Tutorial 5

Logarithm & Exponential

Functions and
Applications

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 Outline
 Exponential Functions
 The Exponential Function ex
 Differentiation of Exponential Functions
 The Natural Logarithm Function
 The Derivative ln x
 Properties of the Natural Logarithm Function
 Exponential Growth and Decay
 Applications of the Natural Logarithm Function

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Exponential Function

Definition Example
Exponential Function: A
function whose exponent is the
y 3 x
independent variable

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Properties of Exponential Functions

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Simplifying Exponential Expressions
EXAMPLE

Write each function in the form 2kx or 3kx, for a suitable constant
k. x2
25 x 1
1
(a)   (b)
 81  2  2 x

SOLUTION

(a) We notice that 81 is divisible by 3. And through investigation we recognize

that 81 = 34. Therefore, we get

 
x2 x2
1 1
   4   3
4 x 2
 3 4 x 2   3 2 x.
 81  3 
(b) We first simplify the denominator and then combine the numerator via the
base of the exponents, 2. Therefore, we get
25 x 1 25 x 1 5 x 1  1 x  6x
x
 1 x
 2  2 .
22 2
MT129 – Calculus
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Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Graphs of Exponential Functions

Notice that, no matter what b is (except 1), the graph of y = bx has a y-intercept
of 1. Also, if 0 < b < 1, the function is decreasing. If b > 1, then the function is
increasing.

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© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Solving Exponential Equations
EXAMPLE

Solve the following equation for x:

 2  3x  5x  4  5x  0
SOLUTION

 2  3x  5 x  4  5 x  0 This is the given equation.

5 x   2  3 x   4  0 Factor.

5x  6  3x  0 Simplify.

5x  0 6  3x  0 Since 5x and 6 – 3x are being

multiplied, set each factor
equal to zero.

x2 5x ≠ 0.

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  2  3x  5x  4  5x  0

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The Number e

Definition Example
e: An irrational number,
approximately equal to
2.718281828… , f ( x)  e x
such that the function f (x) = bx
has a slope of 1, at x = 0, when
b=e

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The Derivatives of bx and ex

 ln b

MT129 – Calculus
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© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Solving Exponential Equations
EXAMPLE
ex
Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y  at (0, 1).
xe x

SOLUTION

We must first find the derivative function and then find the value of the
derivative at (0, 1). Then we can use the point-slope form of a line to find the
desired tangent line equation.
ex
y This is the given function.
x  ex
d d  ex 
 y    Differentiate.
dx dx  x  e x

d d
dy
 x  ex  ex  ex  x  ex 
 dx dx Use the quotient rule.
dx  x  ex 2
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 ex
Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y  at (0, 1).
xe x

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Solving Exponential Equations
CONTINUE
D
dy  x  e x  e x  e x 1  e x 
 Simplify.
dx  x  ex 2
dy e x   x  e x   1  e x  
 Factor.
dx  x  ex 2
dy e x  x  1
 Simplify the numerator.
dx  x  e x 
2

Now we evaluate the derivative at x = 0.

dy e x  x  1 e0  0  1 1  1 1
   2   1
dx x 0  x  e x   0  e   0  1 1
2 0 2
x 0

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Solving Exponential Equations
CONTINUE
D
Now we know a point on the tangent line, (0, 1), and the slope of that line, −1.
We will now use the point-slope form of a line to determine the equation of the
desired tangent line.

y  y1  m x  x1  This is the point-slope form of

a line.
y  1  1 x  0 (x1, y1) = (0, 1) and m = −1.

y  x  1 Simplify.

