Logarithmic

Functions and Their

Graphs
Objectives:
 represent a logarithmic function through its: (a) table of
values, (b) graph, and (c) equation;
 find the domain and range of a logarithmic function;
 determine the intercepts, zeros, and asymptotes of
logarithmic functions; and
 graph logarithmic functions.
Definition of Terms
One-to-one Function – A function is one-to-one if no two
ordered pairs in the function have the same second
components.
Relation – a set of ordered pairs. The domain of a relation is
the set of first coordinates. The range is the set of second
coordinates.
Function – a relation in which each element of the domain
corresponds to exactly one element of the range.
If f = {(1, 4), (1, 6), (5, 8)},
then f is not a function
because the ordered pairs If h = {(1, 4), (3, 6), (5,
(1, 4) and (1, 6) have the
8)}, then h is a
same first components. f is
only a relation. function and is one-to-
one.
Finding the Inverse
Function of a One-to-
One Function f
1. Find the domain of f and verify if it is one-to-
one. If it is not one-to-one, then stop. It means
the inverse function does not exist.
2. Solve the equation y = f(x) for x.

Thus,

3. Interchange x and y
4. Find the domain of f⁻¹

The domain of f⁻¹ must

equal the range of f. From
the graph of f in Step 1,
we see that the range of f
is [0, ∞). Thus, the domain
of f⁻¹ is also [0, ∞)
Logarithmic Function

if and only if bˣ = y for b > 0, b ≠ 1.

A logarithm is an exponent which b must have to produce

y.

In either equation, b is called the base and must be a

positive number, not equal to 1.
Example 1
Write each exponential equation in logarithmic form.
a. 3² = x
b. b. 81 = 3ˣ
c. c. 10⁻² = 0.01
d. d. eʸ = 9
 Example 2
Write each logarithmic equation in exponential form.
Properties of Logarithms
If b > 0 and b ≠ 1, then
1. because b⁰ = 1
2. because b¹ = b
3. and (Inverse Properties)
4. If , then x = y (One-to-one Property)
5.

6.
Location of Base and Exponent in Exponential and
Logarithmic Forms
Difference Between Exponential and
Logarithmic Functions
 Example 3
Evaluate each.
Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

To sketch the graph of , you can use the

fact that the graphs of inverse functions are
reflections of each other along the line
y = x.
Example 4
Graph f(x) = 3ˣ and g(x) = in the same x-y plane.

Set up a table of coordinates for f(x) = 3ˣ. Reverse these

coordinates to get the coordinates for the inverse function
g(x) = .
Plot the ordered pairs in both tables. Connect each set with a
smooth curve. The graph of the inverse can also be drawn by
reflecting the graph of f(x) = 3ˣ about the line y = x.
Characteristics of the Graphs of
Logarithmic Functions
 The x-intercept is 1. There is no y-intercept.
 The y-axis is a vertical asymptote.
 Ifb > 1, the function is increasing. If 0 < b < 1, the
function is decreasing.
 The graph is smooth and continuous. It has no sharp
corners or gaps.
Example 5
Graph f(x) = and h(x) in the same x-y plane.
Transformations Involving Logarithmic Functions
Example 7

Without graphing, use equation 1 to

describe the transformation that yields
the graph of equation 2.