Back to homeMathematics · Precalculus · Change subject
Start for free
Precalculus · Mathematics
Functions · Common Types of Functions

Logarithmic Functions

Before you start, make sure you know: Logarithms (Algebra 2)
Before you start, make sure you know: Exponential functions (Algebra 1)

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.

Practice★☆☆Not started
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:

$\log_2(3x + 1) = 4$

Solve

Domain, range, and vertical asymptote

Graph of y = log base 2 of x: it passes through (1, 0), rises slowly to the right, and drops toward negative infinity along the vertical asymptote x = 0. vertical asymptote: x = 0 (1, 0) Domain: (0, ∞) Range: all reals

To find the domain of a more complicated function, set the argument (the stuff inside the log) greater than $0$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Determine the domain of definition of the logarithmic function $f(x) = \log_3(2x - 8)$.

Determine the domain of definition of the logarithmic function $f(x) = \log_3(2x - 8)$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
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.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
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.

Solve

Graph: increasing or decreasing, and intercepts

Two logarithmic curves: for base greater than 1 the curve increases, for base between 0 and 1 it decreases. Both pass through (1, 0) and share the asymptote x = 0. (1, 0) b > 1: increasing 0 < b < 1: decreasing

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).

Practice★☆☆Not started
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 $h(4)$.

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
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 $g(x) = \ln(x - 2)$.

Solve

Transformations of logarithmic graphs

Practice★☆☆Not started
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 $g(x) = \ln(x+2) - 3$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
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.

X Y x = −2 f(x)
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
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 $(2, 0)$.

Solve

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.

A piecewise graph: a parabola x squared minus 1 for x less than 1 and the curve ln x for x at least 1, meeting at the point (1, 0). y = x² − 1 (x < 1) y = ln x (x ≥ 1)
Practice★★☆Not started
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.

$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 1 & \text{if } x < 1 \\ \ln(x) & \text{if } x \ge 1 \end{cases}$

Solve

The inverse of an exponential function

Graphs of y = 2 to the x and y = log base 2 of x, mirror images across the dashed line y = x, with points (0, 1) and (1, 0). y = x y = 2ˣ y = log₂x (0, 1) (1, 0)

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 $x$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
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 $f(x) = 10^{x+2} - 5$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
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.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
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 $(g \circ f)(x)$.

X Y y = x f(x) g(x)
Solve

Properties of logarithms

The widget shows $\log(2x)=\log x+\log 2$: doubling the input just shifts the graph up by the constant $\log 2\approx 0.301$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
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:

$\log_5 \left( \frac{25x^3}{y} \right)$

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
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

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.

Practice★★☆Not started
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
Practice★★★Not started
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:

$2\log_2(x) - \log_2(x-1) = 3$

Solve

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.

Practice★★☆Not started
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
Practice★★★Not started
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 $y$:

$\begin{cases} 2^x \cdot 4^y = 64 \\ \ln(x) - \ln(y) = \ln(2) \end{cases}$

Solve

Logarithmic scales: pH, decibels, Richter

A number line marked at powers of ten: 10 to the 0, 10 cubed, 10 to the 6, 10 to the 9, and 10 to the 12. Each equal step multiplies the value by 1,000. 10⁰ 10³ 10⁶ 10⁹ 10¹² each equal step = multiply by 1,000
Practice★☆☆Not started
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 $[H^+] = 10^{-3,2}$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
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 $\text{W/m}^2$?

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
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 $5,0$.

Solve

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.

Practice★★★Not started
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.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
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 $35^\circ\text{C}$.

Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section