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Chain Rule for eg(x)

e.g.
d x3  4 x 5
dx
e e x3  4 x 5

 3x 2  4 

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Chain Rule for eg(x)
EXAMPLE

Differentiate.

g ( x)  e 2 x
 2x  3

SOLUTION

  2x
g ( x)  e 2 x 3
This is the given function.

g ( x)  3e  2 x    e  2 x  2 x 
2 x 2 d
Use the chain rule.
dx


g ( x)  3 e 2 x
 d
2 d 
 2 x   e2 x  2 x
 dx dx 
Remove parentheses.

g ( x)  3 e 2 x
2
 2 x  2e  2 x  2  Use the chain rule for
exponential functions.

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Functions of the form ekx

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The Natural Logarithm of x

Definition Example
Natural logarithm of x: Given
the graph of y = ex, the
reflection of that graph about
the line y = x, denoted y = ln x

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© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
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© 2010 Pearson Education Inc. Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Properties of the Natural Logarithm

• The point (1, 0) is on the graph of y = ln x [because (0, 1) is on the

graph of y = ex].
• ln x is defined only for positive values of x.
• ln x is negative for x between 0 and 1.
• ln x is positive for x greater than 1.
• ln x is an increasing function and concave down.

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Exponential Expressions
EXAMPLE

Simplify
eln 3 2 ln x
SOLUTION

Using properties of the exponential function, we

have ln 3
ln 3 2 ln x e 3 3
e  2 ln x  2
 2.
e eln x x

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Solving Exponential Equations
EXAMPLE
Solve for x the equation
e 
x 2
 e23 x  4
SOLUTION

e  x 2
 e2 3 x  4 This is the given equation.
e 2 x  e2 3 x  4 Remove the parentheses.
2 x   2 3 x  Combine the
e 4 exponential expressions.
e2 x  4 Add.
 
ln e 2  x  ln 4 Take the logarithm of both sides.
2  x  ln 4 Simplify.
x  2  ln 4 Finish solving for x.

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Solving Logarithmic Equations
EXAMPLE

Solve for x the equation

5 ln 2 x  8
SOLUTION

5 ln 2 x  8 This is the given equation.

ln 2 x  1.6 Divide both sides by 5.

2 x  e1.6 Rewrite in exponential

e1.6 form.
x  2.477 Divide both sides by 2.
2

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Common Logarithms

Definition Example
Common logarithm:
Logarithms to the base 10 log10 100  2
log10 1000  3
log10 10,000  4

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Max’s & Min’s of Exponential Equations
EXAMPLE

The graph of f ( x)  1   x  1 e x is shown in the figure below. Find the

2

coordinates of the maximum and minimum points.

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Max’s & Min’s of Exponential Equations
CONTINUE
D
At the maximum and minimum points, the graph will have a slope of zero.
Therefore, we must determine for what values of x the first derivative is zero.
f ( x)  1   x  1 2 e x This is the given function.
d
f ( x)  e x   x  1 2  x  1 2  d e x Differentiate using the product
dx dx rule.
f ( x)  e x  2 x  1   x  1 2 e x Finish differentiating.

f ( x)  e x  x  1  2   x  1  Factor.

0  e x  x  1  2   x  1  Set the derivative equal to 0.

ex  0 x 1  0 2  x 1  0 Set each factor equal to 0.

e x  0 x  1 x  1 Simplify.

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Max’s & Min’s of Exponential Equations
CONTINUE
D
Therefore, the slope of the function is 0 when x = 1 or x = −1. By looking at the
graph, we can see that the relative maximum will occur when x = −1 and that
the relative minimum will occur when x = 1.

Now we need only determine the corresponding y-

coordinates.
f (1)  1  1  1 2 e1  1  0  e  1

f (1)  1    1  1 e
2 1
 1 
  2 2 4
 1   0.472
e e
Therefore, the relative maximum is at (1, 0.472) and the relative minimum is
at (1, 1).

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Derivative Rules for Natural Logarithms

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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
EXAMPLE

Differentiate.
lne 2x
1 2

SOLUTION

lne  1
2x 2
This is the given expression.

 ln e  1 
d  2x  2
Differentiate.
dx  

2 ln  e  1  ln  e 
2x d 2x
1 Use the power rule.
dx

 1
2 ln e 2 x  1 
2x
 
e  1 dx
d 2x
e 1   Differentiate ln[g(x)].

