Name: Daniel Wahba Date: 06/2/2024

Student Exploration: Logarithmic Functions

Vocabulary: asymptote, base, domain, exponent, exponential function, inverse

function, logarithmic function, range

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. An exponent indicates repeated multiplication. A function with a variable in the exponent is

called an exponential function.

A. Evaluate the exponential expressions below. (Recall that negative exponents

indicate fractions. For example, 2–3 = = .)

23 = 8 22 = 4 21 = 2 20 = 1 2–1 = 1/2 2–2 = 1/4 2–3 = B. Based on your answers

above, what points must lie on the graph of y = 2x?
The points that lie on the graph are: (3,8), (2,4), (1,2), (0,1), (-1,1/2), (-2.1/4), (-3,1/8)

2. An inverse function reverses the x- and y-values of the original function. What points must
lie on the inverse of y = 2x? The points that must lie on the inverse of y = 2x are (8,3), (4,2),
(2,1), (1,0), (1/2,-1), (1/4,-2), (1/8,-3)

Gizmo Warm-up
The inverse of an exponential function with base b (y = bx) is called
a logarithmic function, also with base b (y = logb(x)). So, the
inverse of y = 2xis y = log2(x). If a point lies on the graph of y = 2x
(say, (3, 8)), then a corresponding point, with x and y flipped, lies on
y = log2(x) (say, (8, 3)). In the Logarithmic Functions Gizmo™, you
can explore related logarithmic and exponential functions.

On the CONTROLS tab, set b to 2 to graph y = log2(x). (To quickly

set the value of a slider, type the number into the text box to the
right of the slider and press Enter.)

1. Use the slider to vary the value of b. How does this affect the graph? The graph's horizontal
stretch and steepness are impacted by changes in the value of b. The graph extends
horizontally for b>1, becomes steeper for x>1 and less steep for 0<x<1. On the other hand,
the graph gets steeper for 0<x<1 and less steep for x>1 for 0<b<1.
2. Vary b again. What happens to the x-intercept? The x intercept remains at (1,0)
Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
● Select Show associated exponential and
Logarithmic Show probe.
function basics

1. Because logarithmic functions are inverses of exponential functions, it helps to start by

reviewing exponential functions. Consider the function y = 2x.

A. Complete the table for the function y = 2x, and plot the points on the grid.

B. Next, complete the table of values for the inverse function, y = log2(x), by switching
the x- and y-values. The first row is done for you. Then plot the points on the grid.

y = 2x

x y

–2 1/4

y = log2(x)
–1 1
2 x y

0 1 1/4 –2

1 2 1 -1

2
2
4
1 0

2 1

4 2

Graph y = log2(x) and y = 2xin the Gizmo. Then sketch the graphs as smooth curves
through the points you plotted. (Use the probe to make sure your points are correct.)

C. The point (3, 8) lies on the graph of y = 2x, because 23 = 8. What corresponding point

lies on the graph of the inverse function, y = log2(x)? (8,3)

D. In general, if the point (x, y) lies on the graph of y = bx, what point lies on the graph of
 its inverse function, y = logbx? (y,x)

2. Set b to 3 to graph y = log3(x).

A. Name 3 points on the graph of y = 3x. (1, 0) (3, 1) (9, 2)

B. Name 3 corresponding points on y = log3(x). (0, 1) (1, 3) (2, 9)

Explain why. The graphs of the function y = 3x and y = log3(x) are inversely related.
This inverse relationship means that a point of (x,y) on the graph of y = 3x will have a
corresponding point of (y,x) on the graph of y = log3(x). It also presents a logarithmic
function that ‘’undoes’’ the exponential operation through finding the exponent (x)
which would then produce the given value of (y) when 3 is raised to that power.
(Activity A continued on next page)
Activity A (continued from previous page)

3. Consider the function y = log5(x).

A. What function is the inverse of y = log5(x)? y = 5x.

B. Give exact coordinates of a pair of corresponding points on y = 5x and y = log5(x).

Point on y = 5x: (1, 5) Point on y = log5(x): (5, 1)

C. Fill in the missing values. Then graph y = 5x and y = log5(x) to check your answers.
52 = 25 log5(25) = 2

4. Use the probe to find the value of log5(1).

A. Fill in the blanks: log5(1) = 0 so the point (1,0) is on the graph of y = log5(x).
This point is the x intercept of the graph.

B. Use the slider to vary the value of b. What happens to the x-intercept as you do so?

The x intercept remains the same.

