LOGARITHMIC

FUNCTIONS
General Mathematics
Definition
 Let a and b be positive real numbers such that a ≠
1. The logarithm of x with base a is denoted by
logax and is defined as follows,

y = loga x if and only if x = ay

 The function f(x) = logax is the logarithmic

function with base a.
Logarithmic Equation Exponential Equation

y = loga x x = ay

The above equation The above equation

is in logarithmic is in exponential
form form

From these equivalent equations it

should also be clear that a logarithm is
an exponent.
23 = 8 The exponent of 23 is 3.

Log28 = 3 The value of the

logarithm log28 is 3.

A logarithm is an exponent.
Rewrite each Logarithmic Equation in Exponential
Form

log216 = 4

24 = 16
Rewrite each Logarithmic Equation in Exponential
Form

1
log497 =
2
1
49 =7
2
Rewrite each Logarithmic Equation in Exponential
Form

1
log10 =- 2
100

-21
10 =
100
Rewrite each Exponential Equation in Logarithmic
Form

3
4 =64

log 4 64 =3
Rewrite each Exponential Equation in Logarithmic
Form

0
2 =1

log 2 1=0
Rewrite each Exponential Equation in Logarithmic
Form

-11
3 =
3 1
log 3 =- 1
3
Rewrite each Exponential Equation in Logarithmic
Form

1
9 =3
2

1
log 9 3 =
2
Evaluating Logarithms

log 2 32 = 5
Evaluating Logarithms

log 3 9 = 2
Evaluating Logarithms

1
log 25 5 =
2
Evaluating Logarithms

log 5 1= 0
Evaluating Logarithms

1
log10 = -1
10
Evaluating Logarithms

( )
log 3 - 1 =
Undefined. There is no power to which 3 can be
raised to obtain -1. Because for any value of x, 3x is
a positive number.
Evaluating Logarithms

log 4 0 =

Undefined. There is no power to which 4

can be raised to obtain 0.
Properties of Logarithms
 Leta and x be positive real numbers such that
a ≠ 1. Then the following properties hold.
log a 1=0 because a0 = 1.

log a a =1 because a1 = a.

x
log a a =x because ax = ax.
Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

 On the same rectangular coordinate system,

sketch the graphs of each function.
 f(x)=2x
 g(x) = log2x
 y= 2x

y= log2x

Domain: (0,∞)

Range: (-∞,∞)

Intercept: (1,0)
Increasing

Asymptote: y- axis