LOGARITHMIC

FUNCTION
Introduction to
Logarithms
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. describe the relationship between logarithms and

exponents;
2. change exponential form to logarithmic form and vice-
versa;
3. represent real-life situations using logarithmic
functions; and
4. solve problems involving logarithms.
Recall!

What is the value of in each case?

Note!
The in the logarithmic function, where and
comes from the equation where is an exponent.
Therefore, logarithm is another term for exponent.
Example 1:
Without using calculator, find the value
of the following logarithmic expression
¿5
¿0
¿−1
1
¿−
2
a.
Formal Definition:
Let and be positive real numbers such
that . The logarithm of with base is denoted
by (read as “log base of ) and is defined as the
number such that (that is because when then,
That is, is the exponent that must be raised to
produce
Exponential and Logarithmic Forms
Logarithm and exponents allow us to express the
same relationship in two different ways. The following
table shows the expressions in Example 1 can be written
using two equivalent forms
Logarithmic Form Exponential Form
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝟑𝟐 =𝟓 𝟐
𝟓
=𝟑𝟐
𝟎
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝟏 =𝟎 𝟓 =𝟏
𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟔 ( )
𝟏
𝟔
=− 𝟏 𝟔
− 𝟏
=
𝟏
𝟔
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝟏
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 =− 𝟓
−
𝟐
=
√𝟓 𝟐 √𝟓
Exponential and Logarithmic
Forms

Let and be a real numbers

where and are positive and then,

Logarithmic form:
Exponential form:
Remember!
• In both the logarithmic and exponential forms, is the base.

• In the exponential form, x is an exponent. But This implies

that the logarithm is actually an exponent.

• In the logarithmic form , cannot be negative and .

For example, is not defined since 2 raised to any exponent will never
result to a negative number.
• The value of can be negative.
For example, because
Common Logarithms

Common logarithms are

logarithms with base ; is a short
notation for
Natural Logarithms

Natural logarithms are logarithms

to the base (approximately ) and
are denoted by “”. In other words,
is another way of writing .
EXAMPLE :
Rewrite the following exponential equations in
logarithmic form, whenever possible.

1.
2.
3.
4.
⇒ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝟎. 𝟏 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎=– 𝟒
5.
6.
7.
8. ⇒ cannot be written in logarithmic form
EXAMPLE :
Rewrite the following exponential equations in
logarithmic form, whenever possible.

10.
11.
12.
13.
⇒ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟑 𝟏= 𝟎
14.
15.
16.
17.
EXAMPLE :
Rewrite the following exponential equations in
logarithmic form, whenever possible.

21.
22.
23.
24.
⇒ cannot be written in logarithmic form
EXAMPLE : Rewrite the following logarithmic
equations in exponential form.

1.
2.
3.
EXAMPLE : Rewrite the following logarithmic
equations in exponential form.

8.
9.
10.

𝟐
⇒ 𝟕 =𝟒𝟗
EXAMPLE : Rewrite the following logarithmic
equations in exponential form.

15.
16.
17.

𝟏
𝟐
⇒ 𝟐𝟓 =𝟓
Real-life Applications of
Logarithmic Function
 Some of the most common
applications in real-life of
logarithms are the Richter
scale, sound intensity, and pH
level.
Earthquake Magnitude on a Richter
scale

In 1935, Charles Richter proposed a

logarithmic scale to measure the intensity of
an earthquake. He defined the magnitude of
an earthquake as a function of its amplitude
on a standard seismograph. The following
formula produces the same results but is
based on the energy released by an
earthquake.
The magnitude of an earthquake is given by

where (in joules) is the energy released by

the earthquake (the quantity joules is the
energy released by a very small reference
earthquake).
EXAMPLE :
Suppose that an earthquake released approximately
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?
Equation: =
SOLUTION:
(a) Since E = , then

Since by the definition is the exponent by which 10 must be raised to

obtain , then log
Thus,
(b) This earthquake releases times more energy than that by the
reference earthquake.
Sound Intensity

