2
2𝑥 − 𝑥 > 2 + 1
𝑥>3
Hence, the solution is (3, +∞) or 𝑥𝜖ℝ 𝑥 > 3
 Example 2.
Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
– 2 < log 𝑥 < 2
Solution. Step 1.
Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
This means that 𝑥 > 0.
Step 2.
Ensure that the inequality is satisfied.
Rewrite – 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 as logarithms to the 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 10
 Example 2.
– 2 < log 𝑥 < 2
Solution. Step 2.
−2
log 10 log 102
log 10−2 < log 𝑥 < log 102
log 10−2 < log 𝑥 log 𝑥 < log 102
10−2 < 𝑥 𝑥 < 10 2
1 𝑥 < 100
<𝑥
100
Hence, the solution is (1/100, 100).
 Example 3.
Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < 2
Solution. Step 1.
Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
3𝑥 − 5 > 0
3𝑥 > 5
5
𝑥>
3
 Example 1.
log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < 2
Solution. Step 2.
log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < 2 2 = 2(1) ⟹ 1 = log 8 8
log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < log 8 82 2 1 = 2log 8 8
log 8 (3𝑥 − 5) < log 8 64 2
= log 8 8
3𝑥 − 5 < 64
3𝑥 < 69 note that 𝑥 > 5/3 from the first condition
𝑥 < 23
Therefore, the solution is (5/3, 23)
 Example 3.
– 2 < log 𝑥 < 2
Solution. Step 2.
−2
log 10 log 102
log 10−2 < log 𝑥 < log 102
log 10−2 < log 𝑥 log 𝑥 < log 102
10−2 < 𝑥 𝑥 < 10 2
1 𝑥 < 100
<𝑥
100
Hence, the solution is (1/100, 100).
 Earthquake Magnitude on a Richter scale

The magnitude 𝑹 of an earthquake is given by

𝟐 𝑬
𝑹 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟒.𝟒𝟎
𝟑 𝟏𝟎
Where: 𝐸 (𝑖𝑛 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠) is the energy released by the earthquake.
(the quantity 104.40 joules is the energy released by a very small
reference earthquake).
The formula indicates that the magnitude of an earthquake is based
on the logarithm of the ratio between the energy it releases and the
energy released by the reference earthquake.
 Example 1.

Suppose that an earthquake released

12
approximately 10 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 of energy.
(a) What is its magnitude on a Richter scale?
(b) How much more energy does this earthquake
release than the reference earthquake?
Solution.

(a) Since 𝐸 = 1012 , then

2 1012
𝑅 = log 4.40
3 10
7.6
Since by definition, log 10 is the exponent by which
7.6
10 must be raised to obtain 10 , then,
log 107.6 = 7.6
2
Thus, 𝑅 = 7.6 = 5.066 7
3
Solution.

(b) This earthquake releases

10 /10 = 10  39810717
12 4.40 7.6

Thus,
39810717 times more energy than the
reference earthquake.
 Sound Intensity

In acoustics, the 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒍 (𝒅𝑩) level of a sound is

𝑰
𝑫 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐥𝐨𝐠 −𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟎

where 𝑰 is the sound intensity in𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔/𝒎𝟐

(the quantity 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔/𝒎𝟐 is least audible

sound a human can hear)
Example 2.

The decibel level of sound in a quiet office is

𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔/𝒎𝟐 .
(a) What is the corresponding sound intensity in
decibels?
(b) How much more intense is this sound than the
least audible sound a human can hear?
Solution.

𝟏𝟎−𝟔
(a) 𝑫 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐥𝐨𝐠 −𝟏𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟔
𝟏𝟎
Since by definition, 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟔 is the exponent by
which 10 must be raised to obtain 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟔 , then
𝟔
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟔.
Thus,
𝐷 = 10(6) = 𝟔𝟎 decibels.
Solution.

This sound is
𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝟔
= 𝟏𝟎 = 1,000,000
𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐
1,000,000 times more intense than the least
audible sound a human can hear.
Acidity and the pH scale
The 𝒑𝑯 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 of a water-based solution is
defined as
+
𝒑𝑯 = – 𝐥𝐨𝐠[𝑯 ] ,
+
where [𝑯 ] is the concentration of hydrogen ions in
moles per liter.
Solutions with a pH of 𝟕 are defined neutral; those with
𝒑𝑯 < 𝟕 are acidic, and those with 𝒑𝑯 > 𝟕 are basic.
Example 3.

