A magnitude 7 earthquake does not release twice the energy of a magnitude 5 quake. It releases thousands of times more.
The Richter scale, the pH of orange juice, and the decibels at a concert all squeeze enormous numbers into a small, friendly scale, and they all use the same tool: the logarithm.
You already know how to evaluate $\log_b x$. Now let's study it as a function, with its own domain, graph, and equations, and by the end of the page you'll know exactly how much more energy that magnitude 7 quake releases.
Logarithms: The Inverse of an Exponential
Every logarithm statement is an exponent statement in disguise:
Exponential form
Logarithmic form
$2^3 = 8$
$\log_2 8 = 3$
$10^{-2} = 0.01$
$\log 0.01 = -2$
$e^0 = 1$
$\ln 1 = 0$
Because $y = b^x$ and $y = \log_b x$ undo each other, they are inverse functions:
To find an inverse, swap $x$ and $y$, then solve for $y$. For an exponential, "solving" means taking a logarithm.
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Find the equation of the inverse function $f^{-1}(x)$ of the exponential function $f(x) = 10^{x+2} - 5$.
Find the equation of the inverse function $f^{-1}(x)$ of the exponential function $f(x) = 10^{x+2} - 5$.
The book value of a high-capacity computer server depreciates over time according to the exponential function $V(t) = 4500 \cdot e^{-0,25t}$, where $V$ is the value in…
The book value of a high-capacity computer server depreciates over time according to the exponential function $V(t) = 4500 \cdot e^{-0,25t}$, where $V$ is the value in dollars and $t$ is the time elapsed in years since its purchase. Find the equation of the inverse function $t(V)$ and briefly explain what quantity this new function allows to be calculated.
Analyze the symmetry relationship between the functions $f(x) = e^{x-1}$ and $g(x) = \ln(x) + 1$. Observe the attached graph showing both curves and the line y = x.…
Analyze the symmetry relationship between the functions $f(x) = e^{x-1}$ and $g(x) = \ln(x) + 1$. Observe the attached graph showing both curves and the line y = x. Prove algebraically that they are inverse functions by calculating the composition $(f \circ g)(x)$ and $(g \circ f)(x)$.
Find the domain of the function $f(x) = \log_{10} \left( \frac{x+3}{|x-2|} \right)$. Pay special attention to the points that make the numerator, the denominator, and…
Find the domain of the function $f(x) = \log_{10} \left( \frac{x+3}{|x-2|} \right)$. Pay special attention to the points that make the numerator, the denominator, and the argument of the logarithm zero.
Given the function $h(x) = \log_{0,5}(x)$, state with reasons whether it is an increasing or decreasing function throughout its domain and calculate the exact value of…
Given the function $h(x) = \log_{0,5}(x)$, state with reasons whether it is an increasing or decreasing function throughout its domain and calculate the exact value of $h(1)$ and $h(4)$.
From the following graph of the function $f(x) = \log_2(x+2) - 1$, determine algebraically its domain, its range, the equation of its vertical asymptote, and the exact…
From the following graph of the function $f(x) = \log_2(x+2) - 1$, determine algebraically its domain, its range, the equation of its vertical asymptote, and the exact coordinates of the x- and y-intercepts.
Start from the parent function $y = \log_b x$ (vertical asymptote $x = 0$, point $(1, 0)$) and apply the usual transformations.
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Describe precisely what geometric transformations (translations) must be applied to the graph of the parent function $f(x) = \ln(x)$ to obtain the graph of the function…
Describe precisely what geometric transformations (translations) must be applied to the graph of the parent function $f(x) = \ln(x)$ to obtain the graph of the function $g(x) = \ln(x+2) - 3$.
Determine the numerical values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the logarithmic function $f(x) = \ln(ax + b)$ simultaneously satisfies two conditions: having a…
Determine the numerical values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the logarithmic function $f(x) = \ln(ax + b)$ simultaneously satisfies two conditions: having a vertical asymptote at the line with equation $x = -3$ and passing through the point with coordinates $(2, 0)$.
Continuity and Piecewise Functions with a Log Piece
A function is continuous at $x = c$ when you can draw through $x = c$ without lifting your pencil. Precisely, three things must hold: $f(c)$ is defined, $\lim_{x \to c} f(x)$ exists (the left and right limits agree), and the limit equals $f(c)$.
A logarithmic piece is continuous everywhere on its domain. So with a piecewise function, the only place to check is where the pieces meet.
Three kinds of breaks to recognize: a removable discontinuity (a hole: the limit exists but doesn't match $f(c)$), a jump (left and right limits differ), and an infinite discontinuity (a vertical asymptote).
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Determine if the following piecewise function is continuous at $x = 1$. If there is a discontinuity, classify its type.…
Determine if the following piecewise function is continuous at $x = 1$. If there is a discontinuity, classify its type.