C. Explain why that makes sense. Since a variable's value always equals one when
raised to the power of zero, the intercept remains constant. Variable put to the
power of zero = -> no change

5. Consider the functions y = log5(x) and y = log(x). (Note: “log(x)” means “log10(x).”)
A. What is the value of log5(5)? 1 What is the value of log(10)?1

Check your answers in the Gizmo.

B. Use the slider to vary b. In general, what is the value of logb(b)? 1

 C. Explain why. The exponent at which the base must be raised to obtain the value
of b is expressed as logb(b). The exponent's value needs to be one in order to
raise a number to an exponent that corresponds to the same response as the
base. Logb(B) represents exponent that must-be raised to achieve value of b.
For a number to be raised exponent must equal the same as base = value of
the exponent must be one.

6. The points (1, 0) and (4, 1) lie on the graph of

the logarithmic function shown here. What is
the equation of this function?
y = log4(x)
Check your answer in the Gizmo.
Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:
● Select Show associated exponential.
Domain, range,
● Turn off Show probe.
and asymptotes
● Select Show line y = x.

1. Set b to 4. The inverse functions y = log4(x) and y = 4x should now be graphed in the Gizmo.
Name a pair of corresponding points for y = log4(x) and y = 4x.

Point on y = 4x: (1,, 4) Point on y = log4(x): (4, 1)

2. Pan (drag) the grid so you can see more of the negative parts of the x- and y-axes. A. How

is the graph of y = 4xrelated to the x-axis (y = 0) as x goes to negative infinity?

The graph of y=4xis related to the x-axis because the line y=0 acts as a
horizontal asymptote for the graph.
The line y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote in the graph of y = 4x.

B. What is the equation of the vertical asymptote of the graph of y = log4(x)? x = 0

C. The domain is the set of all x-values of a function, and the range is all the y-values.
What are the domain and range of the function y = 4x and its inverse, y = log4(x)?

Domain of y = 4x: (-∞, ∞) Range of y = 4x: (0,∞)

Domain of y = log4(x): (0,∞) Range of y = log4(x): (-∞,∞)

D. Why do you think the range of y = 4xis the same as the domain of y = log4(x)?
The range of y=4xis the same as the domain of y=log4(x) because the two are
inversely related by a logarithmic function. In other words, the logarithmic
function undoes the exponential relationship in y = 4x, allowing the values of
x (domain in the exponential function) to be expressed as the values of y
 (range in the logarithmic function) and vice versa.

E. Vary b. In general, what is the equation of the asymptote, the domain, and the range
of the function y = logb(x)?

Asymptote: x=0 Domain: {x∈ℝlx>0} Range: {y∈ℝ}

Activity C: Get the Gizmo ready:

● Select Show associated exponential.
Practice with
● Set b to 10.
logarithmic
functions

1. How are the functions y = 10x and y = log(x) related? The functions y = 10^x and y = log(x) exhibit an
inverse relationship. If one was to split them on the same graph, these functions mirror each other
across the line y = x.
- The exponential growth of y = 10^x contrasts with the logarithmic growth of y = log(x).
- As x increases, y = 10^x experiences rapid exponential growth, while y = log(x) grows more
slowly.
- The symmetry across the line y = x emphasizes their inverse connection
- one function represents exponential growth and the other represents logarithmic growth.

2. List the exact coordinates of four points that lie on the graph of y = log(x).

(1, 0)(10, 1) (100, 2) (1000,3)

3. Evaluate the expressions below. Check your answers in the Gizmo.

 log7(49) = 2 log9(1) = 0 log3(81) = 4 log2( ) = -3

4. Consider the function y = log3(x).

A. What is the value of log3(3)? 1

B. What is the value of log3(9)? 2

C. What is the x-intercept of y = log3(x)? (1,0)

Why? The intercept is located as (1,0)

because any number raised to a power of
zero will equal 1, therefore when y is 0 the
intercept must be located at (1,0).

D. Use your answers to help sketch the graph of y = log3(x) on this grid. Then check
your graph in the Gizmo.

5. The graph of a logarithmic function is shown here.

A. What function is graphed? y=log8(x)

B. Give the coordinates of the point on this curve

that has a y-value of 2. (64, 2)

Check your answers in the Gizmo.

6. Explain why log(–1) has no solution. Value of a logarithm being a negative number is
undefined which means that only positive inputs are valid. Not possible for an exponent to
yield a negative response. IF the base was raised to a negative exponent it would result in
a fraction greater than zero.p ositive inputs are the only ones that are accepted because
the logarithm value for negative values is undefined. A negative result from an exponent is
not feasible, which is required for log(-1) to be true. Any base elevated to a negative
exponent would provide a fraction larger than zero.