Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions

Section 1.1: Euler’s Number e

It is an irrational number, just like π, that is called the Euler’s number denoted as “e” .

The number e can be expressed as an infinite series as follows:

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒆=𝟏+ + + + +⋯
𝟏! 𝟐! 𝟑! 𝟒!
The exact value cannot be found, just like π, but it is approximately 2.7182818284590 .

Calculator: ALPHA → ln

Since e is a positive number, all index laws we have learnt are also applicable to e .
For any real numbers k , m and n ,
𝑒𝑚
(a) 𝑒 𝑚 × 𝑒 𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑚+𝑛 (b) = 𝑒 𝑚−𝑛
𝑒𝑛
(c) (𝑒 𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑚𝑛 (d) (𝑘𝑒)𝑚 = 𝑘 𝑚 𝑒 𝑚
1
(e) 𝑒0 = 1 (f) 𝑒 −𝑚 = 𝑚
𝑒

Exercise 1.1:
1. Find the values of each of the following, correct to 4 decimal places.
1
e
(a) e 6
(b) e 5
(c) 4
e3 (d)
e +1
2

2. Simplify each of the following expressions and express the answers in positive index of e .

(e 3 ) 5 (e−1 )3 e 6  e −4 e3 m
(a) −2 (b) −2 4 (c) (d) m 2
e (e )(e ) (e 2 )5 (e )

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3. Simplify each of the following expressions and express the answers in positive index of e .
1
−1
 3m   e 2m   e2m  m
(a) ( em )  e 2  (b) (e2m )3 (em )−4 (c)  5 m  (d)  
m 
  e   e 

4. Simplify the following.

(e − 1)(e2 + e + 1) + 1 e2 + 2e − 3
(a) (b)
e2 ( e − 1)( e + 1)

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3 5n
5. (a) Simplify ( en )(e ) and express the answer in terms of e.
3

3 10 3 20
( e )(e ) + ( e )(e )
2 3 4 3
(b) Hence, or otherwise, simplify 5 and express the answer in terms of e.
3
3
( e )(e )

6. (a) Simplify ( e 4 n ) n and give your answer in terms of e.

( e4 3 ) 3
− ( e4 2
) 2
(b) Hence, or otherwise, simplify and give your answer in terms of e.
3 3
4
( e 2
) 2
+ e2

7. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) e3 x−1 = e−4 (b) e x −2 x = 1 (c) (e x + 2 ) x = 1

2

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Section 1.2: Expansion of ex
The value ex can be expressed as
𝒙 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟑 𝒙𝒏
𝒆𝒙 = 𝟏 + + + + ⋯+ +⋯
𝟏! 𝟐! 𝟑! 𝒏!

Exercise 1.2:
1. Express each of the following as a series as far as the 4th term.
1
5 −
(a) e (b) e 4

2. Express each of the following as a series as far as the term in x3 .

x

(a) e 3 x (b) e 2 (c) e −2 x

(d) e x + 2 (e) e x − 4 (f) e−4 x −3

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5x
3. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 4 .

(b) Hence, or otherwise, expand e 5 x + e −5 x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 4 .

e x + e x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .

2
4. Expand

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x

5. (a) Expand e 3 in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .

x x
−
(b) Hence, or otherwise, expand e − e
3 3
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .

1
6. (a) Expand 2 x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in
x3 .
e
1
(b) Hence, or otherwise, expand x +1 2
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .
(e )

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2x
7. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 4 .

e5x + e x
(b) Hence, or otherwise, expand 3x
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 4 .
e

8. Expand (e2 x )(e3 x ) in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .

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e− 2 x − e x
9. Expand x
in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .
xe

2
− 3x +1
10. Expand e x in ascending powers of x up to the term x 4.

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2
x
e3
11. Expand x
in ascending powers of x up to the term x 4 .
2
e

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3
 1
12. (a) Expand  u 2 + 2  in ascending powers of u.
 u 

(b) Expand (e2 ax + e−2 ax )3 in ascending powers of x up to the term x 2 .

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13. Expand (3x 2 + x − 2)e−x in ascending powers of x up to the term x 2 .

14. (a) Expand e − 3 x in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .

