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4.4 Computations with Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 227

Exercises 56–57 Maximum Value (a) For what val- 61. Explore For what integer values (positive and nega-
ue(s) of x is y equal to 36 (one decimal place)? (b) What tive) of c will the graphs of y 5 cx 2 3 and y 5 2x 1 6
value of x will give a maximum value of y? What is the intersect at (a) exactly one point? (b) two points?
maximum value? (Hint: The window @0, 300# 3 @0, 60# 62. Explore What is the smallest prime number c for
should give you a start.) which the graph of y 5 cx 2 5 will intersect the graph
56. y 5 4 1 xe20.01x of y 5 3x 1 5 at exactly two points?
57. y 5 6 1 x · 320.01x 63. Your Choice Give a formula for a linear function f
58. Maximum Concentration The concentration C of a (with nonzero slope) that satisfies the specified condi-
drug in the bloodstream at t minutes after injection is tions.
given by (a) The graphs of f and y 5 ln x intersect in Quadrant I
C 5 0.036te20.015t mgycm3. and Quadrant IV.
(b) The graphs of f and y 5 e x intersect in Quadrant I
(a) In how many minutes will the concentration reach and Quadrant II.
0.6 mg/cm3?
(b) How many minutes after injection will the concen- 64. Your Choice From the family of functions f ~x! 5
tration be the greatest? What is the maximum con- c ln~kx!, where c and k are nonzero constants, select c
centration? See Example 11. and k so that f satisfies the specified condition.
(a) The graph of f intersects the graph of y 5 2x 2 4
59. True or False Draw graphs to support your answer. at two points.
Assume that L is a line. (b) The graphs of f and of y 5 x 1 4 intersect in Q II.
(a) If L and the graph of y 5 ln x intersect at two
points, then the slope of L must be positive. Exercises 65–66 Is It a Function? Explain what you
(b) If L and the graph of y 5 e2x intersect at two observe when you graph the equation.
points, then the slope of L must be positive. 65. y 5 ln~2x 2 1 2x 2 3!
60. Explore For what integer values (positive and nega- 66. y 5 ln~x 2 3! 1 ln~2 2 x!
tive) of c will the graphs of y 5 1 1 xc and y 5 ln x
intersect at (a) exactly one point? (b) two points?

4.4 COMPUTATIONS WITH LOGARITHMIC

AND EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Galileo’s observation that all bodies accelerate equally in the Earth’s gravity is
counterintuitive precisely because it is usually wrong. Everybody knows that a
lump of coal falls faster than a feather. Galileo’s genius was in spotting that
the differences which occur in reality are an incidental complication caused by
air resistance, and are irrelevant to the properties of gravity as such.
P. W. C. Davies

Because logarithms are exponents, evaluation in exact form is possible only in

special cases. We can, for example, evaluate log3(9Ï3) in exact form because 9Ï3
is a power of the base 3:
5
9Ï3 5 35y2, so log3 9Ï3 5 .
2
More generally, we need assistance to approximate logarithms. This section
covers the use of calculators to evaluate logarithmic and exponential functions
to any base. All scientific calculators are programmed to evaluate the natural
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228 Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

exponential function, f ~x! 5 e x, and its inverse, the natural logarithm function
f 2~x! 5 ln x. As we will see, these functions are sufficient to handle calculator
evaluation for exponential and logarithmic functions with any base.
I was in the ninth grade
of Powell Junior High Change of Base and Evaluating Logarithms in Other Bases
School in Washington, D.C.
I was doing very poorly in As observed in the previous section graphing calculators have an exponentiation
my first course in algebra. key, 5 `
7 or 5yx , that allows us to evaluate exponential expressions or to graph
7
To be precise, I was exponential functions for any given base. In contrast, there is no built-in logarithm
flunking. Later on, after
recovering from my poor
key that directly evaluates logarithms for any bases except e ~ 5 N ! and 10 ~ 5
L7 og !.
l7

