Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

exponential and logarithmic functions
Submitted by naresh.v on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 17:40

Status:
Re-Work
Subject:
math
Exponential functions
Definition
Take a > 0 and not equal to 1 . Then, the function defined by
f : R -> R : x -> ax
is called an exponential function with base a.
Graph and properties
Let f(x) = an exponential function with a > 1.

Let g(x) = an exponential function with 0 < a < 1.
From the graphs we see that
 The domain is R
 The range is the set of strictly positive real numbers
 The function is continuous in its domain
 The function is increasing if a > 1 and decreasing if 0 < a < 1
 The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote
Logarithmic functions
Definition and basic properties
Take a > 0 and not equal to 1 . Since the exponential function
f : R -> R : x -> ax
are either increasing or decreasing, the inverse function is defined. This inverse function is called
the logarithmic function with base a. We write
loga (x)
So,
loga(x) = y <=> ay = x
From this we see that the domain of the logarithmic function is the set of strictly positive real
numbers, and the range is R.
Example:
log2(8) = 3 ; log3(sqrt(3)) = 0.5 ;
From the definition it follows immediately that
for x > 0 we have aloga(x) = x
and
for all x we have loga(ax) = x
Graph
Let f(x) = a logarithmic function with a > 1.
Let g(x) = a logarithmic function with 0 < a < 1.
From the graphs we see that
 The range is R
 The domain is the set of strictly positive real numbers
 The function is continuous in its domain
 The function is increasing if a > 1 and decreasing if 0 < a < 1
 The y-axis is a vertical asymptote
Properties
In the next 3 properties, all logarithmic functions have base a > 0. For convenience, I don't write
this base a.
 log(x.y) = log(x) + log(y)

Proof :
Let log(x.y) = u then au = x.y (1)
Let log(x) = v then av = x (2)
Let log(y) = w then aw = y (3)
From (1) , (2) and (3)
au = av . aw
=> au = av + w
=> u = v + w
So,
log(x.y) = log(x) + log(y)
 In the same way you can prove that
log(x/y) = log(x) - log(y)
 For each real number r we have :
log(xr ) = r.log(x)
Change the base of a logarithmic function
Sometimes it is very useful to change the base of a logarithmic function.

Theorem: for each strictly positive real number a and b, different from 1, we have
1
loga(x) =( -------) . logb(x)
logb(a)
Proof:
We'll prove that
logb(a) . loga(x) = logb(x)
Let logb(a) = u then bu = a (1)
Let loga(x) = v then av = x (2)
Let logb(x) = w then bw = x (3)
From (2) and (3) we have
av = bw
Using (1)
bu.v = bw
So,
u.v = w
=> logb(a) . loga(x) = logb(x)

The number e
A special limit concerning the derivative of an exponential function
We try to calculate the derivative of the exponential function
f(x) = ax
Appealing on the definition of the derivative, we can write
(f(x+h)-f(x))
f'(x) = lim ---------------
h->0 h
ax+h - ax
= lim ------------
h->0 h
ax (ah - 1)
= lim -----------
h->0 h
(since ax is constant with respect to h )
(ah - 1)
= a x
. lim -----------
h->0 h
Now,
(ah - 1)
lim ----------- is a constant depending on the value of the base a.
h->0 h
It can be proved that there is a unique value of a, such that this limit is 1. This very special value
of a is called e.
So,
(eh - 1)
lim ----------- = 1
h->0 h
The number e as a limit
The expression
(eh - 1)
lim ----------- = 1
0 h
means that for very very small values of h
eh - 1 is approximately h
<=> eh is approximately h +1
<=> e is approximately (1 + h)1/h
So,
e = lim (1 + h)1/h = 2.718 28...