A 1 − 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟 solution contains 0.00001 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 of hydrogen ions. Find its

𝑝𝐻 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙.
Solution.
Since there are 0.00001 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 of hydrogen ions in 1 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟, then the
concentration of hydrogen ions is 10−5 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟.
The pH level is – log 10−5 . Since log 10−5 is the exponent by which 10
must be raised to obtain 10−5 , then
log 10−5 = –5.
Thus, 𝑝𝐻 =– 𝑙𝑜𝑔 10−5 = – (– 5) = 5.
 Graphing Logarithmic Functions
In the following examples, the graph is obtained by first plotting
a few points. Results will be generalized later on.
Example 1. Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙.
Solution.
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given
function. A table of values for 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 is as follows:
1 1 1 1
𝒙 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
𝒚 -4 −3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them
using a smooth curve.
Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them
using a smooth curve.
 Graphing Logarithmic Functions

It can be observed that the function is defined

only for 𝑥 > 0. The function is strictly increasing, and
attains all real values. As 𝒙 approaches 0 from the
right, the function decreases without bound, 𝑖. 𝑒. , the
line 𝑥 = 0 is a 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒆.
Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Example 2. Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏Τ𝟐 𝒙
Solution.
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given
function. A table of values for 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏Τ𝟐 𝒙 is as follows:

1 1 1 1
𝒙 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
𝒚 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3
Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them
using a smooth curve.
Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them
using a smooth curve.
Graphing Logarithmic Functions

It can be observed that the function is defined

only for 𝒙 > 𝟎. The function is strictly decreasing,
and attains all real values. As 𝒙 approaches 𝟎 from
the right, the function increases without bound,
i.e., the line 𝒙 = 𝟎 is a vertical asymptote.
In general, the graphs of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒃 𝒙 where 𝒃 > 𝟎 and 𝒃 ≠ 𝟏
are shown below.
PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS:

1. The domain is the set of all positive numbers, or

{𝒙|𝒙 ∈ ℝ |𝒙 > 𝟎}
2. The 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 is the set of all real numbers.
3. It is a one-to-one function. It satisfies the Horizontal
Line Test.
4. The 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 is 1. There is no 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡.
5. The 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 is the line 𝑥 = 0
(or the y-axis). There is 𝑛𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒.
 Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Example 3. Sketch the graphs of 𝒚 = 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙. Determine
the domain, range, vertical asymptote, x-intercept, and zero.
Solution.
The graph of 𝒚 = 𝟐 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 can be obtained from the graph of
𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 by multiplying each 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 by 2, as the
following table of signs
1 1 1 1
𝒙 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
𝒚 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
Analysis:

a. Domain: {𝒙|𝒙 ∈ ℝ |𝒙 > 𝟎}

b. Range : {𝒚|𝒚 ∈ ℝ }
c. Vertical Asymptote: 𝑥 = 0
d. 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡: 1
e. Zero: 1
Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Example 4. Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟏
Solution.
Sketch the graph of the basic function 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝒙.
Note that the base 𝟑 > 𝟏.
The “– 𝟏” means vertical 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝟏 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕.
Some points on the graph of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 𝒙 are
(1,0), (3,1), and (9,2).
Shift these points 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 to obtain
(1, – 1), (3,0), and (9,1). Plot these points.
Analysis:

a. Domain: {𝒙|𝒙 ∈ ℝ |𝒙 > 𝟎}

b. Range : {𝒚|𝒚 ∈ ℝ }
c. Vertical Asymptote: 𝑥 = 0
d. 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡: 1
e. Zero: 1
Practice and
Application
Find the value/s of x in the following
equations/inequalities.
1. log 3 9𝑥 − log 3 𝑥 − 8 = 4
2. log 3 𝑥 + 4 = log 3 2𝑥 − 4
3. log 2 3𝑥 + 5 ≥ log 2 𝑥 − 9
4. (log 2 𝑥)2 −4 = 0
5. log 𝑥 + log(𝑥 − 3) ≤ log 10
 Try This!
Sketch the graph of the function and identify
the x-intercept, vertical asymptote, domain and
range.
1. 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟑 (𝒙 + 𝟐) − 𝟐
2. 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝟏) + 𝟐
Quiz no. 5
Performance Task
Thank You…