Lesson 14-A: Logarithmic Function Context and Data Modeling
Exponential and logarithmic functions are used to model many real-world phenomena such as
the magnitude of earthquakes, pH level of chemicals, noise levels, radioactivity and more. In this
lesson we explore many practical applications using logarithmic modeling in context to real-world
data collection.
Vocabulary
Richter Scale Model measures the magnitude ( ) of an
earthquake. All earthquakes are compared to a zero-level earthquake
whose seismographic reading measures 0.001 millimeter at a
( ) = log
distance of 100 kilometers from the epicenter. An earthquake whose
seismographic reading measures x millimeters has magnitude ( )
where = 10
pH Scale Model is a scale that measures how acidic or basic
a substance ranks. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 7
represents neutral and each whole pH value below 7 is ten times = log
more acidic than the next higher value. [H+] is the concentration of
hydrogen ions measured in moles per liter (M)
Newton’s Law of Cooling – The temperature T of an object at time t,
where Tm = temperature of the surrounding medium, = +
and = initial temperature of the object.
EX #1: A satellite is launched from a spacecraft and will reach a stable orbit 300 km above Earth if it
reaches a velocity of 7.7 km/s. Suppose a rocket has a mass ratio (R) of 26, an exhaust velocity
2.85 km/s , and a firing time of 120 seconds. Use the formula for a rocket’s maximum velocity
= 0. + ln( ) to determine whether the satellite will achieve a stable orbit
above the Earth.
Earthquake Intensities
EX #2: The amount of energy E in ergs, that an earthquake releases is related to its Richter scale
magnitude M by the equation log = 11.8 + 1. . On Feb 5, 2023, an earthquake measuring
7.8 on the Richter scale struck southern and central Turkey. How much energy did the
earthquake release?
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
Comparing Chemical Acidity
EX #3: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH level of 7 is neutral. A level greater than 7 is basic,
and a level less than 7 is acidic. Apple juice has a pH of 3.49 and Whole Fat Cream has a
pH level of 6.62.
A. What are their hydrogen-ion concentrations?
B. Complete the table below to determine the pH level and acid or base:
[𝑯𝑯+ ] pH Acid or Base
4.45 × 10−8
3.6 × 10−4
7.9 × 10−8
1.8 × 10−3
Sound Intensity Levels
Logarithms are used to model sound levels. The sound intensity is a measure of the energy carried
by the sound wave. This loudness 𝐿𝐿 is measured in decibels 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. You can use the formula
𝐼𝐼
𝐿𝐿 = 10 � log 𝐼𝐼0
where 𝐿𝐿 is the loudness in decibels, 𝐼𝐼 is the intensity of the sound in watts per square meter (W/m2).
𝐼𝐼0 is the lowest-intensity sound that the average human ear can detect, 10−12 .
𝑊𝑊
EX #4: What is the decibel level of a normal conversation with intensity 10−6 𝑚𝑚2 ?
EX #5: The human threshold for pain is 120 dB. A jet engine records 150 dB of loudness. How
many time as intense is the noise of the jet engine as the noise that causes pain?
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
Carbon Dating Fossils
EX #6: An archaeologist carbon-dates a fossilized bone that is thought to be around 4500 years old.
The archaeologist determines that the sample contains 60% of the original amount of carbon-
14. The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years. Is the estimated age of the fossilized bone
correct? Explain.
Applying Newton’s Law of Cooling
EX #7: A batch of brownies are taken out of a 375o oven and cools to 150o after 20 minutes in a room
at 70o. Use Newton’s Law of Cooling to determine how long it will take the brownies to cool
to 90oF.
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
Lesson 14-B: Logarithmic Function Context and Data Modeling
We have been able to fit linear and quadratic models, as well as exponential models from data. Let’s
continue to use technology to explore some real-life relationships between two variables that behave
in logarithmic patterns.
Fitting a Model to Data
EX #8: Determine the equation of the logarithmic regression function for the data.
2 3 4 5 6 7
( ) 0 2.9 4.5 4.8 5.6 6.0
A. Determine the equation of the logarithmic regression function.
B. Use the function to predict ( ) when = 10. Round to nearest tenth.
C. What is the residual for the data value (4,4.5) ?
EX #9: The table below represents the speed of a coxed four, a rowing boat used in the sport of
competitive rowing.
Time (min) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Speed (m/s) 1.5 3.5 4.5 4.7 5.4 6.3 6.7
A. Determine the equation of the logarithmic regression function.
B. Find a linear regression model for the data.
C. Determine which model fits the data better. Explain why.
D. Use the best model to find when = 8. Explain the meaning in context.
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
EX #10: A university study on sleep related to caffeinated drinks is shown in the table below.
Participants were given 250 mg of caffeine in his or her bloodstream. The caffeine level
was measured at various times.
A. Determine the equation for a logarithmic Level of Caffeine Time, t after
regression function for the data representing in Bloodstream Ingesting
time as a function of caffeine levels. (in mg) (in hours)
238 1
217 1.5
164 4
85 8.5
38 12
195 3
64 13.5
25 18
138 5
77 10
B. Find the time it takes for an average person to metabolize 50% of the caffeine in their
bloodstream. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of an hour.
C. Avery drank an energy drink containing 200 mg of caffeine at 9:00 am. How much caffeine
will be in his bloodstream 10 hours later? Round your answer to the nearest milligram.
D. The study found the majority of participants were able to sleep when their caffeine levels
fell below 70 mg. Find the time, to the nearest hour for the body to metabolize the caffeine
to reach 70 mg in the bloodstream.
E. Using the regression equation, find the x-intercept to the nearest tenth. Explain the meaning
of the x-intercept in context to the sleep study.
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
EX #11: The wind speed s (in miles per hour) near the center of a tornado is related to the distance
d (in miles) that the tornado travels by the equation = 93 log + 65.
A tornado whose wind speed was 220 miles per hour struck a town in Nebraska. How far
did the tornado travel?
EX #12: Mr. Craig gave his students a poster of math properties. They studied the image for 90
seconds. Beginning 1 day later, a quiz was given each day to test their memory of the
poster. The table below represents the average score for each day.
A. Use logarithmic regression to model the data.
Days Score (%)
1 74.5
2 72.1
3 69.7
B. Then use your model to predict the average test 4 64.3
score after 14 days.
5 62.8
6 61.4
7 60.5
© 2023 Jean Adams Flamingo Math.com