(b) Expand (3x + 2)6 in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .

(3x + 2)6
(c) Hence expand 3x
in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .
e

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−2 x
15. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .

(b) Expand (2 + 3x)8 in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .

( 2 + 3 x )8
(c) Hence expand 2x
in ascending powers of x up to the term x 3 .
e

16. (a) Expand e 3 x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .

(b) Hence, expand (2 − x)6  e3 x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .

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x
−
17. (a) Expand e 2
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .

( 2 + 3x ) 5
(b) Hence, expand x
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .
2
e

18. (a) Expand 3

e 2x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .

(b) Hence, expand (4 − 3x) 2  3 e 2 x in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 2 .

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−3 x 2
19. (a) Expand (1 + e ) in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2.

(b) Find the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (1 + e −3 x ) 2 (2 − x)5 .

−5 x
20. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2.

(3 − x) 4
(b) Find the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of .
e5 x

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−2 x
21. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .
2
(b) Expand e px in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 , where p is a constant.

x ( px − 2 ) 22 3
(c) It is given that e = 1 − 2 x + qx 2 −
x + terms involving higher powers of x. Using the results of (a)
3
and (b), or otherwise, find the values of p and q.

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−3 x
22. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x 3 .
11 2
(b) It is given that (1 + ax + bx 2 ) e −3 x = 1 − x − x + cx3 + terms involving higher powers of x. Find the values
2
of a, b and c.

(c) Using the result of (b), estimate the value of − 5e3 .

4x
23. (a) Expand e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x4.
4
1 262
(b) Show that e 3
+ 4
 .
3
27
e

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x x
−
24. (a) Expand e + e
2 2
in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x6.
1
1 7261
(b) Show that e 2
+ 1
 .
2
2880
e

25. Let m be a positive integer.

(a) Expand (1 + x) m in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2.

(1 + x) m
(b) It is given that the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of is 19. Find the value of m.
e4 x

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26. Let n be a positive integer.

(a) Expand (1 + 2 x)n in ascending powers of x up to the term x2.

(1 + 2 x) n 29
(b) It is given that the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of 3x
is . Find the value of n.
e 2

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27. Let n be a positive integer.

(a) Expand ( x 2 + 1)n in ascending powers of x up to the term x 6 .

5 2 296
(b) Given that the coefficient of x in the expansion of e− 4 x ( x 2 + 1)n is − , find the value of n.
5

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28. (a) Expand (x – 2) . 3

(b) It is given that a is a constant.

x
(i) Expand e a in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2.

( x − 2)3
(ii) If the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of x
is –13, find the value(s) of a.
a
e

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3
 1
29. (a) Expand  y +  in descending powers of y.
 y

(b) Expand (ekx + e− kx )3 in ascending powers of x up to the term in x2.

(c) It is given that the coefficient of x2 in the result of (b) is 300. Find the values of k.

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30. Let m be a constant.

(a) Expand e + e in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2.

mx 3x

495
(b) If the sum of the coefficients of x and x2 in the expansion (1 + 2 x)10 (emx + e3 x ) is , find m.
2

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31. (a) Expand each of the following in ascending powers of x up to the term x 2 .

(i) e − ax + x

(ii) (1 + kx)7

2 9
(b) The coefficients of x and x in the expansion of e− ax + x (1 + kx)7 are 2 and respectively, where a and k
8
are positive numbers. Find the values of a and k.

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 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Section 2: Natural Logarithms
If 𝑒 𝑘 = 𝑀 , where 𝑀 > 0 . then 𝑘 = log e 𝑀 . i.e. k is the logarithm of M to the base e .
This expression is usually called the natural logarithm of M , denoted by 𝐥𝐧 𝑴 .

The properties of natural logarithm are similar to those of logarithms to other bases.

If 𝑀 > 0, 𝑁 > 0, 𝑎 > 0, 𝑏 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1 , then

(a) ln 𝑒 = 1 (b) ln 1 = 0
𝑀
(c) ln(𝑀𝑁) = ln 𝑀 + ln 𝑁 (d) ln = ln 𝑀 − ln 𝑁
𝑁
(e) ln 𝑀𝑁 = 𝑁 ln 𝑀 (f) 𝑒 ln 𝑀
=𝑀
log a 𝑀 ln 𝑏
(g) ln 𝑀 = (h) log a 𝑏 =
log a 𝑒 ln 𝑎

Exercise 2:
1. Find the value of each of the following, correct to the nearest 4 decimal places.
ln 5 5 ln 2
(a) ln 6 (b) − ln (c) (d) (2 + ln 3)(5 − ln 7)
ln 2 2 1
7 ln 5 + 3 ln
5

2. Without using a calculate, evaluate each of the following.

1 5
5
(a) ln e 3 (b) ln (c) ln e (d) ln e 7
e2

ln e 2 + eln 2
(e) (eln 5 ) (eln 3 ) (f) e ln 2 + e ln 3 + e ln 5 (g)
e 2 ln 2

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3. Simplify each of the following expressions.

ln b 3 1 ln a 2b3 + ln a
(a) (b) ln + ln a 2 − 3 ln a (c)
ln b a 1
ln a − ln
b

4. Simplify each of the following expressions.

1
ln a 2 b 5 + 2 ln a + ln
3

ln b 5 2 ln a + (ln a ) 2 b
(a) (b) (c)
ln b 2 + ln b ln( a 2 e 4 ) ln a + ln b

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2
(ln ab) ln a ln b
5. Show that −2= + .
ln a ln b ln b ln a

6. Let s = ln 2 and t = ln 5 . Express each of the following in terms of s and t.

1
(a) ln 1000 (b) ln
100

7. Let p = ln 2 and q = ln 3 . Express each of the following in terms of p and q.

32
(a) ln 72 (b) ln
9

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8. Let a = ln 3 and b = ln 5 . Express each of the following in terms of a and b.

45 5e
(a) ln (b) ln
e 9

9. Let a = ln 7 . Express each of the following in terms of a.

1
(a) log 49 e 5 (b) log 7
e2

10. Let p = ln 2 and q = ln 5 . Express each of the following in terms of p and q.

(a) log 2 5e (b) log e

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11. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers to the nearest 4 decimal places if necessary.

(a) e 4 x = 4 (b) 3e 2 x − 5 = 0 (c) e 2 x − 8e x − 9 = 0

(d) ln( 2 x − e) = 1 (e) ln x + ln( x − 1) = ln 6 (f) ln x − 1 = ln( x − 1)

12. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers to the nearest 4 decimal places if necessary.

(a) e 2 x − e x − 12 = 0 (b) 2e 2 x + 3e x − 2 = 0 (c) ln( x + 1) − ln x = ln 3

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13. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers in exact values.

2e x 5
(a) e x +1 + e x = 2 (b) = (c) e x +1 − 2e x = 5
e −3 2
x

ex +1 3
(d) = (e) e 2 x = 3e x + 28 (f) 4e 2 x + 3e x − 1 = 0
ex −1 2

14. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers in exact values.
5 9
(a) e − =4 (b) e + =6 (c) e 2 x − 8e −2 x = 2
x x

ex ex

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15. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers in exact values.

x +1 5
(a) e (2e + 9) = (b) e3 x + 4e 2 x = e 2 x +1 + 4e x +1
x

(c) ln x − ln( x − 4) = 3 (d) 2 ln x − ln( x + 3) = ln 4

2 x −1
(e) 4 = e3 x + 2 (f) ln( 5 x + 1) − ln( x − 3) = ln 2

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16. Solve each of the following equations and give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.

(a) (e 2 x + 2e x ) 2 = 1 (b) e 2 (e x−1 − 2) 2 + 1 = 2e(e x −1 − 2)

17. Solve each of the following equations. Give your answers in exact values.

(a) 2 2 x −1 = e x (b) 3 x +1  e x −1 = 2

18. Solve each of the following equations and give your answers in exact values.
2 x −1 5x
(a) 10 = e
x
(b) 2 x +1 = 3
e

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19. Solve each of the following equations.