start in algebra, I began to Fortunately, there is a simple change-of-base formula that allows us to evaluate any
get top marks. I was good logarithmic function by means of the natural logarithm function, ln x. To evaluate
in math and science in high log3 4, we can express the relationship y 5 log3 4 in exponential form, (by equiv-
school. alence Equation (1)), then apply the natural logarithm function to both sides and
George B. Dantzig
solve for y. The same steps work for any base b, as follows:
y 5 log3 4 y 5 logb c
3y 5 4 by 5 c By EQ1
ln 3y 5 ln 4 ln b y 5 ln c Applying ln function
y ln 3 5 ln 4 y ln b 5 ln c By L3
ln 4 ln c
y5 y5 Solving for y
ln 3 ln b
ln 4
Thus we have log3 4 5 < 1.2619, and we have a general formula for evaluat-
ln 3
ing any logarithmic function.
Change-of-base formula
ln c
For any positive real numbers c and b where b is not 1, logb c 5 .
ln b

The change-of-base formula allows us to evaluate logarithmic functions for any

base, including base 10, so that 5og is not really necessary.
l7

cEXAMPLE 1 Evaluating logarithms Find an approximation rounded off

to four decimal places.
(a) log5 0.43 (b) log8~1 1 Ï3! (c) log 79.442
Solution
Use the change-of-base formula.
ln 0.43
(a) log5 0.43 5 < 20.5244.
ln 5
ln~1 1 Ï3!
(b) log8 ~1 1 Ï3! 5 < 0.4833.
ln 8
(c) With no base shown, log 79.442 refers to the common logarithm (base 10). Use
5 l7
og directly if your calculator has such a key, or use the change-of-base
formula.
ln 79.442
log 79.442 5 < 1.9001.
ln 10
Check each of the above computations using your calculator. b
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4.4 Computations with Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 229

There are many occasions when we have functions given by two different formulas
and we want to determine whether the functions are identical. A graphing calcula-
tor can be very helpful in this regard, and there are at least three convenient
methods.

TECHNOLOGY TIP r Graphing identical functions

We want to determine whether two functions, f and g, are identical.

• Method 1 Plot the graphs of y 5 f ~x! and y 5 g~x! on the same
screen. The advantage and disadvantage of this method is that you see
only one graph. Differences in domain may not be apparent. To check,
trace along the curve, using the up or down arrows to jump from one
curve to the other, and watch the y-coordinates.
• Method 2 Translate one graph up or down by some constant, say 1 or
0.5. That is, plot the graphs of y 5 f ~x! and y 5 g~x! 1 .5 on the same
screen. If the functions are identical, the graphs will differ by the same
amount all the way across the screen.
• Method 3 Shift the graph of f 2 g so that the difference is visible on
the screen. Plotting y 5 f ~x! 2 g~x! 1 1 will yield the horizontal line
y 5 1, which can also be checked by tracing (or replace 1 by any other
constant).

cEXAMPLE 2 Verifying the change of base formula Use graphs to sup-

port the claim that the functions f ~x! 5 log x and g~x! 5 ln xyln 10 are identical.

Solution
Following the suggestions in the Technology Tip above, we enter Y1 5 LOG X and
Y2 5 LN X/LN 10 . We can graph both Y1 and Y2 on the same screen and see a single
logarithm function, or we can graph Y1 and Y2 1 1 (for Method 2), or Y3 5 Y1 2 Y2 1 1
(for Method 3). By whichever method we choose, the calculator shows that, at least
to calculator accuracy, the functions are identical. b

Using Inverse Function Identities

Restating the inverse function identities in terms of the natural exponential func-
tion and the natural logarithmic function is useful as a reminder of relations that
can simplify much of our work.
If f is the natural exponential function, f ~x! 5 e x, then f 21~x! 5 ln x. Since
f ~ f ~x!! 5 x for all x in the domain of f 21 and f 21~ f ~x!! 5 x for all x in the
21

domain of f , we have two identities.