2x

1
2 ln e  1  2 x
e 1
 2e 2 x Finish.

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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
EXAMPLE

The function f (x) – (ln x + 1) / x has a relative extreme point for x > 0. Find
the coordinates of the point. Is it a relative maximum point?
SOLUTION

f ( x)   ln x  1 / x This is the given function.

1
x    ln x  1  1 Use the quotient rule to
f ( x)  x
x2 differentiate.

ln x
f ( x)   Simplify.
x2
ln x
0 2 Set the derivative equal to 0.
x

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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
CONTINUE
D
The derivative will equal 0 when the numerator equals 0 and the denominator
does not equal 0.

0  ln x Set the numerator equal to

0.
x  e0  1 Write in exponential form.

To determine whether the function has a relative maximum at x = 1, let’s use

the second derivative.
ln x
f ( x)   This is the first derivative.
x2
1
 x 2   ln x  (2)
f ( x)  x Differentiate.
x 
2 2

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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
CONTINUE
D
 x  2 x ln x
f ( x)  Simplify.
x4
 1  2 ln x
f ( x)  Factor and cancel.
x3
 1  2 ln1  1  2  0 Evaluate the second derivative
f (1)  3
  1
1 1 at x = 1.

Since the value of the second derivative is negative at x = 1, the function is

concave down at x = 1. Therefore, the function does indeed have a relative
maximum at x = 1. To find the y-coordinate of this point

f (1)   ln1  1 / 1   0  1 / 1  1.
So, the relative maximum occurs at (1, 1).

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Properties of the Natural Logarithm Function

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Simplifying Logarithmic Expressions
EXAMPLE
1
Write 5 ln x  ln y  3 ln z as a single logarithm.
2
SOLUTION
1
5 ln x  ln y  3 ln z This is the given expression.
2
ln x5  ln y1 2  ln z 3 Use LIV (this must be done
first).
x5
ln 1 2  ln z 3 Use LIII.
y
 x5 3 
ln 1 2 z  Use LI.
y 
 x5 z 3 
ln 1 2  Simplify.
 y 
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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
EXAMPLE

Differentiate.  x  x  1 2  x  2  3 
ln  
 4x  1 
SOLUTION
 x  x  1 2  x  2  3 
ln   This is the given expression.
 4 x  1 
 
ln x  x  1 2  x  2  3  ln 4 x  1 Rewrite using LIII.

ln x  ln x  1 2  ln x  2  3  ln 4 x  1 Rewrite using LI.

1
ln x  2 ln  x  1  3 ln x  2  ln  4 x  1 Rewrite using LIV.
2
d 1 
ln x  2 ln  x  1  3 ln  x  2   ln  4 x  1 Differentiate.
dx  2 

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Differentiating Logarithmic Expressions
CONTINUE
D
d 1  d d d
 ln x     
2 ln x  1   3 ln x  2   ln 4 x  1  Distribute.
  
dx  2  dx dx dx
1 1 1 1 1
 2 3  4 Finish differentiating.
2 x x 1 x  2 4x  1
1 2 3 4
   Simplify.
2x x  1 x  2 4x  1

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Logarithmic Differentiation

Definition Example
Logarithmic Differentiation: Given a
function y = f (x), take the natural
logarithm of both sides of the equation,
use logarithmic rules to break up the right
side of the equation into any number of Example will follow.
factors, differentiate each factor, and
finally solving for the desired derivative.

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Logarithmic Differentiation
EXAMPLE

Use logarithmic differentiation to differentiate the

function.
f ( x) 
 x  2  3  x  3 4
 x  4 5
SOLUTION

f ( x) 
 x  2  3  x  3 4
This is the given function.
 x  4 5
  x  2 3  x  3 4 
ln f ( x)  ln   Take the natural logarithm of
  x  4 5
 both sides of the equation.

  
ln f ( x)  ln  x  2 3  x  3 4  ln  x  4  5 Use LIII.

ln f ( x)  ln x  2    ln  x  3   ln  x  4  

3 4 5
Use LI.

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Logarithmic Differentiation
CONTINUE
D
ln f ( x)  3 ln x  2  4 ln x  3  5 ln x  4 Use LIV.
d f  x  3 4 5
 ln f ( x)     Differentiate.
dx f  x x  2 x  3 x  4

  3 4 5 
f ( x)  f ( x)    Solve for f ΄(x).
 x 2 x 3 x  4


f ( x) 
 x  2  3  x  3 4  3

4

5 
  Substitute for f (x).
 x  4 5
 x  2 x 3 x  4

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Working With Differential Equations

Generally speaking, a differential equation is an equation that contains

a derivative.

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Solving Differential Equations
EXAMPLE
1
Determine all solutions of the differential 
y  y.
equation
3
SOLUTION
1

The equation y  y has the form y΄ = ky with k = 1/3. Therefore, any
3
solution of the equation has the form
1
x
y  Ce 3

where C is a constant.

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Solving Differential Equations at Initial Values
EXAMPLE

Determine all functions y = f (x) such that y΄ = 3y and f (0) = ½.

SOLUTION

The equation y  3 y has the form y΄ = ky with k = 3. Therefore,

f ( x)  Ce3 x
for some constant C. We also require that f (0) = ½. That
is,
1
 f (0)  Ce30  Ce 0  C.
2
So C = ½ and
1
f ( x)  e3x .
2

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth

Definition Example
Exponential Growth: A quantity,
such that, at every instant the rate of
increase of the quantity is P(t )  3  e4t
proportional to the amount of the
quantity at that instant

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Decay

Definition Example
Exponential Decay: A quantity, such
that, at every instant the rate of
decrease of the quantity is P(t )  3  e 4t
proportional to the amount of the
quantity at that instant

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

EXAMPLE

A 50 mg dose of quinine is given to a patient to prevent malaria. The quinine

remaining in the body t hours after taking the dose satisfies the differential
equation Q′ (t) = −0.06Q (t).
a)Find a formula for the amount Q of quinine in the body t hours after the dose
is given.
b)How much quinine in the body after 24 hours?
c)How long will it take for the quinine in the body to reach 10 mg?
d)What is the half-life of the quinine in the body?

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

SOLUTION

a) Q (t )  50e  0.06t

b) Q(24)  50e 0.06  24  11 .8mg

ln 0.2
c) 10  50e 0.06t  0.2  e 0.06t  t   26.8 hours
 0.06

 0. 06t  0. 06t ln 0.5

d) 25  50e  0.5  e t   11 .5 hours
 0.06

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application
EXAMPLE

The world’s population was 5.51 billion on January 1, 1993 and 5.88 billion
on January 1, 1998. Assume that at any time the population grows at a rate
proportional to the population at that time. In what year will the world’s
population reach 7 billion?
SOLUTION

The year 1993 will be the year t = 0 and the population at time t = 0 is 5.51
(measured in billions). Therefore, the year 1998 will be year t = 5 and the
population at time t = 5 is 5.88 (measured in billions).
Since the population grows at a rate proportional to the size of the population,
we can use the exponential growth model P(t) = P0ekt to describe the population
of the world. Since P0 is the initial quantity, P0 = 5.51. Therefore, our formula
becomes kt
P (t )  5.51e .

