Activity 5 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Objective : To sketch the graphs of a and log x , a>0 , a≠1 and to

x
a

examine that they are mirror images of each other.

Material Required: Geometrical instruments , pencil, eraser,
graph paper, mirror , glue.
Method of construction:
1)On the sheet take two perpendicular lines XOX’ and YOY’
depicting the coordinate axes.
2)Mark graduations on the two axes.
3)Find some ordered pairs satisfying y= a and y= log x .
x
a

Plot these points corresponding to the ordered pairs and

join them by free hand curves in both the cases.
4)Draw the graph of y=𝑥.

Demonstration :
1)For a , take a=2 and find ordered pairs satisfying it and
x

plot these ordered pairs on the graph sheet.

𝑥 0 1 -1 2 -2 3 -3 1/2 -1/2 4
2x
1 2 0.5 4 1/4 8 1/8 1.4 0.7 16

2)Join the points. This will represent the graph of 2 . x

3) log x= y gives 𝑥=2 . Some ordered pairs satisfying it are

2
y

𝑥 1 2 1/2 4 1/4 8 1/8

y 0 1 -1 2 -2 3 -3
 Plot these ordered pairs on the graph sheet. Join the
points . This will represent the graph of log x.
2

4)Draw the graph of the line y=𝑥 on the sheet.

5)Place a mirror along the line y=𝑥 . It can be seen that
the two graphs of the given functions are mirror
images of each other in the line y=𝑥.

Observation:
1) Image of the ordered pair (1,2) on the graph of y=
2 in y=𝑥 is __________. It lies on the graph of y=______.
x

2) Image of the ordered pair (4,2) on the graph of

y= log xin y=𝑥 is __________. It lies on the graph of
2

y=______.

______________________