Inverse function identities

e ln x 5 x for all positive numbers x. (1)
ln e x 5 x for all real numbers x. (2)
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230 Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

HISTORICAL NOTE INVENTION OF LOGARITHMS

As the need for more accuracy in for accuracy ~N 5 10,000,000!
trigonometric computations grew and calculated a hundred terms in
(see the Historical Note, a geometric sequence, successively
1
Trigonometric Tables in subtracting 10,000,000 of each number
Section 5.3), so did the need for from the one before, and rounding
better ways to do the arithmetic. each to 14 digits.
Logarithms have been called “the This produced one table of
most universally useful exponents. If he had simply
mathematical discovery of the continued with this sequence, it
seventeenth century.” They would have required years of
significantly reduced the time calculation just to get from
required to perform computations 10 million to 5 million, producing
and may have been as important for an unusable table with nearly 7
the exploration of the globe as any million entries. Napier’s genius lay
improvement in marine technology in his construction of other tables
in two hundred years. to allow interpolation between
One basic idea motivated the numbers. Rather than millions of
development of logarithms: to entries, his second table had only
multiply powers of the same base, 50 entries, and the third had fewer
simply add exponents. For example, than 1500. A user would locate a
to multiply 16 by 64, use tables to pair of exponents from the first
identify equivalent numbers 24 and two tables and then use the third
26, from which table to compute the logarithm.
After his logarithms of
16 · 64 5 2 · 2 5 2
4 6 416
Part of a page from Napier’s numbers, Napier produced a table
5 210 5 1024. Logarithmic Tables. to give seven-place logarithms of
To be useful, of course, tables must sines of angles for every minute
identify the exponents of all the numbers we from 08 to 908. Kepler credited Napier’s tables for
might need to multiply. making possible the incredible calculations
John Napier (1550–1617) spent twenty years required to analyze the motion of the planets
compiling tables of exponents (called logarithms about the sun.
or ratio numbers). He started with a large number

cEXAMPLE 3 Using inverse function identities Use inverse function

identities to simplify. Express the result in exact form and then give a five-decimal-
place approximation.
(a) e ln Ï3 (b) e22 ln 7 (c) ln e2Ï5
Strategy: Rewrite each part
as needed to use inverse Solution
function identities.
(a) By identity (1), e ln Ï3 5 Ï3 < 1.73205. The exact form is Ï3 and 1.73205
is the desired approximation.
(b)For the exact form, first use logarithm property L3 to rewrite 22 ln 7 as ln
722, or ln~ 491 !, then use identity (1).
1
e22 ln 7 5 e ln (1y49) 5 < 0.02041
49
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4.4 Computations with Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 231

y Thus e22 ln 7 is exactly equal to 491 and 0.02041 is the five-decimal-place approx-
imation.
(c) Identity (2) gives ln e2Ï5 5 2Ï5 < 22.23607. An exact form for ln e2Ï5 is
y = e lnx
2Ï5 and 22.23607 is the desired approximation. b
x
(0, 0)
cEXAMPLE 4 Identical functions? Graph the functions f ~x! 5 e ln x and
g~x! 5 ln e x separately. Describe and explain the differences between the graphs
of f , g, and the line y 5 x.
Solution
(a)
The graphs of y 5 e ln x and y 5 ln e x are shown in Figures 23a and 23b. The graph
of f is the same as the first quadrant portion of the line y 5 x, but the domain of
y
f is limited to x . 0. We cannot tell visually whether the origin is included, but in
a decimal window, tracing verifies that f is undefined at x 5 0.
Since e x is always positive, ln e x 5 x is defined for all real numbers x. The
y = ln e x
x
graph of g is identical with the graph of y 5 x.
(0, 0) The graphs of both f and g give graphical confirmation of the inverse function
identities. b
Using Inverse Function Identities to Solve Equations

