Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CE 111 – CALCULUS 1

1. Chapter 8: EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

2. Overview/Introduction

- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

- Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions
- Derivatives of Exponential Functions

3. Learning Outcome/Objective

At the end of the discussion, the student should be able to:

1. Find the derivative of Logarithmic Functions;
2. Find the derivative of Exponential Functions; and;
3. Understand and Apply the Concepts of Differentiating Exponential Functions in
Solving Problems on Growth and Decay

4. Learning Content/Topic

I. EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

A function y is defined by the relation,

(𝟏) 𝑦=𝑎

where 𝑎 is a positive number other than one, is called an exponential function of 𝑥. The
graph, as shown in Figure 130 for 𝑎 > 1, indicates that the function (1) is positive, single-
valued, continuous and asymptotic to the 𝑥 axis. The function also has these properties
when 0 < 𝑎 < 1.

By the definition of a logarithm, the relation (1) is

equivalent to

(𝟐) 𝑥 = log 𝑦

Thus 𝑎 and log 𝑥 are inverse functions, and it follows

that

𝑎 =𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 log 𝑎 = 𝑥

Figure 130

1 |Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 Illustration 1. If 𝑦 = 2 , we may solve for 𝑥 by applying a series of inverse
operations; thus

sin 3𝑥 = log 𝑦
3𝑥 = sin (log 𝑦)
1
𝑥 = sin (log 𝑦)
3

A function y defined by the relation

(𝟑) 𝑦 = log 𝑥

Where 𝑎 is a positive number other than one, is called a logarithmic function of 𝑥. The
graph of (3), as shown in Figure 131, is the reflection of (2) with respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
We see from this graph that the logarithmic function is single-valued, continuous, asymptotic
to the 𝑦 axis, and defined only in the interval 0 < 𝑥 < ∞.

Operation involving logarithms are governed by the

properties listed below:

(a) log(𝑀𝑁) = log 𝑀 + log 𝑁

(b) log(𝑀/𝑁) = log 𝑀 − log 𝑁
(c) log 𝑀 = 𝑛 log 𝑀
(d) log √𝑀 = (1/𝑛) log 𝑀
(e) log 𝑏 = 1
(f) log 1 = 0

Illustration 2. If log 𝑥 = 1 − 3 log 2 +

log 5, by use of the laws of logarithms, we
obtain Figure 131

log 𝑥 = log 10 − log 2 + log √5

and
10√5
log 𝑥 = log
8

hence
5
𝑥 = √5
4

In the next topic, we will find that the differentiation formula for a logarithmic function involves
an irrational number which is denoted by 𝑒 and is defined by the limit

/
𝑒 = lim (1 + 𝑧)
→

A mathematical proof determining the existence of this limit is rather involved, and hence
will be omitted. Nevertheless, the accompanying table of values indicates that the limit does
exist and that approximately 𝑒 = 2.718 …

2 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 z (1 + 𝑧) /

0.1 2.5937
0.01 2.7048
0.001 2.7169
0 ?
-0.001 2.7196
-0.01 2.7320
-0.1 2.8680

In mathematics, two systems of logarithms are particularly important. For computational

work, logarithms having the base 10 are the most convenient to use. These are called
common, or Briggsian loigarithms. For theoretical work, logarithms having the base e are
usually used. These are called natural or Napierian, logarithms. We shall denote the
common logarithm of N by 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝑵 and the natural logarithm by 𝐥𝐧 𝑵. Thus 𝑦 = log 𝑥 means
𝑥 = 10 , whereas 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 means 𝑥 = 𝑒 . The relationship between log 𝑁 and ln 𝑁 can be
determined by taking the common and natural logarithms of the expression 𝑁 = 𝑒 ; thus

log 𝑁 = 𝑥 log 𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ln 𝑁 = 𝑥 ln 𝑒 = 𝑥

Hence, on eliminating x,

log 𝑁 = ln 𝑁 ∙ log 𝑒

and since log 𝑒 = log 2.718 = 0.4343, we obtain

log 𝑁 = 0.4343 ln 𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ln 𝑁 = 2.303 log 𝑁

The coefficient 𝑀 = 0.4343 is called the modulus of common logarithms.

Example I. If 𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑒 , find 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦.

Solution: Multiplying by 𝑒 , we have

𝑒 − 1 = 𝑦𝑒 , 𝑜𝑟 (𝑒 ) − 𝑦(𝑒 ) − 1 = 0

Solving by use of the quadratic formula, we obtain

1
𝑒 = 𝑦+ 𝑦 +4
2

where the root 𝑒 = 𝑦 + 𝑦 + 4 is rejected since 𝑒 is never negative.

Then, by taking logarithms, we find

1
𝑥 = ln 𝑦+ 𝑦 +4
2

Example 2. Show that log √𝑥 + 1 − √𝑥 = − log √𝑥 + 1 + √𝑥

Solution:

3 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 Multiplying the numerator and denominator by √𝑥 + 1 + √𝑥 and making use of
the value log 1 = 0, we have,

(𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥
log √𝑥 + 1 − √𝑥 = log = − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 √𝒙 + 𝟏 + √𝒙
√𝑥 + 1 + √𝑥

Example 3. Sketch a graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑒

Solution:

We first observe that 𝑦 = 0 when 𝑥 = 0, and that

y is positive for all other values of x. Next we
observe that 𝑦 → 0 as 𝑥 → ∞ and 𝑦 → ∞ as 𝑥 →
−∞.

Drawing the curve in accordance with these

characteristics and estimating that 𝑦 = 2.7 when
𝑥 = −1, and 𝑦 = when 𝑥 = 2, we obtain the
Figure 132
graph shown in Figure 132.

II. DERIVATIVES OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

When we apply the four-step rule in finding the derivative to the function 𝑦 = log 𝑥, we get

𝒅 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒆 𝒅𝒖
(𝟐𝟐) 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒖 = ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒖 𝒅𝒙

For natural logarithms, the above formula becomes,

𝒅 𝟏 𝒅𝒖
(𝟐𝟑) 𝐥𝐧 𝒖 = ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒖 𝒅𝒙

Illustration. If 𝑦 = log(2𝑥 + 1), then

𝑑𝑦 log 𝑒 0.8686
= (2) =
𝑑𝑥 2𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 + 1

Illustration. If 𝑦 = ln sin 𝑥, then

𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑 cos 𝑥
= ∙ sin 𝑥 = = cot 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 sin 𝑥

Example. If 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 , find .

Solution: Making use of the properties of logarithms, we may write the given expression
in the form
1 1
𝑦 = 3 ln 𝑥 + ln(𝑥 − 1) − ln(𝑥 + 1)
2 2

4 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 Hence,
𝑑𝑦 3 1 1 3𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3
= + − =
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2(𝑥 − 1) 2(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥(𝑥 − 1)

III. DERIVATIVES OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

𝒅 𝒖 𝒅𝒖
(𝟐𝟒) 𝒂 = 𝒂𝒖 𝐥𝐧 𝒂 ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

For the base e, the above formula becomes

𝒅 𝒖 𝒅𝒖
(𝟐𝟓) 𝒆 = 𝒆𝒖 ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

Illustration. If 𝑦 = 2 then

𝑑𝑦
= (2 )(ln 2)(3) = 2 ln 8
𝑑𝑥

Illustration. If 𝑦 = 𝑒 then
𝑑𝑦
= (𝑒 )(sec 5𝑥)(5) = 5𝑒 sec 5𝑥
𝑑𝑥

To find the derivative of an exponential function of the form 𝑢 where 𝑢 and 𝑣 are both
functions of 𝑥, we differentiate the logarithm of the function.

Illustration. If 𝑦 = 𝑥 , then ln 𝑦 = 𝑥 ln 𝑥. Differentiating, we obtain

1 𝑑𝑦 1
= (1)(ln 𝑥) + 𝑥
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥 (1 + ln 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

To work involved in differentiating an algebraic function is often simpler if logarithms are

used.

( ) / ( ) /
Example. Find dy/dx if 𝑦 =
( )

Solution: taking natural logarithms, we have

3 1
ln 𝑦 = ln(𝑥 − 1) + ln(𝑥 − 3) − 2 ln(𝑥 − 2)
2 2

Differentiating, we obtain

1 𝑑𝑦 3 1 2
= + −
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 2(𝑥 − 1) 2(𝑥 − 3) 𝑥 − 2
1 𝑑𝑦 3(𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 6) + (𝑥 3𝑥 + 2) − 4(𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 3)
=
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 2(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)

5 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 1 𝑑𝑦 𝑥−4
=−
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)

Multiplying both sides by y and simplifying, we find

𝑑𝑦 (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 4)
=−
𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 2)

A situation frequently encountered in certain problems of biology, chemistry, and economics

is one in which the rate of change of a substance with respect to time is proportional to the
amount of the substance present at a given time. Such is the case, for example in
considering the decomposition of a radioactive substance or the growth of bacteria culture
under ideal circumstances.

If the positive function 𝑓(𝑡) represents the amount of substance present at time 𝑡, the
preceding law can be stated mathematically as

(1) 𝑓 (𝑡) = 𝑘 𝑓(𝑡)

Where k is a constant and 𝑡 ≥ 0. The function 𝑓(𝑡) can be determined explicitly by writing
(1) in the form
𝑓 (𝑡)
= 𝑘, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ln 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑐
𝑓(𝑡)

By finding the antilogarithm if this latter expression, we obtain

(𝟐) 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝐴𝑒

Where 𝐴 = 𝑒 is a positive constant.

If the constant 𝑘 is positive, the function 𝑓(𝑡) increases in what is called an exponential law
of growth. If 𝑘 is negative, 𝑓(𝑡) decreases in what is called an exponential law of decay.

Example. If the half life of radium is 1600 years and we start with 100 milligrams, find
the amount of radium remaining after t years.

Solution:
To say that the half life of radium is 1600 years means that half of the original amount
or 50 milligrams will remain after 1600 years.

Thus, by substitution in (2), we find

100 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 50 = 𝐴𝑒

Hence 𝐴 = 100, and from 𝑒 = we have

1
1600 𝑘 = ln ;
2
Therefore,

6 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 − ln 2
𝑘= = −0.00043
1600
This gives
.
𝑓(𝑡) = 100𝑒

as the law of decay for the given quantity of radium.

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

EXERCISES
Solve for x in each of the following:
1. log 𝑥 = − 8. (0.015) = (0.34)
9. ln 𝑥 = 1 + 2 ln 2
2. ln 𝑥 = 3
3. log 𝑥 = 2 − log 2 10. ln ln 𝑥 = 1

4. log 𝑥 = 0 11. 4 ln tan 𝑥=1

12. ln sin 𝑥 = 1 + ln cos 𝑥
5. 2 = 4
13. 𝑒 − 5𝑒 =4
6. 𝑒 = 3
14. 2 + 4 = 8
7. 3 =5
15. 4 + 4 =4
In each of the following, solve for 𝒙 in terms of 𝒚.
16. 𝑦 = 𝑒 21. 𝑦 = ln sin 𝑥
17. 𝑦 = 10 22. 𝑦 = tan (log 2𝑥)

18. 𝑦 = 𝑒 23. 𝑦 = (𝑒 + 𝑒 )
19. 𝑦 = log 3𝑥 24. 𝑦 = tan 𝑒 + cot 𝑒
20. 𝑦 = ln 9𝑥 25. 𝑦 = 𝑒 − 3𝑒 + 3𝑒
Differentiate each of the following functions
26. ln(𝑥 − 1) 35. ln ln 𝑥
27. log (𝑥 + 3𝑥) 36. 𝑒
28. ln √2𝑥 − 5 37. 3

29. ln 𝑥 √𝑥 + 1 38. 𝑒

30. log 39. 𝑥 𝑒

31. ln 𝑥 + √𝑥 + 1 40.

32. ln 41. (1 − 𝑎 )
42. 𝑒 (𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 2)
( )
33. ln
( ) 43. 𝑒 cos 5𝑥
34. log(𝑥 sin 𝑥) 44. 𝑒

7 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

 45. 𝑒 50. 𝑥 𝑒
51. 𝑥 𝑒
46.
52. 𝑥
53. (cos 𝑥)
47. ln
54. (sin 𝑥)
48. ln sin 𝑒
55. √𝑥 + 1/ √𝑥 + 2
49. tan 2

56. In the chemical processing of a certain mineral, the rate of change of the amount of
mineral present varies as the amount of the mineral remaining. If, after 8 hours, 100
pounds of mineral have been reduced to 70 pounds, what quantity of the mineral will
remain after 24 hours?
57. If in a certain city the rate of increase on population is proportional to the population at
any time, and if in the last ten years the population is increased from 100,000 to
120,000, what will be the population of the city ten years from now?

6. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adapted

Example:
Edmodo, google classroom, module, case study, exercises, problem sets, etc.

7. Assessment Task

Assessment Task will be a 30-point quiz covering the topics discussed in this module.
In addition, a long exam will be given at the end of the term

8. References (Copyrighted within the last 10 years)

This contains the list of references/readings which students can explore.

Love, C.E. Ph.D, Rainville E.D. Ph.D. Differential and Integral Calculus.
MACMILLAN PUBLISHING CO., INC.

Peterson, T.S. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Ken Incorporated, Quezon City

8 | Calculus 1 – Module 8: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions