Log Graphs ( Linear Reduction)

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It is possible to convert exponential equations into linear equations in the form 𝑦=

𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 .

This is done by using laws of logarithms. We will consider two types of equations and
write both in linear form.

Reminder log 𝑒 𝑥 = ln 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 log10 𝑥 = lg 𝑥

Type 1 Type 2 -

x is in the power x is in the base

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛

ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + ln 𝑏 𝑥 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + ln 𝑥 𝑛

ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + 𝑥𝑙𝑛 𝑏 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + 𝑛𝑙𝑛 𝑥

ln 𝑦 = (𝑙𝑛 𝑏) 𝑥 + ln 𝑎 ln 𝑦 = 𝑛 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 + ln 𝑎

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐

Equating Equating

𝑦 = ln 𝑦 ] 𝑦 = ln 𝑦

𝑥=𝑥 𝑥 = ln 𝑥

𝑚 = ln 𝑏 ( 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡) 𝑚 = 𝑛 (𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡)

𝑐 = ln 𝑎 ( 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡) 𝑐 = ln 𝑎 (𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡)

Since 𝑦 = ln 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑥 Since 𝑦 = ln 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = ln 𝑥

𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑛𝑦 ln 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 ln 𝑦

𝑙𝑛 𝑦
𝑙𝑛 𝑦

𝑥 ln 𝑥
Example 1

The variables 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 are thought to be related by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑏 𝑥 , where 𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏are constants.
The table of values shows some corresponding values of x and y.

X 1 2 3
y 9 3 1

a) Draw a straight line graph of ln 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 to prove the form of the equation.
b) Use your graph to estimate the value of k.
c) Use the gradient - intercept form for the equation of a straight line to calculate the value of b.
d) Hence, state the particular equation representing the graph drawn.

Solution:

(a)

X 1 2 3
y 9 3 1
ln y 2.197 1.099 0

(b) By applying the law of log we can convert

the exponential to linear form

𝑦 = 𝑘𝑏 𝑥

ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑘 + ln 𝑏 𝑥

ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑘 + 𝑥𝑙𝑛 𝑏

ln 𝑦 = (𝑙𝑛 𝑏) 𝑥 + ln 𝑘

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐

Hence

ln 𝑘 = 3.3

log 𝑒 𝑘 = 3.3

𝑘 = 𝑒 3.3

𝑘 = 27.1

3.3
(c) The gradient 𝑚 = 3
, 𝑚 = 1.1

(d) Particular equation

ln 𝑏 = −1.1

log 𝑒 𝑏 = −1.1 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑏 𝑥

𝑏 = 𝑒 −1.1 𝑦 = 27.1 (0.333) 𝑥

𝑏 = 0.333
Example 2

The variables x and y are thought to be related by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 𝑛 , where k and n are constants.
The table of values shows some corresponding values of x and y.

X 1 2 3
y 9 1.13 0.333

a) Draw a straight line graph of lg 𝑦 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑔𝑥 to prove the form of the equation.
b) Use your graph to estimate the value of k.
c) Use the gradient - intercept form for the equation of a straight line to calculate the value of b.
d) Hence, state the particular equation representing the graph drawn.

Solution:

(a) Since the questions requires plotting lg 𝑦 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑔𝑥 so we find the values of lg x and lg y

X 1 2 3
y 9 1.13 0.333
Lg x 0 0.301 0.477
Lg y 0.954 0.053 -0.478

(b)
𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 𝑛

ln 𝑦 = 𝑘 + ln 𝑥 𝑛

ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑘 + 𝑛𝑙𝑛 𝑥

ln 𝑦 = 𝑛 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 + ln 𝑘

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐

Hence

lg 𝑘 = 0.954

𝑘 = 100.954

𝑘 = 8.99

(c) The value of n (d) 𝑦 = 8.99𝑥 −3

n represents the gradient

using two points

0.954 − 0.053
= −2.99
0 − 0.301

𝑚 = −3
Practice Questions

Toolsie Ex. 5.11 #3 and 10

3. The variables 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 are thought to be related by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑏 𝑥 , where 𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏are
constants. The table of values shows some corresponding values of x and y.

X 2 3 4
y 11.5 5.75 2.88

a) Draw a straight line graph of ln 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 to prove the form of the equation.
b) Use your graph to estimate the value of k.
c) Use the gradient - intercept form for the equation of a straight line to calculate the value of b.
d) Hence, state the particular equation representing the graph drawn.

Solutions:

X 2 3 4
y 11.5 5.75 2.88
10. The pressure p and volume , v are related by the equation 𝑎 = 𝑝𝑣 𝑛 , where a and n are
constants.

The following experimental values of p and v were found.

Pressure P 10 20 30 40 50

Volume V 1.58 1.12 0.913 0.791 0.707

(a) Convert the equation to linear form and draw the straight line graph.

(b) Using the graph, estimate the value of n and of a.

(c) Write down the particular equation.

(d) Hence, state the expected pressure when the volume is

(i) 5 (ii) 15 (iii) 25

Solution:

Pressure P 10 20 30 40 50
. Volume V 1.58 1.12 0.913 0.791 0.707