EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS
== WEEK 06 ==
THE EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION
• f: ℝℝ+ • Properties of the function:
• where e = Euler’s number and ℝ+
• x ↦ f(x) = ex • Its graph is concave upward.
• It cuts the y axis at (0,1).
= {xℝ|x>0} [Note: e
2.718281828]
• f as defined above is the • [The x axis is the horizontal
exponential function asymptote of the curve.]
• Some noteworthy formulae: • (See the figure on the next
slide.)
• e0 = 1
• ex.ey = ex+y
THE GRAPH OF THE EXPONENTIAL
FUNCTION
THE NATURAL LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTION
• It is the inverse of the exponential function.
• g: ℝ+ ℝ
• It is a function g such that g(ex) = x for every xℝ
• x ↦ g(x) = ln x
• Some noteworthy formulae:
• ln 1 = 0, ln e = 1
• ln xy = ln x + ln y ; x, y > 0
• ; x, y > 0
• ln xn = nln x ; x > 0, nℝ
PROPERTIES OF
THE NATURAL LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTION
• Its graph is concave downward.
• It cuts the x axis at (1,0).
• [The y axis is the vertical asymptote
of the curve.]
MORE GENERAL EXPONENTIAL
FUNCTIONS
• Exponential function is the inverse function of the natural logarithmic
function and vice versa.
• Consequences: eln x = x for every xℝ+ and ln ex = x for every xℝ.
• If a > 0 then ax can be expressed as exln a.
• ax ay = exln a eyln a = exln a + yln a = e(x+y)ln a = ax+y
• Similarly we can prove (for every a > 0) that:
MORE GENERAL LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS
• ; a > 0, a 1, p > 0
• a is called the base of the logarithm
• Example: 25 = 32
• Special case: ; p > 0 (e is the Euler’s number.)
• Formula 1: [i.e. can be viewed as logarithmic function to the base e.]
• Formula 2: ; b > 0, a > 0, a 1.
EXAMPLES
• Solve 5x = 12. Ans.: x = log5 12.
• Solve 10x = 7. Ans.: x = log 7.
• Solve ex = 10. Ans.: x = ln 10
• Solve 5x = 12 using natural logarithmic expression. Ans.: x =
• Express 513 using exponential and natural logarithmic expressions with
base e.
• Ans.:
• Solve x = ln e3. Ans.: x = 3 ln e = 31 = 3.
APPLICATIONS (1)
• The percentage, y , of households possessing refrigerators, t years after they have
been introduced in a developed country, is modelled by . Find: a) the percentage
of households that have refrigerators at their launch, b) the percentage of
households that have refrigerators after 10 years, c) the market saturation level.
• Answer
• a) t = 0 => y = 100 – 95e-.150 = 100 - 951 = 5. Hence, at their launch 5% of
households have refrigerators.
• b) t = 10 => y = 100 – 95e-.1510 100 - 950.223 = 78.815. Hence, after 10 years,
78.815% of households have refrigerators.
• c) As , the percentage, y, will approach 100 - 950 = 100. Hence, the market
saturation level is 100%.
APPLICATIONS (2)
• An economy is forecast to grow continuously so that • .02t .095
the gross national product (GNP), measured in
• t = 4.75
billions of dollars, after t years is given by GNP =
80e0.02t. After how many years is GNP forecast to be • Hence, after 4.75 years the GNP forecast is to be
$88 billion? What does the model predict about the $88 billion.
value of GNP in the long run?
• In the long run: t
• Answer:
• As , GNP approaches infinity as well. The model
• GNP = 80e0.02t. predicts an unlimited growth of GNP.
• If the GNP forecast = $88 billion then GNP = 88 and
it follows that
• 88 = 80e0.02t.
• ln 88 = ln 80e0.02t.
• ln 88 = ln 80 + .02t
• ln 88 – ln 80 = .02t
APPLICATIONS (3)
• The growth of GNP is modeled using a formula of the form g = BeAt where g is the value of GNP
(in billion of dollars) over a period t (in years). Over a period of 2 years the GNP is 12 billion
dollars and over a period of 5 years the GNP is 16 billion dollars. find A and B in the model.
• Answer
• g(2) = 12 => 12 = Be2A => ln B + 2A = ln 12
• g(5) = 16 => 16 = Be5A => ln B + 5A = ln 16 -
• A=
• Put A = .096 to the equation ln B + 2A = ln 12. It follows that ln B = ln 12 - .192
• Note:
• A mathematical model of the form y = Aert is often used to find the final value of any variable
growing continuously at a known annual rate from a given original value.
APPLICATONS (4)
• Consumption of a certain mineral is known to be increasing continually at a constant rate
per annum. The daily rate of consumption was 46.4 tonnes on 1 March and had risen to
47.2 tonnes by 1 June. What is the annual growth rate for consumption of this mineral?
• Answer
• Let the model be y = Aert.
• t = 0 => y = 46.4 => A = 46.4
• t = ¼ (years) = .25 => 47.2 = 46.4e.25r
• ln 47.2 = ln 46.4 + .25r
• 4(ln 47.2 – ln 46.4) = r
• r .068
• Therefore, the annual growth rate is about 6.8%.
