MODULE 6

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

INTRODUCTION

Social media is home to all sorts of “challenges”. Remember, the

#icebucketchallenge, or #BinibiniDanceChallenge, or the #PlantADayChallenge which is
very popular among plant lovers.

The idea behind these “challenge” is to get as many people as you can to do it.
For example, #PlantADayChallenge challenges participants to plant a variety once a
day for 10 days and challenge one person a day. If these goes on and on and on…can
you imagine how many people can you get to plant after 10 days? 30 days? Or a year?

This illustrates how can a single act can massively involve so many people
exponentially.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions;
2. Graph exponential and logarithmic functions;
3. Use the laws of exponents and logarithms;
4. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations

LEARNING CONTENT

Lesson 1: Definition of Exponential Functions

Information dissemination in the shortest time possible is crucial in times of

pandemic or disaster. One of the most reliable way is the use of cellphone via text
message. Consider this texting pattern in spreading information via text.
“The head of the Health Department sent a text information to his two
employees and ask them to spread the information to two persons. Each person who
received the text are also asked to strictly send it to two persons.”
We can illustrate this using a diagram showing a nonlinear pattern.

Person 8
Person 4 Person 9
Person 2 Person 10
Person1 Person 5 Person 11
Person 12
Person 3 Person 6 Person 14
We can Person 7 Person 15 represent this pattern
Person 16
using a table:
 Number of times message was sent 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of Persons Informed 1 2 4 8 16 ? ?

The table clearly shows a nonlinear pattern as the message is passed to two
persons by the receiver. After the head of the Health Department sent the message to
his two employees, there two persons who are already informed. Then, these two
employees will send it to two persons each. At this stage there are 4 more persons who
are informed. Then, on the third time that the message is sent, 8 more persons are
informed. How about on the 5th and 6th time the message was passed? How many
additional persons at these stages are informed?

We can model this using an equation to help us determine the number of

persons informed at a certain time the message was sent. Notice that the number of
persons involved follow a pattern: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 can be expressed as 1, 2, 2 x 2, 2x2x2,
2x2x2x2.
This means that 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 can be expressed exponentially as 2 0, 21, 22, 23, 24.
Further, we can use an equation to represent this scenario. If we let y represent
the number of persons informed and x the number of times the message was sent,
then our equation will be

y=2x
where x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable. This equation is
called an EXPONENTIAL EQUATION.

Definition

In general, an EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION can be written as

f(x) = bx
where b is the base and x is the exponent, b>0, b1, and x is any real number

Note that the definition of an exponential function has restrictions. First is for b
cannot be equal to 1 since 1 x has a value equal to 1 for any value of which will reduce
the function to f(x) = 1, a constant function.

The second restriction requires b to be positive so that the function is defined for
all real numbers. For example, if b = -16 and x = ½. This will form f(x) = (-16) ½ or f(x)
= √ −16 which is not a real number.

Before you proceed to the next lesson, kindly perform Task #1.
Lesson 2: Graph of Exponential Functions

Let’s consider the example in Lesson 1.

x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
y 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128

The table represents the exponential function y = 2 x. We can graphy this

exponential function by plotting the points manually or by using graphing calculators or
Geogebra applications. The graph looks like this.

The graph above generally represents the graph of the exponential function f(x)
= bx where b > 0. In general, when b>1, the graph of the function of the form
f= (x.y)y = bx, is similar with the graph of y = 2x.
 Here are the properties of exponential function and their graph similar to the
above graph.

Let f(x) = bx, b>1 and b1.

1. The domain is the set of real numbers.
2. The range is the set of positive real numbers. In symbols, this means that for each x
is an element of the real number, bx > 0.
3. If x = 0, bx = 1
If x > 0, bx > 1
If x < 0, 0< bx <1
4. As x increases, bx also increases. This implies that if m, n is an element of real
numbers, and m > n then bm > bn.
5. The graph approaches but does not reach the x-axis (asymptotic to the x-axis)

Now let us try another function, this time assigning a value for b between 0 and
1. Let us graph the function defined by the equation y = (½) x. The table below defines
the points found in the given equation.

x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y
Note: the values of y are obtained by substituting the values of x in the equation y = (½) x

Plotting and tracing the points (x, y) in the rectangular coordinate plane, we obtain the
graph below.
 Notice that the graphs of the functions y = 2x and y = (½)x are of the same
shape. Let us graph both equations together:

The graph of y = (½)x is the reflection of and y = 2x along the y-axis. The graph
of the function f = (x, y) y = bx, 0 <b<1 is similar to the graph of y = (½)x.