(b) In Section 4.1 we solved the equation 32x11 5 37y3 by using our intuitive under-
standing of exponents. To justify equating exponents, we now know that exponen-
FIGURE 23
tial and logarithmic functions are one–one; if two numbers are equal, their loga-
rithms are equal, or in mathematical notation, if u 5 v, then logb u 5 logb v.
Applying the log function to both sides, if 32x11 5 37y3, then log3~32x11! 5
log3~37y3!, from which 2x 1 1 5 73 , and so x 5 23 .
cEXAMPLE 5 Solving exponential equations Solve. Express your solu-
tion in exact form and give a four-decimal-place approximation.
Strategy: Apply the natural (a) e 2x21 5 4 (b) 5x 5 3 · 412x
logarithm function to both
sides and simplify, using Solution
properties of logarithms. (a) From the strategy,
ln e 2x21 5 ln 4 or 2x 2 1 5 ln 4.
Therefore x 5 2 < 1.1931, so
1 1 ln 4 1 1 ln 4
is the exact solution and 1.1931 is the
2
desired approximation.
(b) In a similar fashion, ln 5x 5 ln~3 · 412x!. By logarithm property L3, ln 5x 5
x ln 5, and by properties L1 and L3, ln~3 · 412x! 5 ln 3 1 ~1 2 x!ln 4. There-
fore, the given equation is equivalent to
x ln 5 5 ln 3 1 ~1 2 x!ln 4.
We now have a linear equation in x. Solve it as follows:
x ln 5 5 ln 3 1 ln 4 2 x ln 4
x~ln 5 1 ln 4! 5 ln 3 1 ln 4
ln 3 1 ln 4 ln 12
x5 5 < 0.8295.
ln 5 1 ln 4 L1 ln 20
Therefore, the exact solution is ln 12
ln 20 and 0.8295 is the approximation. b
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232 Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Notice that ln 12
ln 20 cannot be simplified further in the exact form solution of
Example 5. In particular, lnln 20 is not equal to ln 20 , since ln 20 < 0.8295 and
12 12 ln 12

ln 20 < 20.5108.
12

cEXAMPLE 6 Another exponential equation Solve the equation

e x 1 e2x 5 4.

Strategy: Note that the Solution

strategy of Example 5 is not Follow the strategy and multiply both sides by e x.
helpful, since ln~e x 1 e2x!
does not simplify. Multiply e 2x 1 e x e2x 5 4e x or ~e x!2 2 4e x 1 1 5 0.
through by e x to get a
quadratic equation in e x. Use Use the quadratic formula to solve for e x,
the quadratic formula to
solve for e x, and then take e x 5 2 1 Ï3 and e x 5 2 2 Ï3.
logarithms to solve for x. Apply the ln function to both sides of each and use identity (2) to get
ln e x 5 ln~2 1 Ï3! or x 5 ln~2 1 Ï3! < 1.317
ln e x 5 ln~2 2 Ï3! or x 5 ln~2 2 Ï3 ! < 21.317.
B (1, 3)
y=x The exact solutions are ln~2 1 Ï3! and ln~2 2 Ï3!. Decimal approximations are
1.317 and 21.317, respectively. b
A (0, 1) D
y = 3x C (3, 1)
cEXAMPLE 7 Inverse functions Graph the functions f ~x! 5 3x, g~x! 5
(1, 0)
log3 x, and y 5 x in the same decimal window. Find at least two pairs of points on
y = log3 x the graphs of f and g that are reflections of each other in the line y 5 x. What do
the graphs suggest about the domain and range of f and g?

[– 5, 5] by [– 3.5, 3.5]
Solution
To graph y 5 log3 x, we use the change of base formula and enter Y 5 LN X/LN 3 . The
FIGURE 24 graphs of all three are shown in Figure 24.
From the figure, it looks as if the graph of g is the reflection of the graph of f in
the line y 5 x. For partial verification, we trace along the graph of y 5 3x and find
points A~0, 1! and B~1, 3!. On the graph of y 5 log3 x are the points C~1, 0!, the
reflection of point A, and D~3, 1!, the image of B. b

Exponential functions are said to “grow faster” than any polynomial function.
We are not prepared to prove such a general statement, but it is illustrative to see
how unexpected the intersections of polynomial and exponential functions may be,
as suggested in the next example.

cEXAMPLE 8 Hidden intersections Let f ~x! 5 2x and g~x! 5 x 3.

(a) Graph f and g in the @21, 6# 3 @21, 10# window. To the right of the visible
intersection, which graph appears to be growing faster? Use an x-range of
@21, 12# and keep increasing the y-range until you find another intersection.
(b) Find the “hidden intersection,” (one decimal place) by setting 2x 5 x 3 and
taking the natural logarithm of both sides.
(c) Discuss alternative ways to use technology to find the intersection in part (b).
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4.4 Computations with Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 233

Solution

Q (a) In the specified window, there is an intersection near (1.4, 2.7), and then the
y = 3ln x
cubic function rises much faster than the exponential. Trying larger and larger
y-ranges, it isn’t until we get to something near 1000 that the exponential
y = x ln 2 function “catches up.” Tracing, the intersection is close to (9.9, 980). From this
point on, the exponential graph grows faster.
(b) When we take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation 2x 5 x 3 and
P
apply properties of logarithms, we get the equation, x ln 2 5 3 ln x, for which
we have no direct way of solving. Nevertheless, graphical tools are available.
[– 1, 10] by [– 1, 7] Graphing Y1 5 X LN 2 and Y2 5 3 LN X in @21, 10# 3 @21, 7# gives a picture some-
thing like Figure 25. The intersection Q is near (9.94, 6.89). The “hidden
FIGURE 25 intersection” of the original graphs is given by x < 9.94, for which y <
29.94 < 982 and ~9.94!3 < 982.
(c) Among the many alternative approaches using a graphing calculator, we could
locate graphically the root of either the equation 2x 2 x 3 5 0 or of x ln 2 2
3 ln x 5 0, or, if our calculator has one, we could use a solve routine (men-
tioned in Example 10 of Section 4.1) for any of the above equations. Any of
the solve routines require a starting guess. In this case, we must indicate that
we want the solution near 9.9, which we will find is approximately
9.9395351414. In summary, we conclude that the equation 2x 5 x 3 has two
roots, x1 < 1.4 and x 2 < 9.9. b

Applications

Exponential and logarithmic functions are used to model many natural phenom-
ena. The following section is devoted entirely to such applications. Here we discuss
just one example.

The sounds we hear Logarithmic functions are used in modeling the sounds we
hear. Loudness of sound is a sensation in the brain. We cannot measure it directly,
but there is a related physically measurable quantity: the intensity of the sound
wave. Sound waves travel through the air, and these wave vibrations force the
eardrums to vibrate, producing a sound sensation. The intensity I of a sound wave
is measured in watts per square meter ~ mw2 !.
The intensity of a barely audible sound wave, about 10 212 mw2 , corresponds to
pressure vibrations less than a billionth of the atmospheric pressure at sea level.
The human ear is very sensitive. A sound wave of intensity of 1 mw2 would damage
the eardrum.
The human ear does not respond to sound intensity in a linear fashion. If the
intensity doubles, we do not hear the sound as twice as loud. The sound level b is
logarithmically related to the intensity I.

b ~I! 5 10 log SDI

I0
5 10~log I 2 log I0! (3)

where I is the measured intensity and I0 is the intensity of sound we can just barely
hear, 10 212 mw2 . The sound level b is measured in decibels (dB), a unit named for
Alexander Graham Bell.
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234 Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

For a sound just at the hearing threshold, I is I0 , so

b ~I! 5 10 log SD
I0
I0
5 10 log 1 5 10 · 0 5 0.

Thus 0 dB measures the threshold hearing level. At an intensity of 10 I0 ,

b ~10 I0! 5 10 log 10 5 10. Similarly, if I is 100 I0 , then the sound level is given
by b ~100 I0! 5 10 log 100 5 10 · 2 5 20. Multiplying the intensity by a factor of
10 only doubles the loudness of the sound we hear.

cEXAMPLE 9 Adding trumpets Four trumpets are playing at the same

time, each at an average loudness of 75 dB. What is the resulting sound level?
Solution
If b ~I1! denotes the loudness level of one trumpet, then Equation (3) can give the
corresponding intensity I1 .

b ~I1! 5 10 log SDI1

I0
5 10 log I1 2 10 log I0 .

Since I0 5 10 212, log I0 5 212. Since b ~I1! 5 75, we have

75 5 10 log I1 1 120 log I1 5 24.5 and I1 5 10 24.5.
The intensity of sound for one trumpet is 10 24.5 so four trumpets have a sound
intensity of 4 · I1 , or 4 · 10 24.5. Thus

b ~4 · I1! 5 10 log
I0
F G
4 I1
5 10 log 4 F S DG
I1
I0

5 10 log 4 1 10 log
I1
I0
SD5 10 log 4 1 75 < 81.02

Therefore, the loudness of the four trumpets is about 81 dB. A fourfold increase in
sound wave intensity increases the loudness level by less than 10 percent. This is
why a solo instrument can be heard in a symphony concert even when the full
orchestra is playing at the same time. b

EXERCISES 4.4
Check Your Understanding
Exercises 1–5 True or False. Give reasons. 7. The sum of the integers between ln 4 and 2ln 25 is
1. log 16 , ln 5 .
1 8. If S 5 $x _ ln 0.5 # x # 5ln 25%, then the smallest
2. ln~Ï2 1 Ï5! 5 ~ln 2 1 ln 5! positive integer that is not in S is .
2
9. The graph of y 5 ln~x 3 1 x 2 2 4x 1 6! has turning
3. For all positive numbers c and d,
points in Quadrants .
ln~c 1 d! 5 ln c 1 ln d.
10. The local minimum point (2 decimal places) for the
4. The graph of y 5 log x is above the graph of y 5 ln x
graph of y 5 2 1 ln~x 3 1 x 2 2 4x 1 4! is .
for all x . 1.
5. The graph of y 5 ln x is above the graph of y 5 log3 x Develop Mastery
for every x . 1. Exercises 1–8 Logarithmic Evaluations Evaluate. Give
Exercises 6–10 Fill in the blank so that the resulting the result rounded off to four decimal places. If your calcu-
statement is true. lator indicates an error, explain why.
6. The number of integers between ln 4 and 5ln 25 is 1. (a) ln 5 (b) log 15.6
. 2. (a) ln Ï3 (b) log~1 1 Ï3!
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4.4 Computations with Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 235

3. (a)
ln 3
ln 5
(b) ln
3
5
SD(c)
ln 3 1 ln 4
ln 5
Exercises 29–32 Exponential Function Inverses
(a) Find a formula for f 21. (b) Draw graphs of f , f 21, and
y 5 x on the same screen. If the graphs intersect, find the
4. (a) ln Ï0.5 (b) Ïln 0.5 (c) ~0.5! ln 0.5
coordinates of the point(s) of intersection ( 1 decimal place).
5. (a) ln Ï2 (b) Ïln 2 (c) 2~ln Ï2!
29. f ~x! 5 e2x 1 2 30. f ~x! 5 3 1 10 20.2x
6. (a) log3 7 (b) log8 0.8 (c) log4~3 2 Ï10!
31. f ~x! 5 4.10 12x 32. f ~x! 5 2e 12x
7. (a) log5~ln 7! (b) log3~ln 0.3! (c) log8 2Ï3
8. (a) log2~ln 4! (b) log5~ln 0.4! (c) log3 3Ï3 Exercises 33–36 Logarithmic Function Inverses
(a) Draw a graph of f. Does it suggest that f is one-one?
Exercises 9–12 Simplify. Express your result in exact (b) Find a formula for f 21. (c) Draw a graph of f 21 and
form and give a two-decimal-place approximation. give its domain and range.
9. (a) e ln Ï5 (b) e2ln Ï5 33. f ~x! 5 ln~x 2 1! 34. f ~x! 5 ln x 2 1
10. (a) e2ln Ï6 (b) e22~ln 13! x
Ï3 6 35. f ~x! 5 ln ,x.1
11. (a) ln e (b) ln Ïe x21
7
12. (a) ln e2Ï7 (b) ln Ïe 36. f ~x! 5 ln~x 2 2 2x!, x . 2
Exercises 13–18 Compare Logarithm Values Enter 5, Exercises 37–49 Exponential and Logarithmic Equa-
, , or . in the blank to get a true statement. tions Solve. Express the result in exact form and also give
13. log2 3 log3 2 14. log5 15 log2 5 a three- decimal-place approximation.
15. log5 25 log3 9 37. 3 ln x 2 1 5 0 38. 2 ln x 2 1 5 0
16. log2 12 log12 60 39. ln~3x 2 2! 1 ln 5 5 1
17. log0.5 5 log3 0.04 40. log~3x 2 1! 2 log x 5 21
18. log5 0.3 log3 0.5 41. 2 log x 2 2 log~x 2 1! 5 1
42. 2 ln x 2 ln~2x 1 1! 5 1
Exercises 19–20 Comparing Large Numbers Of the
three numbers a, b, and c, which one is the (a) largest? 43. 3x 5 4
(b) smallest? (Hint: If your calculator cannot handle such 44. e2x 5 0.56 45. 3x 2 ln 4 5 0
large numbers, then compare ln a, ln b, and ln c. Explain
46. e x 5 3 · 4x 47. e2x 1 1 5 ln 8
why you can conclude that if ln u , ln v then u , v.)
48. 42x 2 ln 5 5 0 49. 52x 5 6 · 7x
19. a 5 2333, b 5 3210, c 5 5144,
20. a 5 2485, b 5 4243, c 5 7172 Exercises 50–53 Intercept Points For the graph of the
equation, find the x- and y-intercept points algebraically.
Exercises 21–24 Comparing Graphs Draw graphs of f
Round off to two decimal places as needed. Use a graph as
and g. See Technology Tip. Are the graphs identical? Ex-
a check.
plain.
50. y 5 ln~x 1 1! 2 1 51. y 5 2 · 4x 2 5
21. f ~x! 5 ln x 1 ln~x 1 2!, g~x! 5 ln@x~x 1 2!#
x 52. y 5 ln~x 1 2! 2 ln~x 1 1! 2 1
22. f ~x! 5 ln x 2 ln~x 2 2!, g~x! 5 ln 53. y 5 3 · 2x 2 52x
x22
23. f ~x! 5 2 ln x, g~x! 5 ln x 2
Exercises 54–57 Graphs (a) Use appropriate transla-
24. f ~x! 5 ln~2x!, g~x! 5 ln x 1 ln 2 tions of a core graph to sketch the graph of y 5 f ~x!. Label
Exercises 25–28 Composition Graphs (a) Draw graphs the x-intercept points. (b) Use the graph to help find the
of f 8 g and g 8 f. Are the graphs identical? (b) What is the solution set for f ~x! $ 0.
domain of f 8 g? of g 8 f ? 54. f ~x! 5 ln~x 2 1! 2 1 55. f ~x! 5 ln~x 1 2!
25. f ~x! 5 log x, g~x! 5 10 x 56. f ~x! 5 e x 2 2 57. f ~x! 5 e2x 2 2
26. f ~x! 5 ln x, g~x! 5 e x
Exercises 58–59 Disguised Quadratic Equations First
27. f ~x! 5 1 1 ln x, g~x! 5 e x21 express the equation in quadratic form and then solve for x.
28. f ~x! 5 2ln x, g~x! 5 e2x 58. e x 2 2e2x 2 1 5 0 59. 5x 1 10 · 52x 5 7
pg236 [V] G2 5-36058 / HCG / Cannon & Elich cr 11-27-95 MP1