Given the function $f(x) = \ln \left( \frac{1+x}{1-x} \right)$ whose domain is the interval $x \in (-1, 1)$, prove analytically, using the properties of logarithms, that…
Given the function $f(x) = \ln \left( \frac{1+x}{1-x} \right)$ whose domain is the interval $x \in (-1, 1)$, prove analytically, using the properties of logarithms, that the identity $f(a) + f(b) = f\left( \frac{a+b}{1+ab} \right)$ is satisfied for any values $a$ and $b$ belonging to the domain that make the expression meaningful.
Solve the following logarithmic equation. Make sure to check the possible solutions in the original equation to rule out extraneous roots: $2\log_2(x) - \log_2(x-1) = 3$
Solve the following logarithmic equation. Make sure to check the possible solutions in the original equation to rule out extraneous roots:
A system is solved as always, by substitution or elimination, once the logs and exponents are turned into ordinary algebra. The two moves you need: condense logs (then use the definition or equal arguments) and rewrite exponentials with a common base (then equate exponents).
The graph shows the same two solutions: the line $y = 10 - x$ meets the curve $y = \dfrac{16}{x}$ at $(2, 8)$ and $(8, 2)$.
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Find the values of $x$ and $y$ that satisfy the following system of nonlinear equations: $\begin{cases} x - y = 9 \\ \log_3(x) + \log_3(y) = 3 \end{cases}$
Find the values of $x$ and $y$ that satisfy the following system of nonlinear equations:
$\begin{cases} x - y = 9 \\ \log_3(x) + \log_3(y) = 3 \end{cases}$
To solve an equation with the unknown in the exponent, take a log of both sides and use the power rule to bring the exponent down.
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The law of radioactive decay of Carbon-14 is given by the function $N(t) = N_0 \cdot e^{-\lambda t}$, where $N_0$ is the initial amount of the isotope, $N(t)$ is the…
The law of radioactive decay of Carbon-14 is given by the function $N(t) = N_0 \cdot e^{-\lambda t}$, where $N_0$ is the initial amount of the isotope, $N(t)$ is the remaining amount at time $t$ (in years), and $\lambda$ is the decay constant. Knowing that the half-life (time needed for the initial amount to halve) is $5730$ years, calculate the exact value of the constant $\lambda$. Subsequently, determine the approximate age of a bone fossil that retains only $15\%$ of its original Carbon-14.
According to Newton's law of cooling, the temperature $T$ of a body at a time $t$ (in minutes) is given by the expression $T(t) = T_a + (T_0 - T_a)e^{-kt}$, where $T_a$…
According to Newton's law of cooling, the temperature $T$ of a body at a time $t$ (in minutes) is given by the expression $T(t) = T_a + (T_0 - T_a)e^{-kt}$, where $T_a$ is the constant ambient temperature and $T_0$ is the initial temperature of the body. A cup of tea at $90^\circ\text{C}$ is left to rest in a room whose temperature is $20^\circ\text{C}$. If after $10$ minutes the temperature of the tea has dropped to $60^\circ\text{C}$, find the exact value of the cooling constant $k$. Next, calculate how much total time must elapse from the start for the temperature to drop to $35^\circ\text{C}$.
In chemistry, the pH of a solution is defined by the expression $pH = -\log[H^+]$, where $[H^+]$ represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter.…
In chemistry, the pH of a solution is defined by the expression $pH = -\log[H^+]$, where $[H^+]$ represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter. Calculate the pH of orange juice whose hydrogen ion concentration is $[H^+] = 10^{-3,2}$.
The sound intensity level $\beta$, measured in decibels (dB), is calculated using the acoustic formula $\beta = 10 \log \left( \frac{I}{I_0} \right)$, where $I$ is the…
The sound intensity level $\beta$, measured in decibels (dB), is calculated using the acoustic formula $\beta = 10 \log \left( \frac{I}{I_0} \right)$, where $I$ is the sound intensity in $\text{W/m}^2$ and $I_0 = 10^{-12} \text{ W/m}^2$ is the standard threshold of hearing. If the takeoff of a jet plane generates a noise level of $140 \text{ dB}$, what is the intensity $I$ of that sound in $\text{W/m}^2$?
On the Richter scale, the magnitude $M$ of an earthquake is related to the energy released $E$ (in ergs) by the empirical equation $\log(E) = 11,8 + 1,5M$. Calculate how…
On the Richter scale, the magnitude $M$ of an earthquake is related to the energy released $E$ (in ergs) by the empirical equation $\log(E) = 11,8 + 1,5M$. Calculate how many times greater the energy released by an earthquake of magnitude $7,0$ is compared to the energy released by one of magnitude $5,0$.
Back to the start: the energy of an earthquake grows like $10^{1.5M}$. A difference of $7 - 5 = 2$ magnitude units multiplies the energy by $10^{1.5 \cdot 2} = 10^3 = 1{,}000$. So a magnitude 7 quake releases about a thousand times the energy of a magnitude 5.
Summary
Let's practice! 8 medium exercises in this section