0
Or, if we say that t = 1/h
e = lim (1 + 1/t)t = 2.718 28...

infty
Definition of ln(x)
The logarithmic function with base number e is noted ln(x). So,
loge(x) = ln(x)
Differentiation of logarithmic functions

Derivative of a logarithmic function
In this section, all logarithmic functions have base a. For convenience, I don't write this base
number.
Let f(x) = log(x) , then
(f(x+h)-f(x))
f'(x) = lim ---------------
h->0 h
(log(x+h)-log(x))
<=> f'(x) = lim -------------------
h->0 h
log( (x+h)/x )
<=> f'(x) = lim -------------------
h->0 h
1
<=> f'(x) = lim --- . log( (x+h)/x )
h->0 h
<=> f'(x) = lim log( (x+h)/x )1/h

h->0
<=> f'(x) = lim log( (x+h)/x )1/h

h->0
<=> f'(x) = lim log(1 + h/x)1/h

h->0
<=> f'(x) = lim log((1 + h/x)x/h )1/x

h->0
<=> f'(x) = lim (1/x).log(1 + h/x)x/h

h->0
<=> f'(x) =(1/x). lim log(1 + h/x)x/h

h->0
<=> f'(x) =(1/x). lim log(1 + h/x)x/h

h/x->0
<=> f'(x) =(1/x).log lim (1 + h/x)x/h

h/x->0
<=> f'(x) =(1/x).log(e)
<=> f'(x) =(1/x).ln(e)/ln(a)
<=> f'(x) =(1/x)/ln(a)
1
<=> f'(x) = ----------
x. ln(a)
Important cases
Let u be a differentiable function of x.
d 1
-- loga(x) = ----------
dx x. ln(a)
d 1
-- loga(u) = ---------- . u'
dx u. ln(a)
d 1
-- ln(x) = ---
dx x
d 1
-- ln(u) = ---.u'
dx u
Derivative of an exponential function
Let f(x) = ax, then loga(ax ) and x are identical functions.

Hence, the derivative of both functions is the same.
So,
1
---------- .(ax )' = 1
ax .ln(a)
d
<=> ---(ax ) = ax .ln(a)
dx
Important corollaries
Let u be a differentiable function of x.
d
---(ax ) = ax .ln(a)
dx
d
--(ex ) = ex
dx
d
--(au ) = au .ln(a).u'
dx
d
--(eu ) = eu .u'
dx
Derivative of a real power of x
Let f(x) = xr with r any real number.
xr = er.ln(x)
=>
d
--(xr) = er.ln(x).(r.ln(x))'
dx
= xr.r.(1/x)
= r.xr-1
Thus,
For any real number r, we have

d
--(ur) = r.ur-1.u'
dx
Derivative of uv
Let u = f(x) and v = g(x), then
uv = ev.ln(u)
d
--(uv) = ev.ln(u).(v.ln(u))'
dx
= uv . (v' ln(u) + v.(1/u).u'
= v uv-1 u' + uv.ln(u).v'
d
--(uv) = v uv-1 u' + uv.ln(u).v'
dx
logarithmic functions
Definition of Log Function

The logarithmic function with base b, where b > 0 and b 1, is denoted by and is defined by
if and only if

IN OTHER WORDS - AND I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH- A LOG IS
ANOTHER WAY TO WRITE AN EXPONENT.
This definition can work in both directions. In some cases you will have an equation
written in log form and need to convert it to exponential form and vice versa.
So, when you are converting from log form to exponential form, b is your base, Y IS
YOUR EXPONENT, and x is what your exponential expression is set equal to.
Note that your domain is all positive real numbers and range is all real numbers.

Example 1 : Express the logarithmic equation exponentially.

We want to use the definition that is above: if and only
if .
First, let's figure out what the base needs to be. What do you think? It looks
like the b in the definition correlates with 5 in our problem - so our base is
going to be 5.
Next, let's figure out the exponent. This is very key, again remember that
logs are another way to write exponents. This means the log is set equal to
the exponent, so in this problem that means that the exponent has to be 3.
That leaves 125 to be what the exponential expression is set equal to.
Putting all of this into the log definition we get:

*Rewriting in exponential form

Hopefully, when you see it written in exponential form you can tell that it is a
true statement. In other words, when we cube 5 we do get 125. If you had
written as 5 raised to the 125th power, hopefully you would have realized
that was not correct because it would not equal 3.