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application
CONTINUE
D
Now we use the other given information (5.88 billion in 1998) to determine k.
P(5)  5.88  5.51ek 5 When t = 5, the population is
1.07  e k 5 5.88 billion people.
ln1.07  5k Rewrite in logarithmic form.
0.013  k Solve for k.
Therefore, our formula to model this situation is P t   5.51e0.013t .
Now we can determine when the world’s population will be 7 billion.
7  5.51e 0.013 t Replace P(t) with 7.
1.27  e0.013 t Divide.
ln1.27  0.013t Rewrite in logarithmic form.
18.36  t Solve for t.
Therefore, the world’s population will be 7 billion people about 18.36 years
after our initial year, 1993. That is, around the year 2011.
MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application
EXAMPLE

Radium-226 is used in cancer radiotherapy, as a neutron source for some

research purposes, and as a constituent of luminescent paints. Let P(t) be the
number of grams of radium-226 in a sample remaining after t years, and
suppose that P(t) satisfies the differential equation
P(t )  0.00043P (t ), P(0)  12.

(a) Find the formula for

P(t).
(b) What was the initial amount?
(c) What is the decay constant?
(d) Approximately how much of the radium will remain after 943 years?
(e) How fast is the sample disintegrating when just one gram remains? Use the
differential equation.

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

CONTINUE
D
(f) What is the weight of the sample when it is disintegrating at the rate of 0.004
grams per year?
(g) The radioactive material has a half-life of about 1612 years. How much will
remain after 1612 years? 3224 years?
SOLUTION

(a) Since the function y = Cekt satisfies the differential equation y΄ = ky,
the function P(t) = Cekt = Ce-0.00043t (where k = -0.00043).

Since for the function y = Cekt, C is always the initial quantity (at time t = 0),
C = 12 (since P(0) = 12). Therefore, our function is

P(t )  12e 0.00043 t .

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

CONTINUE
D
(b) We were given P(0) = 12. Therefore the initial amount is 12 grams.

(c) Since our exponential decay function is P (t )  12e 0.00043 t , the decay
constant, being the coefficient of t, is 0.00043.

(d) To determine approximately how much of the radium will remain after 943
years, we will evaluate the function at t = 943.

P (t )  12e 0.00043 t This is the decay function.

P (943)  12e  0.00043 943 Evaluate the function at t = 943.
P(943)  8 Simplify.

Therefore, after 943 years, there will be approximately 8 grams

remaining.

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

CONTINUE
D
(e) To determine how fast the sample is disintegrating when just one gram
remains, we must first recognize that this is a situation concerning the rate
of change of a quantity, namely the rate at which the radium is
disintegrating. This of course involves the derivative function. This
function was given to us and is P(t )  0.00043P (t ) . Now we will
determine the value of the derivative function at P(t) = 1 (when one gram
remains).
P(t )  0.00043P(t ) This is the derivative function.
P(t )  0.000431  0.00043 Replace P(t) with 1.

So, when there is just one gram remaining, the radium is disintegrating at a rate
of 0.00043 grams/year.
(f) To determine the weight of the sample when it is disintegrating at the rate of
0.004 grams per year, we must determine P(t) when P΄(t) = −0.004.

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,
Exponential Growth & Decay in Application

CONTINUE
D
P(t )  0.00043P (t ) This is the derivative function.
 0.004  0.00043P(t ) Replace P΄(t) with −0.004.
9.3  P(t ) Solve for P(t).
So, the weight of the sample when it is disintegrating at the rate of 0.004 grams
per year, is 9.3 grams.

(g) To determine how much of the radium will remain after 1612 years, that is
one half-life, we will simply recognize that after one half-life, half of the
original amount of radium will be disintegrated. That is, 12/2 = 6 grams will
be disintegrated and therefore 6 grams will remain.
After 3224 years, two half-lives, half of what was remaining at the end of the
first 1612 years (6 grams) will remain. That is, 6/2 = 3 grams. These results
can be verified using the formula for P(t).

MT129 – Calculus
© 2010 Pearson and
Education Inc.Probability Goldstein/Schneider/Lay/Asmar, CALCULUS AND ITS APPLICATIONS,