The graphs of y = 2x and y = (½)x have one y-intercept and one horizontal
asymptote (the x-axis), and they are continuous. An asymptote of a curve is a line that
the curve approaches more and more closely, that is, the distance between the line and
the curve approaches zero s the graph moves out further along the line

From the graph of y = (½)x, we can draw the following properties of this
exponential function.

Let f(x) = bx, 0<b<1.

1. The domain is the set of real numbers.
2. The range is the set of positive real numbers.
3. If x = 0, then bx = 1; if x > 0, then 0<bx<1; and if x<0, then bx > 1.
4. As x increases, bx decreases. This implies that if m, n are elements of the real
number, and m>n, then bm < bn.
Before you proceed to the next lesson, kindly perform Task #2.
Lesson 3: Definition and Properties of Logarithmic Function

Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions. The inverse of

the exponential function y = bx is x = by. The logarithmic function y = logbx is defined
to be equivalent to the exponential equation x = by. y = logbx only under the following
conditions: x = by, b > 0, and b≠1. It is called the logarithmic function with base b.

Consider what the inverse of the exponential function means: x = by. Given a

number x and a base b, to what power y must b be raised to equal x? This unknown
exponent, y, equals logbx. So you see a logarithm is nothing more than an exponent. By
definition, blogbx = x, for every real x > 0.

Since exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other, we can
rewrite an exponential function into a logarithmic function or vice versa.

Exponential form Logarithmic form

can be transformed as
y=b y x=log b y

Before you proceed to the next lesson, please answer Task # 3.

Properties of Logarithms

The following properties follow directly from the definition of the logarithmic
function with base b.

1. log b 1 = 0 because b0 = 1
2. log b b=1 because b 1=b
3. log b b x =x because b log x =x (Inverse Properties)
b

4. If log b x=log b y , then x= y (One−¿−one Property)

log b c
5. log a c=
log b a
1
6. log a b = log a
b
Let’s try some examples!

EXAMPLE 1
Solve for x.
a . log 2 x=log 2 3
Solution:
The problem follows the format of Property #4 where both sides of the
equation are two logarithmic expressions with the same base. In this problem,
both bases are 2. So, using property #4 we can conclude that x = 3.

b . log 4 4=x
Solution:
This problem can be solve using property #2. Therefore x = 1.
EXAMPLE 2
Evaluate the expression.
a. log 4 64
Solution:
We can solve this by transforming the expression into a form that is found in the
properties of logarithm.
The givenexpression can be transformed as log 4 4 3.
Notice that it now takes the format of Property #3.So we can conclude that x =
3

Properties of the Graph of Logarithmic Function

We can sketch the graph of a logarithmic function f(x) = log bx by assigning
values to x and computing for the value of f(x) or by using a calculator.
Let’s take a look at the graph of f(x) = log 10 x using geogebra graphing
calculator.
 The nature of the graph is typical of functions in the form f(x)= log bx, where b>1.
Below are the characteristics of logarithmic graphs:

Characteristics of of the graph of f(x) = log bx, where b > 1

 Domain is (0, ∞)
 Range is (-∞,∞)
 Intercept (1, 0)
 Increasing
 Y-axis is a vertical asymptote (log bx approaches -∞ as x approaches 0)
 Continuous
 Reflection of the graph of y = bx about the line y = x.

Let me show you why exponential function and logarithmic functions are inverses
of each other. We will graph them in a single axis to see how their graphs behave. We
will use the functions f(x) = log 10 x or y = 10x, and the x = 10y.
 The orange graph is the exponential function f(x) = 10 x while the blue graph
represents the logarithmic function f(x) = log 10 x. The purple straight line y = x is the
line of reflection of the two graphs. In short, logarithmic and exponential functions are
inverses of each other and their graphs are reflections of each other.

Now let’s check how much you’ve learned by answering Learning Task #3.
Lesson 4 Laws of Logarithm
Like exponents, logarithms too have rules and laws. The laws of logarithms can
be used to perform the following operations: changing logarithmic functions to
exponential form, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, expanding and
condensing and solving logarithmic equations.
The table bellows summarizes the different laws of logarithms

Let b be a positive number not equal to 1. Let x and y be any positive numbers, and n
be any real number.

1. log bxy = log bx + log by (Logarithm of a Product)

x
2. log b = log bx - log by (Logarithm of a Quotient)
y
3. log b x n=n log b x (Logarithm of a Power)

EXAMPLE 1
Evaluate:
 a. log 10 4 + log 10 25
Solution:
In this example, we can apply the laws of logarithm since it involves the
sum of two logarithms with THE SAME bases. Note, the laws can be applied only
when the bases are the same. In this example, both logarithms have a base of
10. Notice that this is a logarithm of a product. So we can re-write the two
logarithms as a single logarithm using the first law
log 10 4(25)
Simplifying, log 10100
Using the properties of logarithms in the previous lesson, we can further rewrite
the logarithm as
log 10 102, since 100 can be expressed as a power of 10.
Therefore,
log 10 4 + log 10 25 = 2 , using Property #3 (Inverse Property)

1
b. log 3 9 + log 4 + log 5 1
64

Solution
Notice that the logarithms differ in bases, which means that you cannot
put them together as one logarithm. What you should do in evaluate them
individually using the properties of logarithmic functions.
Re-write the first two logarithm in a form similar to property number 3
(Inverse Property) except for the third term which is takes the form of Property
number 1 (logarithm of a constant)
log 3 32 + log 4 4−3 + log 5 1
Applying the properties, we can simplify further
2 + (-3) +0
Therefore, the value of the given logarithm is -1.
EXAMPLE 2
Expand the given logarithms.
a. log 3 4x2y
Solution:
log 3 4x2y = log 3 4 + log 3 x2y Law #1
 = log 3 4 + log 3 x2 + log 3 y Law #1
= log 3 4 + 2 log 3x + log 3 y Law #3

4 x−7
b. log 10
√7
(4 x −7)1/2
= log 10 Using exponents
7 1/ 2
1 /2
= log 10 ¿ - log 10 7 Law #2
= ½ log 10 (4 x−7) - ½ ( 107) log Law #3
= ½ [ 10log (4 x−7) log
- ½ ( 10 7)] Factor our ½ from both terms

EXAMPLE 3
Condense the given logarithmic expression.
x y2
a. log a
z
Solution:
2
log a x + log a y Law #1
z
log a x + log a y 2 - log a z Law #2
log a x + 2 log a y - log a z Law #3

b. log a
√ xy
zw
Solution:
1
2
= log [ ( xy ) ] Rewrite using exponents
a
zw
1
x1 /2 y
= log a( 2)
zw
1/ 2 1 /2
= log a x y - log a zw Law #2
1/ 2 1/ 2
= log a x + log a y - log a zw Law #1
1
= 2 log +1/2 log a y - log a zw Law #3
a
1
= 2 log +1/2 log a y – ( log ¿ ¿ a z + log a w)¿ Law #1
a
1
= 2 log +1/2 log a y – log a z−log a w
a

Now, let’s try to check your understanding by performing Task #4

Lesson 5: Natural Logarithms
The logarithm function with base e is thenatural logarithmic function and is
denoted by the special symbol lnx, read as “natural logarithm of x or “el en of x”.

The function defined by f(x) = log e x=ln x , x>0 is called the natural logarithmic
function.

Properties of Natural Logarithms

1. ln 1 = 0 because e0 = 1
2. ln e = 1 because e1 = e
 3. ln ex = x and elnx = e (Invere Property)
4. if ln x = ln y, the x = y (One-to-one Property)

EXAMPLE 1
Find (a) ln 2437 (b) log 3 7
Solutions:
a. Using calculator, ln 2437 = 7.7985
ln 7
b. log 3 7 =
ln 3
1.9459
=
1.0986
≈ 1.7713
EXAMPLE 2
Write the logarithm in terms of ln 2 and ln 5.
2
a. ln 10 b. ln
125
Solutions:
a. ln 10 = ln (2·5) Rewrite 10 as a product of 2 and 5
= ln 2 + ln 5 Law #1

2
b. ln = ln2 – ln 125 Law #2
125

EXAMPLE 3
Expand ln
√3 x−3
7
Solution:
= ln √3 x−3 - ln 7 Law #2
= ln (x – 3)1/3 – ln 7 Rewrite as exponent
1
= ln (x-3) – ln 7 Law #3
3

EXAMPLE 4
Condense 4 ln(x + 3) – ln x
Solution:
= ln(x+ 3)4 – ln x Law #3
(x +3)4
= ln Law #2
4

Before you proceed to the next lesson, please answer Learning Task #5.
Lesson 6: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

There are some real-life applications where we need to solve exponential and
logarithmic equations. Earthquake intensity, loudness of sound, and compound interest
are just a few.
An equation with variables in exponents, like 32x = 9 is called exponential
equation. While equations that contain logarithmic expressions are logarithmic equtions.
 There are strategies which can help you solve exponential and logarithmic
equations.
There are two basic strategies for solving exponential or logarithmic equations.
The first is based on the One-to-One Property and the second is based on the Inverse
Property.
For b > 0 and b≠1, the following properties are true for all x and y for which
log b x and log b y are defined.

One-to-One Properties Inverse Properties

bx = by if and only if x = y b log x =x

b

log b b x =x
log b x = log b y if and only if x = y

Here are some tips which you can use when solving exponential and logarithmic
equations.
1. Rewrite the given equation in a form that allows the use of the One-to-one
Property of exponential or logarithmic functions.
2. Rewrite the exponential equation in logarithmic form and apply the Inverse
Property of logarithmic functions.
3. Rewrite the logarithmic equation in exponential form and apply the Inverse
Property of exponential functions.
Let’s illustrate how to apply these strategies in solving exponential and logarithmic
equations.
EXAMPLE 1
Solve for x if 2x+1 = 82x-1.
Solution:
2x+1 = 23(2x-1) Express 8 as a power of 2 to make the bases the
same
2x+1 = 26x-3
x+1 = 6x – 3 One-to-one property
1+3 = 6x – x
4 = 5x
x = 4/5

EXAMPLE 2
Solve 5(2x) = 725
Solution:
2x = 125 Divide each side by 5
log 2 2x = log 2 125 Take log (base 2) of each side
x = log 2 125 Inverse Property
 log ❑ 125
x= Change-of-base Formula
log ❑ 2
x ≈ 6.966 Compute using calculator

EXAMPLE 3
Solve for x.
a. log 3 x=5
35 = x Rewrite logarithm as an exponent
x = 243

b. log 4 ( 3 x +4 )=4
3x + 4 = 44 Rewrite logarithm as an exponent
3x = 256 – 4
3x = 252
x = 84

c. logx + log (x-3) = 1 Note when the base is not specified,

assume that the logarithm is to
the
base 10
log x(x-3) = 1 Law #1
x(x-3) = 101 Rewrite logarithm as an exponent
x2 – 3x = 10
x2 – 3x – 10 = 0
(x - 5) (x + 2) = 0 Factoring
(x-5) = 0 and (x + 2) = 0 Zero Property
x = 5 and x = -2
Note: log -2 and log (-2-3) do not exist, hence x = -2 is an extraneous solution.

You are now ready to perform Learning Task #6.

TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES

The following are learning tasks that will empower your understanding of the
different lessons found in this module.
Learning Task #1
Imagine a fake news posted by one Facebook user. Assuming that every minute,
the first 4 friends of the sharer who see the post share it. How long will it take before
the fake news will be seen by atleast 2,000 persons? You may devise your own strategy
in solving this problem. Use the space below.

Learning Task #2
Below are six exponential functions with varying base b. Complete the table of
value using calculator. Sketch the graph and answer the questions that follow.
 x Y = 2x Y = 0.5x Y = 1.2x Y = 0.8x Y = 0.2x Y = 4.5x
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5

Guide Questions:
1. In which of the table of values do the values of y increase as value of x increase?
2. Among the increasing functions, which has the greatest rate of increase? Which
has the least?
3. Find a pattern based on your answers to numbers 1 and 2. Why is the pattern
you noted reasonable to expect?
4. In which of the tables do the y-values decrease as the values of x increase?
5. For which of the rules do the y-values decrease quickly? Most slowly?
6. Find a pattern based on your answers to questions number 4 and 5.
7. Is there an x-value for which at least two of the six functions have the same y-
values? If so, explain.
8. Describe the graphs as you increase or decrease the value of x.
9. For the exponential function with rule f(x) = b x, how does the base b affect the
table of data pairs (x, y)? Hint: Consider the cases b> 1 and b < 1.

Learning Task #3
Consider the logarithmic function f(x) = log 10 x. Complete the table of values using your
calculator (The LOG key on your calculator is pre-set to a logarithm to the base 10).
Graph the points. (You may graph the function using Geogebra which is downloadable from Play Store or you can access
the web version here https://www.geogebra.org/graphing)

Describe the behavior of the graph. You can describe the graph by looking into the
asymptote, domain, range, x-intercept, etc…

x y
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

Learning Task 4
Perform as indicated.
A. Evaluate
 1. log10 4 + log10 25
2. log232 - log10(1/100) + log36

B. Express as a sum or difference of logarithms.

1. loga (x3√ w ¿ /¿z3
x
2. loga
√x y2
C. Express as a single logarithm
1. 4logb(2x + 1) – 2logb(x2 + 1)
2. log10(x+7) = log10(x-4) – log10(x+2)

Reflect:
Which among the items you find it easy to solve? challenging to solve? Why?

Learning Task #5
I. Use natural logarithms to evaluate the following:
1. log320
 2. log9102
3. log742
II. Arrange the following:
1. in ascending order: ln 2.8, e2.8, log 2.8
2. in descending order: ln 1.6, e1.6, 101.6, log1.6

Reflect:
Which among the items you find it easy to solve? challenging to solve? Why?

LEARNING TASK #6
Solve for x.
1. 3x+2 = 11
2. 4(103x) = 6
 3. log4(x + 3) + log4 (x-3) = 2
4. logx – log(2x – 1) = 0
5. log4x = 2 – log4(x + 6)

Reflect:
Which among the items you find it easy to solve? challenging to solve? Why?

Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading

To better further your understanding on the Exponential and Logarithmic
Functions, please click on the following links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvQCLCaiq2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pqoOYOs9Xg
FLEXIBLE TEACHING AND LEARNING MODALITY (FTLM) ADAPTED
Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, Schoology, Gmail, Lecture Video Presentation

Assessment Tasks

Part I. Multiple Choice

Directions: Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer.
1. If f(x) = 2x+1 and g(x) = x -1, then f(g(-1)) is equal to
 a. 2 b. 4 c. ½ d. ¼

2. The base of the exponential function y = b x whose graph contains the point
(2, 9) is
a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 9

3. If a > 0 and a≠1, then logab = _________.

a. 1/(logba) b. ba c. 1/(logab) d. log b/log a

4. log3 (5)(4) is the same as ___________.

a. log35 – log34
b. log35 + log34
c. log35/log34
d. log35 + log43
5. If log102 = x, log105 = y, and log103 = 3, then log1020 is equal to _________
a. 2x + y b. 2x – y c. x + 2y d. 2x + 2y

6. In the equation log2(x+2) + log25 = 4, the value of x is

a. 15 b. 6/5 c. 1/16 d. 5/6

7. Simplify ln 3 + 1/3(ln 48 – ½ln 36)

a. Ln 13 b. ln 6 c. e6 d. ln 3

Part II. Answer the following. (4 points each)

1. Graph the given exponential function and describe its properties.
f(x) = (¼)x

2. If x = y, what value will make the equation 2 x = 3y TRUE? If you believe that
there is no possible single value for x and y, state your reason.
References
Books
Oronce, O.A. & Mendoza, M.O., 2007.Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Rex
Bookstore
Online Resources
https://www.sparknotes.com/math/precalc/exponentialandlogarithmicfunctions/section2
/#:~:text=Logarithmic%20functions%20are%20the%20inverses,0%2C%20and%20a
%E2%89%A01.
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/alg/ExpAndLog.aspx