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Skill 6 Notes
Skill 6 Notes
Exponential and
Logarithmic Functions
Skill 6a: Graphs of Exponential Functions
Skill 6b: Solving Exponential Equations (not requiring logarithms)
Skill 6c: Definition of Logarithms
Skill 6d: Graphs of Logarithms
Skill 6e: Properties of logarithms
(product rule, quotient rule, power rule, change of base)
Skill 6f: Logarithmic Equations (not requiring exponentials)
Skill 6g: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations requiring inverse operations
Skill 6a: Graphs of Exponential Functions
An exponential function is defined as an expression with a constant base with a variable exponent. The following
are examples of exponential functions:
In general an exponential function is of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 , where 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1. Why is it necessary for 𝑎 >
0? What can't 𝑎 = 1?
-1
1
2
3
4
What is the equation of the horizontal asymptote of the basic exponential function?
1 𝑥
2. Complete the table for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 . 3. Complete the table for 𝑓(𝑥) = ( ) .
2
Then graph the function above. Then graph the function above.
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
-2 -2
-1 -1
0 0
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
4. If 1 < 𝑎 < 𝑏. Sketch a graph that illustrates the difference between 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥
5. If 0 < 𝑎 < 𝑏 < 1. Sketch a graph that illustrates the difference between 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥
1 𝑥 1
6. If 𝑎 > 1, how does the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎−𝑥 compare to the graphs of 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑎) and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 ?
_____ 7. 𝑦 = 3𝑥
_____ 8. 𝑦 = 3−𝑥
_____ 9. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 5
1 𝑥
_____ 10. 𝑦 = ( )
3
3 𝑥
_____ 11. 𝑦 = (2)
2 𝑥
_____ 12. 𝑦 = (3)
2 −𝑥
_____ 14. 𝑦 = (3)
1
_____ 15. 𝑦 = 3𝑥
1
_____ 16. 𝑦 = 3−𝑥
17. What is the domain, range, y-intercept, and the equation of the horizontal asymptote for 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥+2 − 3.
1 𝑛
The number 𝑒 is defined as the value of (1 + 𝑛) as n approaches infinity. 𝑒 is an irrational number, but to ten
decimal places it can be approximated as 2.7182818285. When 𝑒 is the base of an exponential function, it is
called the natural exponential function.
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
Skill 6b: Solving Exponential Equations (not requiring logarithms)
Some exponential equations can be solved by rewriting constants values in terms of the base.
Solve for x:
1. 3𝑥 = 81 2. 63𝑥−7 + 4 = 40
3. 6 = 12(2𝑥 ) 4. 64𝑥 = 16
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 ,
A) What is 𝑓(3)? B) What is 𝑓 −1 (8)?
The exponential equation 23 = 8 can be written as the logarithmic (or log) equation log 2 8 = 3.
1
2. 54 = 625 3. 3−5 = 4. 103 = 1000 5. 𝑒 3 ≈ 20.086
243
Note that log10 𝑥 is usually written log 𝑥, so instead of writing log10 100 = 2, write log 100 = 2 . Also log 𝑒 𝑥is
written ln 𝑥.
𝑥 2𝑥 𝑥 log 2 𝑥
−2 −2
−1 −1
0 0
1 1
2 2
For a basic logarithm:
Domain: ___________________
Range: _____________________
X - Intercept: ______________________
State the domain, range, x-intercept, and give the equation of the vertical asymptote for each function below:
_____ 5. 𝑦 = log 3 𝑥 A B C
_____ 6. 𝑦 = − log 3 𝑥
_____ 8. 𝑦 = log 1 𝑥
3
D E F
_____ 9. 𝑦 = log 3 (𝑥 − 4)
_____ 13. 𝑦 = ln 𝑥
A B C
10𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 = ________________
so, 𝑦 = __________________
log(𝑎𝑛 ) = 𝑛 log 𝑎
1
And recall log 𝑏 = − log 𝑏
𝑎
log ( ) = log 𝑎 − log 𝑏
𝑏
3
𝑥3 1 √𝑥
4. log 3 5. log 5 6. log 7
𝑦 𝑎𝑏 7
Combine the following using the properties of logarithms into a single logarithm:
log(𝑦)
7. 4 log(𝑥) + 2
− log(𝑧) 8. 4 + log 2 𝑥 9. 2 log 3 𝑥 − 1 + log 3 𝑦
5 125
13. log 8 3 14. log 8 8
15. log 8 10
Changing Bases:
log 𝑏
so, 𝑐= log 𝑎
log 𝑏
log 𝑎 𝑏 = 𝑐 = log 𝑎
So with just a 'log' or 'ln' button on a calculator, any logarthin can be found.
Change of Base Rule for Logarithms
log 𝑏 ln 𝑏
log 𝑎 𝑏 = log 𝑎 or log 𝑎 𝑏 = ln 𝑎
1
16. log 4 60 17. log 3 2 18. log 7(−4)
Solve for x:
Solve each equation using inverse functions. Approximate solutions to 3 decimal places when needed.
5. 10𝑥 = 50 6. 4log(2𝑥) − 6 = 2 7. 𝑒 5−𝑥 = 4