236 Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Exercises 60–63 Disguised Quadratic Equations Solve. 81. The loudness level near a lawn mower is 90 dB. What is
Express the result in exact form and give a three-decimal- the corresponding intensity in mw2 ?
place approximation. (Hint: Consider quadratic equations.)
82. The average loudness level of one trombone is about
Check graphically.
70 dB.
60. ~ln x!2 2 2 ln x 2 3 5 0 61. ~ln x!2 5 ln x (a) What is the loudness level when 76 trombones are
62. e 2x 1 2e x 2 3 5 0 63. e 2x 1 4e x 1 4 5 0 playing at the same time?
(b) What is the percentage increase in the loudness
Exercises 64–66 Find the solution set (1 decimal place). level from one trombone to 76 trombones?
See Example 8.
83. What is the loudness level of 110 cornets playing simul-
64. 2x 5 x 2 65. 2x 5 x 4 taneously if the average loudness level of each is 75 dB?
66. 2 5 x
x 5
What is the percentage increase in loudness level over
67. Hidden Root Find the largest root (1 decimal place) that of one cornet?
of 2x 5 x 7 See Example 8. 84. Fruit Flies The number N of fruit flies in a colony
68. (a) Hidden Root Solve 2x 5 x 10 using techniques after t days of breeding is given by
similar to that used in Example 8 (1 decimal place). 320
You can find two roots by drawing graphs of y 5 2x N5
1 1 7e20.17t
and y 5 x 10 on the same screen.
(b) Find the third root by applying ln to both sides and (a) How many fruit flies are there initially?
then solving the resulting equation. (b) Draw a calculator graph using @0, 60# 3 @40, 350#.
Find the number of days it will take for N to be 200.
69. See Exercise 68. One of the roots of 2x 5 x 10 is approx-
(c) Describe the end behavior of this function. That is,
imately 58.8. If you were to draw a graph of y 5 2x (or
what happens to N as t A `?
y 5 10 x), what size graph paper would be needed to
find the point for x 5 58.8 if the scale on your graph
Exercises 85–86 Looking Ahead to Calculus In cal-
paper is one tenth of an inch on both the x and y axes?
culus we define a function, called the hyperbolic sine, by
Compare your answer with the distance from the earth
sinh x 5 12 ~e x 2 e2x!. The graph of the hyperbolic sine is
to the sun, 93 million miles.
shown in the diagram. The graph shows that the sinh func-
Exercises 70–79 Solution Set Find the solution set. tion is one–one and hence has an inverse.
Solve algebraically and then use a graph to support your y
answer.
4
70. (a) e2x 5 23 (b) ln~2x! 5 23 3
71. 2 log x 5 log 2x 2 y = sinh x
1
2x
72. ln~e 1 1! 5 ln~e 1 1! 1 x
x
x
– 4 –3 – 2 –1 1 2 3 4
x4 –1
73. x log x 5 ~Hint: Take the log of each side.! –2
1000
–3
74. x ln x 5 x 2 e 3 ~Hint: Take the ln of each side.! –4
75. (a) x log 3 5 3 (b) x ln x 5 e 4
85. If f ~x! 5 sinh x, find an equation that describes f 21.
76. log~x 1 3! 2 2 log x 5 1
2
(Hint: Use the algorithm in Section 2.7.)
77. ~log5 x!~logx 7! 5 log5 7 ~Hint: Use the change-of-base 86. The function g~x! 5 ln~Ïx 2 1 1 1 x! has an inverse.
formula.! Use the algorithm in Section 2.7 to find an equation
78. ~log2 x!~logx 5! 5 log2 5 ~See Exercise 77.! that describes g21. Compare with Exercise 85.
1 1 1
79. 1 5 ~See Exercise 77.!
log2 x log3 x log6 x

Exercises 80–83 The Sounds We Hear

80. How many times more intense is a 70 dB sound than
(a) a 60 dB sound? (b) a 40 dB sound?