Example 2 : Express the logarithmic equation exponentially.

We want to use the definition that is above: if and only
if .
going to be 7.
Next, let's figure out the exponent. This is very key, again remember that
logs are another way to write exponents. This means the log is set equal to
the exponent, so in this problem that means that the exponent has to be y.
That leaves 49 to be what the exponential expression is set equal to.
Putting all of this into the log definition we get:


Example 3 : Express the exponential equation in a logarithmic form.

This time I have you going in the opposite direction we were going in
examples 1 and 2. But as mentioned above, you can use the log definition in
either direction. These examples are to get you use to that
definition: if and only if .
going to be 6.
Next, let's figure out the exponent. In this direction it is easy to note what the
exponent is because we are more used to it written in this form, but when we
write it in the log form we have to be careful to place it correctly. Looks like
the exponent is -2, don't you agree?
The value that the exponential expression is set equal to is what goes inside
the log function. In this problem that is 1/36.
Let's see what we get when we put this in log form:

*Rewriting in log form

Example 4 : Express the exponential equation in a logarithmic form.

Again we are going in the opposite direction we were going in examples 1
and 2. But as mentioned above, you can use the log definition in either
direction. These examples are to get you use to that definition:
if and only if .
Rewriting the original problem using exponents we get:
going to be 81.
Next, let's figure out the exponent. In this direction it is easy to note what the
exponent is because we are more used to it written in this form, but when we
write it in the log form we have to be careful to place it correctly. Looks like
the exponent is 1/2, don't you agree?
The value that the exponential expression is set equal to is what goes inside
the log function. In this problem that is x.
Let's see what we get when we put this in log form:
*Rewriting in log form

Evaluating Logs

Step 1: Set the log equal to x.

Step 2: Use the definition of logs shown above to write the equation in exponential form.

This will give you a form that you are more familiar with.

Step 3: Find x.

Whenever you are finding a log, keep in mind that logs are another way to write exponents. You can
always use the definition to help you evaluate.
Let's step through a few examples of this:

Example 5 : Evaluate the expression without using a calculator.

When we are looking for the log itself, keep in mind that logs are another
way to write exponents.
The thought behind this is, we are wanting the power that we would need
to raise 4 to to get 64.

Step 1: Set the log equal to x
AND
Step 2: Use the definition of logs shown above to write the equation in exponential form
AND
Step 3: Find x.
*Setting the log = to x

*x is the exponent we need on 4 to get 64

So the exponent we were looking for is 3.



AND
AND
Step 3: Find x.






AND
AND
Step 3: Find x.





to raise 5 to get square root of 5.

AND
AND
Step 3: Find x.


*x is the exponent we need on 5 to get square root of 5

So the exponent we were looking for is 1/2.

Graphing Log Functions


You have to be careful that you note that the log key on your calculator is
only for base 10 and your ln key is only for base e. So if you have any
other base, you would not be able to use your calculator. But, if you
have it written in exponential form, you can enter in any base in your
calculator - that is why we do step 1.

Step 2: Plug in values for y (NOT x) to find some ordered pairs.

Note that this is what we call an inverse function of the exponential function.
If you need a review of exponential functions feel free to go to Tutorial 42:
Exponential Functions. They are inverses because there x and y values are
switched. In the exponential functions the x value was the exponent, but in
the log functions, the y value is the exponent. The y value is what the
exponential function is set equal to, but in the log functions it ends up being
set equal to x. So that is why in step 2, we will be plugging in for y instead of
x.

Step 3: Plot points.

This is done exactly the same way you plot points for any other graph.

Step 4: Draw a curve.

The basic curve of a log function looks like the following:
OR

Example 9 : Graph the function .


