Logarithmic Functions
A magnitude 8 earthquake does not release a little more energy than a magnitude 5 quake. It releases tens of thousands of times more.
The Richter scale, pH, and decibels all squeeze enormous numbers into a small, readable 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.
What a logarithm means
Because $\log_b$ and $b^x$ undo each other, you get these facts for free:
The most useful move in this whole page is switching between logarithmic form and exponential form.
Solve the following logarithmic equation by applying the definition of a logarithm: $\log_2(3x + 1) = 4$
Solve the following logarithmic equation by applying the definition of a logarithm:
$\log_2(3x + 1) = 4$
Domain, range, and vertical asymptote
To find the domain of a more complicated function, set the argument (the stuff inside the log) greater than $0$.
Determine the domain of definition of the logarithmic function $f(x) = \log_3(2x - 8)$.
Determine the domain of definition of the logarithmic function $f(x) = \log_3(2x - 8)$.
Determine the domain of definition of the function $f(x) = \ln(x^2 - 4x - 5)$. Express the result using intervals.
Determine the domain of definition of the function $f(x) = \ln(x^2 - 4x - 5)$. Express the result using intervals.
Determine the domain of definition 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…
Determine the domain of definition 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.
Graph: increasing or decreasing, and intercepts
To find intercepts, remember the two standard questions: set $y=0$ for the $x$-intercept and $x=0$ for the $y$-intercept (if $0$ is in the domain).
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 $h(4)$.
Find the points of intersection with the coordinate axes (x-axis and y-axis, if they exist) of the function $g(x) = \ln(x - 2)$.
Find the points of intersection with the coordinate axes (x-axis and y-axis, if they exist) of the function $g(x) = \ln(x - 2)$.
Transformations of logarithmic graphs
Describe precisely what geometric transformations (translations) must be applied to the graph of the elementary function $f(x) = \ln(x)$ to obtain the graph of the…
Describe precisely what geometric transformations (translations) must be applied to the graph of the elementary function $f(x) = \ln(x)$ to obtain the graph of the function $g(x) = \ln(x+2) - 3$.
From the following graphical representation of the function $f(x) = \log_2(x+2) - 1$, determine analytically its domain, its range, the equation of its vertical…
From the following graphical representation of the function $f(x) = \log_2(x+2) - 1$, determine analytically its domain, its range, the equation of its vertical asymptote and the exact coordinates of the points of intersection with the x and y-axes.
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
For a piecewise function, the "danger point" is where the formula changes. Compute the left limit, the right limit, and the value there.
Study the continuity of the following piecewise function at the point $x = 1$. If there is any discontinuity, classify it by indicating what type it is.…
Study the continuity of the following piecewise function at the point $x = 1$. If there is any discontinuity, classify it by indicating what type it is.
$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 1 & \text{if } x < 1 \\ \ln(x) & \text{if } x \ge 1 \end{cases}$
The inverse of an exponential function
To find an inverse: write $y=f(x)$, swap $x$ and $y$ (or solve for $x$ and then swap), and isolate the new $y$. With an exponential, the last step uses a logarithm.
To prove that two functions are inverses, show that composing them in both orders gives $x$.
Write the analytical expression of the inverse function $f^{-1}(x)$ of the exponential function $f(x) = 10^{x+2} - 5$.
Write the analytical expression 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 analytical expression of the inverse function $t(V)$ and briefly explain what quantity this new function allows to be calculated.
Analyse 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 bisector of the…
Analyse 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 bisector of the first quadrant. Prove analytically that they are inverse functions by calculating the composition $(f \circ g)(x)$ and $(g \circ f)(x)$.
Properties of logarithms
The widget shows $\log(2x)=\log x+\log 2$: doubling the input just shifts the graph up by the constant $\log 2\approx 0.301$.
Using the properties of logarithms, expand the following expression to write it as a sum and difference of simpler logarithms: $\log_5 \left( \frac{25x^3}{y} \right)$
Using the properties of logarithms, expand the following expression to write it as a sum and difference of simpler logarithms:
$\log_5 \left( \frac{25x^3}{y} \right)$
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.
Solving logarithmic equations
The curve $y=\log_2 x+\log_2(x-2)$ meets the line $y=3$ in exactly one point. Let's find it algebraically.
Solve the following logarithmic equation, checking the validity of the solutions obtained: $\log(x + 2) + \log(x - 1) = 1$
Solve the following logarithmic equation, checking the validity of the solutions obtained:
$\log(x + 2) + \log(x - 1) = 1$
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:
$2\log_2(x) - \log_2(x-1) = 3$
Systems with logarithms
Systems combine two ideas you already have: substitution and the log properties. Turn the logarithmic equation into an ordinary algebraic one, then substitute into the other.
Find the values of $x$ and $y$ that satisfy the following system of non-linear 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 non-linear equations:
$\begin{cases} x - y = 9 \\ \log_3(x) + \log_3(y) = 3 \end{cases}$
Solve the following system combining exponential and logarithmic equations, finding the values of $x$ and $y$:…
Solve the following system combining exponential and logarithmic equations, finding the values of $x$ and $y$:
$\begin{cases} 2^x \cdot 4^y = 64 \\ \ln(x) - \ln(y) = \ln(2) \end{cases}$
Logarithmic scales: pH, decibels, Richter
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 take-off 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 seismological scale, the magnitude $M$ of an earthquake is related to the energy released $E$ (in ergs) by the empirical equation $\log(E) = 11,8 + 1,5M$.…
On the Richter seismological 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: each extra point of magnitude multiplies the energy by $10^{1.5}\approx 31.6$, so three points multiply it by $10^{4.5}$, which is tens of thousands, not "a bit more."
Modeling with exponentials and logs
Whenever a quantity grows or decays like $N_0e^{kt}$, the unknown is in the exponent. A logarithm is the tool that brings it down.
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 exactly) 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 $35^\circ\text{C}$.