3.
2 Logarithmic Functions &
Their Graphs
1. Recognize and evaluate logarithmic functions with base a.
2. Graph logarithmic functions.
3. Recognize, evaluate, and graph natural logarithmic
functions.
4. Use logarithmic functions to model and solve real-life
problems.
Logarithmic Function
• The inverse of an exponential function is
called a logarithmic function.
for a > 0 and a ≠ 1, then:
fax toga
if only if a
y logax
Write each equation in exponential form.
23 8
a. log28 = 3
O
8 23
O
!
b. log4 = -4
"#$
Y
y
Write each equation in logarithmic form.
6
a. 153 = 3375
3 109,3375
b. 41/2 = 2
log Z I
Evaluating Logarithmic Expressions
Evaluate each logarithm.
log164 log232
16 Y 2x
2 32
MY y
!
log5 log31
!"#
3 1
5 Is
5 5 s
30
Common Logarithmic Function
• The logarithmic function with base 10 is called
the common logarithmic function.
logo
logx
Properties of Logarithms
1. loga1 = 0 because a0 = 1
2. logaa = 1 because a1 = a
3. logaax = x and alogax = x
4. If logax = logay, then x = y
Simplify
20%&'!" ( #$%) 1 #$% 7
is
*
One-to-One
log 2+ + 1 = #$%3+
10 10
2 1 3x
x
#$%) + " − 6 = #$%) 10
x2 6 10
2
16
XY
Graph Logarithmic Functions
f(x) = log2x f(x) = 2x
Describe transformations
a. f(x) = log(x – 1)
b. f(x) = 2 + log x
Base e and Natural Logarithms
• e is an irrational number with a value of
2.71828… and is referred to as the natural base.
• The inverse of a natural base exponential
function is called the natural logarithm.
log e x = ln x (Natural Logarithm)
Logarithm Properties
• The properties of logarithms from the
beginning of lesson 3.2 can also be applied to
natural logarithms.
l
1. ln 1 = 0 because 2 + = 1 log a
2. ln 2 = 1 because 2 ! = 2
3. ln 2 , = + and 2 l-. , = +
4. If ln + = ln 3, then + = 3
In is opposite of E
Simplify each expression.
!
• ln he I
I/
• 2 -. #
• 2 ln 2
-. !
•
(
3 O
Solve for x.
• ln + + 9 = ln 4
Xt 9 4
x S
• ln 2+ − 1 = ln 11
2 1 11
24 12
x 6
Domain
• Note that ln + is not defined for zero or
negative numbers.
• What is the domain of each function?
• 6 + = ln(+ − 2) X 270
x 2
• 6 + = ln(3 − +) 3 x 0
I
x 3 C d3