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

where is the sound intensity in watts/m² ( the

quantity watts/m² is least audible sound a human
can hear).
EXAMPLE 5:
The decibel level of sound in a quiet office is watts/m. (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?
Equation:
SOLUTION:
(a) Since, Then

Since by definition, is the exponent by which 10 must be raised to

obtain , then .
Thus, decibels.
(b) This sound is 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 where [] is the concentration
of hydrogen ions in moles per liter.
• Solutions with a pH of are defined
neutral;
• those with pH are acidic, and
• those with pH are basic.
EXAMPLE 6:
A -liter solution contains moles of hydrogen ions. Find its
pH level.
Equation: pH
SOLUTION:
Since there are moles of hydrogen ions in liter, then the concentration
of hydrogen ions is moles per liter.

The pH level is

Since is the exponent by whichmust be raised to obtain , then = –5.

Thus(Acidic).
 Logarithmic Function,
Equation and Inequality

Basic Properties of
Logarithm

Laws of Logarithm
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

Distinguish Logarithmic Function, Logarithmic Equation

and Logarithmic Inequality.
Illustrate the following:
Three Basic Properties of Logarithm;
Laws of Logarithm; and
Change-of-base Formula
 Logarithmic Function,
Equation and Inequality
Investigate the following. Identify
their similarities and differences.
 Logarithmic Equation Logarithmic Inequality Logarithmic Function

An equation An inequality
Definition Function of the form
Involving involving
logarithms. logarithms.

Example
EXAMPLE 1: Determine whether the given is a
logarithmic function, a logarithmic equation, a
logarithmic inequality or neither.
1. Logarithmic Function
2. Logarithmic Function
3. Logarithmic Equation
4. Logarithmic Inequality
5. Logarithmic Equation
Basic Properties of
Logarithm
Letand be real numbers such that and ,
the basic properties of logarithms are as
follows:

1.
2.
3. If , then
Example 2: Use the basic properties of
logarithms to find the value of the following
logarithmic expressions.
¿ 𝟏⇒ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟐
a. ¿ 3
⇒ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟐
b. ¿ 𝟑 ⇒ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟐
c. ¿− ⇒𝟑 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟐
d. ¿ 𝟐 ⇒ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟑
¿ 𝟎 ⇒ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝟏
Laws of Logarithm
Let and let For then

LAW 1: Logarithm of a Product

The logarithm of a product is equal to the sum of the
logarithms of its factors.

Example:
Let and let For then

LAW 2: Logarithm of a Quotient

The logarithm of a quotient is equal to the logarithm of the
numerator minus the logarithm of denominator.

Example:
Let and let For then

LAW 3: Logarithm of a Power

The logarithm of a power is equal to the product of the
exponent and the logarithm of the base .

Example:
COMMON MISTAKES:
Common mistakes in applying laws of Logarithms:
1.
2.

4.
3.

5. (5² • 2) ≠ 2 (5 •2)
Example 3: Use the properties of logarithms to
expand each expression in terms of the
logarithms of the factors. Assume each factor is
positive.
¿ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟑 𝟕+𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝟑 𝟓 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟏
¿ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟓 𝟖− 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝟓 𝒙 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐

c ¿ 𝟑 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝟒 𝟗 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
d.
= 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟏
= 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐
𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝟐
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟏
 ( )
𝟏
𝟒
𝒙 Change radical to
¿𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟓 𝟒 exponential form
𝟑𝟔 𝒚

𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐

=
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟏
= 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑

=
Example 4: Use the properties of logarithm
to condense the expressions as a single
logarithm.
a.
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟏
b.
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑

𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟐

𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝟑
** 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝟑
𝑳𝒂𝒘 𝟑

𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝟐=𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑳𝒂𝒘 𝟐
QUIZ: Use the properties of logarithms to expand
each expression in terms of the logarithms of the
factors. Assume each factor is positive.
13
Use the properties of logarithm to condense
the expressions as a single logarithm.
4. 5.
6.
ANSWER KEY: 𝟏
1 ¿ 𝟐 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝒃 𝒖+ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝒃 𝒗
𝟐
¿ 𝟑 𝒍𝒏𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒍𝒏𝒚
3
¿ 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒙 +𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( 𝒙 +𝟐)
4.
( )
𝟐 /𝟑
𝒙
¿ 𝒍𝒏
5. 𝒚
𝟏 /𝟐
𝟑
6. ¿ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈 𝒃 [ 𝒙 ( 𝟐 𝒙 +𝟏 ) ]
¿ 𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝟑 𝟐𝟒𝟑
CHANGE-THE-BASE FORMULA
Any logarithmic expression can be expressed
as a quotient of two logarithmic expressions
with a common base. Let and be positive real
numbers, with :
Example 5: Use the change-of-base formula
to rewrite the following logarithmic
expressions to the indicated base.
a. (change to base )
Sol’n:

b. (change to base )
Sol’n:
LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTION
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. solve logarithmic equations and inequalities.

Solving Logarithmic
Equation
Recall!

In logarithmic expression
1. What must be the value of
• can be any positive real number except 1 ()

2. What must be the value of

• can be any positive real number ()

3. What must be the value of the entire expression ?

• the entire expression can be any real number (hence, can be
negative)
How about this!
• Let and be real numbers such that and , what
are the values of the following?

1.
2. 𝟎
3. If , then 𝒙
𝒙
How about this?
Let and let For then

𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝒖+ 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝒗
𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝒖 – 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒃 𝒗
TECHNIQUES

Some strategies for solving logarithmic

equations:
• Rewriting to exponential form;
• Using logarithmic properties and laws;
• Applying the one-to-one property of
logarithmic functions.
ONE-TO-ONE PROPERTY OF
LOGARITHMIC EQUATION

For any logarithmic function t

Another useful property is the Zero Factor
Property:

If , then or
NOTE!
After solving, check if each of the
obtained values does not result in
undefined expressions in the given
equation. If so, then these values would
NOT be considered solutions.
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following:

a.
(one-to-one property)

Check: is a solution since

is defined.
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following.
b.
(changing into exponential form)

Check: is a solution since log3(2(5)-1)= log39 is

defined.
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following.
c
(changing into exponential form)

(factorization using a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b))

or

Check: is a solution since log 4(16) is defined. However, is not a

solution since is not defined (the base cannot be negative).
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following.
d.

(using the property

(note: Zero Factor Property cannot be used yet)

(multiplication of two binomials)

(factorization using
and verify

Check:
(1) 3 is a solution since and are defined.
(2) However, –3 is not a solution since is not defined.
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following.

(changing into exponential form)

Check: Both are solutions since log(–10)2 and log(10)2 are defined.
EXAMPLE 1: Find the value of in the following.
f. (log)2 + log
Let
then,

thus, or

So,

Check: Both are solutions since and are defined.

Solving Logarithmic
Inequality
PROPERTY OF LOGARITHMIC INEQUALITIES

• If , then if and only if .

• If , then if and only if .

STRATEGIES
1. Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
2. Ensure that the inequality is satisfied.

Example:
Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.

a.

STEP 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.

This means that
STEP 2: Ensure the inequality is satisfied.

So,
Thus, the solution set is .
Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.

b.
STEP 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
This means that
STEP 2: Ensure the inequality is satisfied.

Thus, the solution set is .

Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.

c.
STEP 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
This means that

STEP 2: Ensure the inequality is satisfied.

So,
Thus, the solution set is .
Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
d. =
STEP 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
This means that
STEP 2: Ensure the inequality is satisfied.
** (rewriting -3 to logarithmic form)
(substitute)
(direction of inequality is reversed since )

Since (from Step1) and (from Step 2), hence, the solution is
Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
e.
Step 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
Then and must be satisfied.
and

To make both logarithms defined, then . (If , then is surely greater than
Step 2: Ensure that the inequality is satisfied. The base 3 is greater than 1 (Properties of
Logarithm).
Thus,

The solution defined the logarithm and at the same time satisfies the given inequality. (If ,
then is surely greater than
Hence, the solution is
Example 2: Solve the following logarithmic inequalities.
f.
Step 1: Ensure that the logarithms are defined.
Thenand must be satisfied.
and

STEP 2: Ensure the inequality is satisfied.

Thus, the solution set is

QUIZ. Find the value of in the following: