Logarithmic Functions and Equations

Intended Learning Outcome

1. Define logarithmic functions and sketch the graph of a logarithmic function.
2. Solve logarithmic equations.

Logarithmic Function
Definition

Let a, b, and c be positive real numbers such that b ≠ 1. The logarithm of a with
base b is denoted by 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏a, and is defined as

c = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑎 if and only if 𝑎 = bc

Note:

1. In both the logarithmic and exponential forms, b is the base. In the

exponential form, c is an exponent; this means that the logarithm is actually an
exponent. Hence, logarithmic and exponential functions are inverses.
2. In the logarithmic form 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥, x cannot be negative.
3. The value of 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 can be negative.

Logarithmic Equations and Logarithmic Functions

The definitions of logarithmic equations and logarithmic functions are
shown below.

Logarithmic Equation Logarithmic Function

Definition An equation Function of the form f(x) = log𝑏

involving logarithms. 𝑥 (𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1)

Example log𝑥 2 = 4 g(x) = log3 𝑥

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 A logarithmic equation can be solved for all x values that satisfy the equation. A
logarithmic function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and
y), and can be represented by a table of values or a graph.

Solving Logarithmic Equation

Property of Logarithmic Equations

If b > 1, then the logarithmic function y = log𝑏 𝑥 is increasing for all x. If 0 < b <1,
then the logarithmic function y = log𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing for all x. This means that log𝑏
𝑢 = log𝑏 𝑣 if and only if u = v.
PROPERTIES EXAMPLES

I. logb b  1

II. logb 1  0

III. b b  x
log x

IV. logb 𝑏  x
𝑥

LAWS EXAMPLES
Product Law

I. logb MN  logb M  logb N

Quotient Law
M
log  log M  log N
b b b
II. N
Power Law
III. logb 𝑀  n logb M
𝑛

Techniques. Some strategies for solving logarithmic equations:

1. Rewriting to exponential form;

2. Using logarithmic properties;
3. Applying the one-to-one property of logarithmic functions; and
4. The Zero Factor Property: If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0.

Example 1. Find the value of x in the following logarithmic equations.

a. log5 𝑥 = 4
Solution. log5 𝑥 = 4
x = 54 (change into exponential form)

2
 x = 625
b. log𝑥 36 = 2
Solution. log𝑥 36 = 2
x2 = 36 (change into exponential form)
x – 36 = 0
2

(x+6)(x-6) = 0 (factoring difference of two squares)

x = 6, -6 Note: -6 is not defined in the given logarithmic
equation since the base cannot be negative.
c. log2 𝑥 + log2(𝑥 − 6) = 4
Solution. log2 𝑥 + log2(𝑥 − 6) = 4
log2 𝑥(𝑥 − 6) = 4 (applying law of logarithm)
x (x – 6) = 24 (change into exponential form)
x2 – 6x = 16 (distributive property)
x2 – 6x – 16 = 0 (subtract 16 both sides)
(x-8)(x+2) = 0 (factor)
x = 8,-2
d. log3 6𝑥 = log3 24
Solution. log3 6𝑥 = log3 24
6x = 24 (one-to-one property)
x=4 (divide both sides by 6)

Graph of a Logarithmic Function

Let us begin with the parent function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥. Because every logarithmic
function of this form is the inverse of the exponential function with the form 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑏𝑥, their graphs are reflections of each other across the line y = x, as shown below.

For any real number x and constant b > 0, b ≠ 1, we can see the following
characteristics in the graph f(x)=logbx: one-to-one function; vertical asymptote x = 0;
domain: (0, ∞) and range: (-∞, ∞); x-intercept: (1,0) and key point (b, 1), y-intercept:
none; increasing if b > 1 and decreasing if 0 < b < 1.

Example 1. Sketch the graph of y = log 2x.

Solution:

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by assigning

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 values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log2x is as follows:
1 1 1 1
x 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Now, let us solve x given y = log2 x where y=-4 from the table.

y = log2x Convert into exponential equation

log2x = -4 → by = x You need to rewrite log2x=y in the
form by=x. Here, the base is 2 and the
exponent is -4.
𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → 2−4 = 𝑥 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
exponential equation, bY=x.
x= 1 = 1
Solve for x.
24 16

Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

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Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

Example 2. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

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Solution:
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by assigning
values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as follows:
1 1 1 1
X 16 8 4 2 1
2 4 8 16
Y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Now, let us solve x given 𝑦 = 𝑥 where y=-4 from the table.

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation.
2
𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = −4 → by = x You need to rewrite 𝑥 = 𝑦 in the form
2
by=x. Here, the base is ½ and the
exponent is -4.
1 −4
𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → ( ) =𝑥 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
2
exponential equation, bY=x.
1
x= 1
= 1 = 16 Solve for x.
( 1) 4 ( )

2 16

Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

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Example 3. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔4𝑥 .
Solution:
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by assigning
values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log 4x is as follows:
1 1
x 1 4 16
16 4
y -2 -1 0 1 2
Now, let us solve for x given y = log4 x where y=-2 from the table.

y = log4x Convert into exponential equation.

log4x = -2 → by = x Rewrite log4x=y in the form by=x.
Here, the base is 4 and the exponent
is -2.
𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → 4−2 = 𝑥 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
exponential equation, bY=x.
x= 1 = 1
Solve for x.
42 16

Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

Example 4. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

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Solution:

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by assigning
values for y then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as follows:
1 1
x 16 4 1
4 16
y -2 -1 0 1 2
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Now, let us solve for x given 𝑦 = 𝑥 where y=-2 from the table.

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation

4
𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = −2 → by = x You need to rewrite 𝑥 = 𝑦 in the form
4
by=x. Here, the base is 1
and the
4

exponent is -2.
1 −2
𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → ( ) =𝑥 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
4
exponential equation, bY=x.
1
x= 1
= 1 = 16 Solve for x.
( 1) 2 ( )

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 4 16

Now continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

In addition to the graphs of the logarithmic function, let us also take a look
at how the graph of the parent function y=logbx transform either by shifting to the left
or right, shifting up or down, stretches, and compresses.