First, we need to write in exponential form, just like we practiced in examples
1 and 2.
Looks like the base is 3, the exponent is y, and the log will be set = to x:


I have found that the best way to do this is to do it the same each time. In
other words, put in the same values for y each time and then find it's
corresponding x value for the given function.
The first two columns just show what values we are going to plug in for y.
The last three columns show the corresponding values for x and y for the
given function.
x y y (x, y)
-2 -2 (1/9, -2)
-1 -1 (1/3, -1)
0 0 (1, 0)
1 1 (3, 1)
2 2 (9, 2)

AND



First, we need to write in exponential form, just like we practiced in examples
1 and 2.
Looks like the base is 3, the exponent is y, and the log will be set equal to
x + 1:



given function.
x y y (x, y)
-2 -2 (-8/9, -2)
-1 -1 (-2/3, -1)
0 0 (0, 0)
1 1 (2, 1)
2 2 (8, 2)

AND



Setting this up to be able to use the definition we get:
Next, we need to write in exponential form, just like we practiced in

examples 1 and 2.
Looks like the base is 3, the exponent is -y, and the log will be set equal to
x:



given function.
x y y (x, y)
-2 -2 (9, -2)
-1 -1 (3, -1)
0 0 (1, 0)
1 1 (1/3, 1)
2 2 (1/9, 2)

AND

: Find the domain of the logarithmic function

Example 12 .

Based on the definition of logs, the inside of the log has to be positive.
Since x is part of the inside of the log on this problem we need to find a value
of x, such that the inside of the log, 5 - x, is positive.

*Inside of log must be positive
*Solve the inequality

*Domain of this function

The domain is x < 5.
That means that if we put in any value of x that is less than 5, we will end up
with a positive value inside our log.

Example 13 : Find the domain of the logarithmic function .

Based on the definition of logs, the inside of the log has to be positive.
Note how on this problem the inside of the log is squared. So no matter what
we plug in for x, the inside will always be positive or zero. Since we can only
have positive values inside the log, our only restriction is where the inside
would be 0.

*Inside of log cannot equal 0
*Domain of this function

The domain is all real numbers except -2.

Inverse Properties of Logarithms
Inverse Property I
,
where b > 0 and b is not equal to 1.
Basically, what we are saying here is, whenever the base of your log matches
with the base of the inside of your log, then the log will equal the exponent of
the inside base - but only if the bases match!!!
Boy, the definition of logs sure does come in handy to explain these
properties - applying that definition you would have b raised to the r power
which equals b raised to the r power.
Here is a quick illustration of how this property works:
Inverse Property II
,
where b > 0 and b is not equal to 1.
Basically, what we are saying here is, whenever you have a base raised to a
log with the SAME base, then it simplifies to be whatever is inside the log.
This one is a little bit more involved and weird looking huh? Going back to
our favorite saying - a log is another way to write exponents - what we have
here is the log is the exponent we need to raise b to get m, well if we turn
around an raise our first base b to that exponent, it stands to reason that we
would get m.
Here is a quick illustration of how this property works:

Common Log

In other words, if no base is written for the log, it is understood to be base 10, which
is called the common log.
When using common log (base 10), use the form log x to write it.

Natural Log

In other words, if the log is written with ln, instead of log in front of the x, then it is
understood to be a log of base e, which is called the natural log.
When using the natural log (base e), use the form ln x to write it.

: Evaluate
Example 14 without the use of a calculator.

We can either use the definition of logs, as shown above, or the inverse
properties of logs to evaluate this.
I'm going to use the first inverse property shown above:

*Rewrite .001 as 10 to the -3rd power

: Evaluate

I'm going to use the second inverse property shown above:
*ln has a base of e

: Simplify

I'm going to use the second inverse property shown above:

*log has a base of 10

: Simplify

I'm going to use the first inverse property shown above:
*ln has a base of e

Graphs of y = bx and y = logbx

by M. Bourne
Exponential Growth
We saw an example of an exponential growth graph (showing how invested money grows over
time) at the beginning of the chapter.
The exponential curve is especially important in mathematics. Exponential growth and decay are
common events in science and engineering and it is valuable if you know and recognise the
shape of these curves.
Example
Need Graph Paper?
Download graph paper
Sketch the graph of y = 10x.
Answer
Loading...
Here is how it looks when we get LiveMath to graph it for us:
LIVEMath
Exponential Decay
100 g of radioactive material decays
to about 12 g after 20 minutes.
Radioactive decay is the most common example of exponential decay. Here we have 100 g of
radioactive material decaying over time.
Notice that the function value (the y-values) get smaller and smaller as x gets larger (but the
curve never cuts through the x-axis.). Also notice that the slope of the curve is always negative,
but gets closer to 0 as x increases.
Since the amount of radioactive material becomes less over time, and the amount we are talking
about becomes meaningless, we normally talk about the half life, that is, the amount of time it
takes for the substance to reduce to half of its original mass. In our example, it takes about 6.5
minutes for the 100 g of stuff to to decay to 50 g.
You can see another application of exponential decay in the differential equations section
Application: Series RC Circuit. As the capacitor becomes fully charged, the current drops to
zero. (Don't be scared by the complicated-looking mathematics in that section...)
Graph of the Logarithmic Function

Example
Sketch the graph of y = log10x.
Answer
We could take some typical values and join the dots to graph the log function, as follows:
x 0.01 0.1 0.5 1 2 3 4
f(x) -2 -1 -0.30 0 0.30 0.48 0.60
Notice that we cannot take negative values for x. Can you figure out why not?
Our curve passes through (1, 0) (on the x-axis).
Here's how it looks in LiveMath:
LIVEMath
Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions are

Inverses
NOTE: The two functions f(x) = 10x and f(x) = log x are on the same button on your calculator
because they are inverses of each other (like ex and ln x also.)
If we plot them on the same axes, we see that they are just reflections of each other in the line
y=x
In this graph, f(x) = 10x is in green and f(x) = log x is in blue, and we can see that they are
reflections of each other in y=x(plottedinred)
Let's see how the same thing works in this LiveMath document:
Exercises
1. The velocity of a certain falling object (which is being affected by air resistance) is given by:
v=95(1−e−0 1t) where v is in km/h and t is the time of fall in seconds.
Sketch the graph.
answer:
A table of values gives us:

t 0 10 20
exponential and logarithmic functions

Exponential functions are functions where f(x) = ax + B where a is
any real constant and B is any expression. For example, f(x) = e-x -
1 is an exponential function.
To graph exponential functions, remember that unless they are

transformed, the graph will always pass through (0, 1) and will
approach, but not touch or cross the x-axis. Example:
1. Problem: Graph f(x) = 2x.
Solution: Plug in numbers for x and

find values for y, as we have
done with the table below.
_____________________
| x | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---------------------
| y | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
---------------------
Now plot the points and draw the

graph (shown below).

Logarithmic functions are the inverse of exponential functions. For

example, the inverse of y = ax is y = logax, which is the same as x =
ay.
(Logarithms written without a base are understood to be base 10.)
This definition is explained by knowing how to convert exponential

equations to logarithmic form, and logarithmic equations to
exponential form. Examples:
1. Problem: Convert to logarithmic form:

8 = 2x
Solution: Remember that the logarithm

is the exponent.
x = log2 8
2. Problem: Convert to exponential form:

y = log3 5
Solution: Remember that the logarithm

is the exponent.
3y = 5
The figure below is a little chart that always helped us remember

how to convert from exponential to logarithmic form and from
logarithmic to exponential form.
Sometimes you can solve equations containing logarithms by

changing everything in logarithmic form to exponential form.
Example:
3. Problem: Solve log2 x = -3.
Solution: Convert the logarithm to exponential

form.
2-3 = x
x = (1/8)
There are five special rules that you ought to always have in mind
when working with logarithms. They will help you in such tasks as
simplifying expressions containing logarithms and solving equations
containing logarithms. They are outlined below.
1. For any positive numbers x and y, loga (x * y) = loga x + loga y

when a <> 1. Example:
4. Problem: Simplify: log2 x + log2 6.
Solution: log2 (x * 6)
2. For any positive numbers x and p, loga xp = p * loga x. Example:
5. Simplify: logb 9-x
Solution: -x * logb 9
3. For any positive numbers x and y, loga (x/y) = loga x - loga y.
Example:
6. Problem: Express as a single logarithm:

loga x - 5loga y
Solution: loga x - loga y5

(Using the 2nd rule.)
Use the third rule in reverse.
loga (x/y5)
4. loga a = 1
5. loga 1 = 0

An equation with variables in its exponents is called an exponential

equation. To solve these, take logarithms of both sides and use
theorems 1 - 5 listed in the section above to simplify and then solve
for x. Example:
1. Problem: Solve for x: 3x = 8.
Solution: Take the logarithm of both

sides.
log 3x = log 8
Use theorem 2 to simplify the

equation.
x * log 3 = log 8
Solve for x by dividing

each side by log 3.
x = (log 8/log 3)
A decimal approximation may be

found if desired -
x = 1.8929.
To solve logarithmic equations, you convert them to exponential

form and solve for x. Example:
2. Problem: Solve log3 (5x + 7) = 2 for x.
Solution: Write an equivalent exponential expression.
5x + 7 = 32
5x + 7 = 9
Solve for x.
5x = 2
x = (2/5)

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exponential and logarithmic functions

Submitted by naresh.v on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 17:40

Take a > 0 and not equal to 1 . Then, the function defined by

is called an exponential function with base a.

Graph and properties

Let f(x) = an exponential function with a > 1.

Take a > 0 and not equal to 1 . Since the exponential function

log2(8) = 3 ; log3(sqrt(3)) = 0.5 ;

From the definition it follows immediately that

for x > 0 we have aloga(x) = x

From the graphs we see that

 log(x.y) = log(x) + log(y)

Let log(x.y) = u then au = x.y (1)

Let log(x) = v then av = x (2)

Let log(y) = w then aw = y (3)

From (1) , (2) and (3)

 In the same way you can prove that

log(x/y) = log(x) - log(y)

 For each real number r we have :

Change the base of a logarithmic function

Sometimes it is very useful to change the base of a logarithmic function.

logb(a) . loga(x) = logb(x)

Let logb(a) = u then bu = a (1)

Let loga(x) = v then av = x (2)

Let logb(x) = w then bw = x (3)

From (2) and (3) we have

=> logb(a) . loga(x) = logb(x)

We try to calculate the derivative of the exponential function

Appealing on the definition of the derivative, we can write

(since ax is constant with respect to h )

The number e as a limit

means that for very very small values of h

<=> e is approximately (1 + h)1/h

e = lim (1 + h)1/h = 2.718 28...

Or, if we say that t = 1/h

e = lim (1 + 1/t)t = 2.718 28...

The logarithmic function with base number e is noted ln(x). So,

Differentiation of logarithmic functions

Let f(x) = log(x) , then

<=> f'(x) = lim log( (x+h)/x )1/h

<=> f'(x) = lim log( (x+h)/x )1/h

<=> f'(x) = lim log(1 + h/x)1/h

<=> f'(x) = lim log((1 + h/x)x/h )1/x

<=> f'(x) = lim (1/x).log(1 + h/x)x/h

<=> f'(x) =(1/x). lim log(1 + h/x)x/h

<=> f'(x) =(1/x). lim log(1 + h/x)x/h

<=> f'(x) =(1/x).log lim (1 + h/x)x/h

<=> f'(x) =(1/x).log(e)

<=> f'(x) =(1/x).ln(e)/ln(a)

<=> f'(x) =(1/x)/ln(a)

Let u be a differentiable function of x.

Derivative of an exponential function

Let f(x) = ax, then loga(ax ) and x are identical functions.

Let u be a differentiable function of x.

Let f(x) = xr with r any real number.

For any real number r, we have

= uv . (v' ln(u) + v.(1/u).u'

= v uv-1 u' + uv.ln(u).v'