(a) (ln ex) 2 − 2 = ln x 2 (b) 2 x ln x = 4ex

(c) (2e) x = e x
2
(d) e3  3ln x = 3e

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Section 3.1: Concepts of Exponential Functions
The graph of y = ex can be represented by
y = ex

Graph

1. The graph lies above the x-axis (i.e. ex > 0 for all values of x)
2. The graph cuts the y-axis at (0, 1)
3. The graph cuts the point (1, e)
Features 4. The graph never touches the x-axis
5. The graph does not have a maximum point or a minimum point
6. y increases as x increases
7. y is approaching 0 as x decreases indefinitely, but will never be 0

1
The exponential graphs 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 and 𝑦 = are symmetrical about the y-axis, i.e.
𝑒𝑥

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Section 3.2: Concepts of Logarithmic Functions
The graph of y = ln x can be represented by
y = ln x

Graph

1. The graph lies on the right hand side of the y-axis (i.e. x > 0)
2. The graph cuts the x-axis at (1, 0)
3. The graph never touches the y-axis
4. The graph does not have a maximum point or a minimum point
Common Features
5. y increases as x increases
6. x is getting closer to 0 as y decreases, but will never be 0
7. y is negative when 0 < x < 1
8. y is positive when 1 < x

The graphs 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 and 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 are symmetrical about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 , i.e.

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Section 4.1: Applications of Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Theory:
If a principal P is deposited at an interest rate of r% per period compounded continuously, then the amount A
rt
after t periods is A = Pe100 .

Example 4.1:
A principal of $25 000 is deposited in a bank at an interest rate of 4% per annum compounded continuously. Find
the amount after 3 years. Correct your answer to the nearest dollar.
Solutions:
The required amount
43
= $25000e 100
 $28187

Section 4.2: Exponential Growth and Exponential Decay

Exponential Growth:
If the initial quantity is Q0 and it grows at a constant growth rate k period continuously, then the quantity Q
after t periods can be obtained by Q = Q0 e kt .

Exponential Decay:
If the initial quantity is Q0 and it grows at a constant growth rate k period continuously, then the quantity Q
after t periods can be obtained by Q = Q0 e − kt .

Example 4.2:
The number of tigers in a forest increases at a constant growth rate continuously. The number of tigers is increased
by 150% after 30 months.
(a) Find the growth rate per month.
(b) Using the result in (a) , find the number of tigers in the forest after 1.25 years if there are 100 000 tigers
initially.
Solutoins:

(a) Let P0 be the number of tigers initially and r% (b) 1.25 years = 15 months
be the growth rate per month.
30 r Number of tigers in the forest after 15 months
P0 (1 + 150%) = P0e 100 3.115
= 100000 e 100
e0.3r = 2.5
 159201
ln 2.5 = 0.3r
r  3.1
∴ The growth rate is 3.1% per month

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Exercise 4:
1. A sum of $75 000 is invested at an interest rate of 6% per annum. Find the amount, correct to the nearest
dollar, after 5 years if the interest is compounded
(a) half-yearly, (b) continuously.

2. A sum of $100 000 is invested at an interest rate of 3% per annum. Find the interest gained , correct to the
1
nearest dollar, after 1 years if the interest is compounded
2
(a) monthly, (b) continuously.

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3. A sum of $20 000 is invested at an interest rate of 5% per annum.
(a) Find the amount after 2 years if the interest is compounded quarterly.
(b) Find the interest gained after 3.5 years if the interest is compounded continuously.
(Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.)

4. Jimmy invests $P in a bank at an interest rate of 6% per annum. The interest is compounded continuously. If
the amount after 2 years is $220 000, find P correct to the nearest integer.

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5. Peter invests $80 000 in a bank at an interest rate of 2% per annum. The interest is compounded continuously.
Find the time required for the total amount to become $90 000. (Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.)

1
6. Alice invests $90 000 in a bank and the interest is compounded continuously. If the amount after 2 years
2
is $95 000, find the interest rate per annum correct to 4 decimal places.

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7. Doris deposits $50 000 in a bank at an interest rate of 4% per annum. The interest is compounded continuously.
(a) Find the interest if the sum of money is deposited for 5 years.
(b) Find the time required to double the interest in (a).
(Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.)

8. Mrs. Wong wants to borrow $100 000 from a bank. She would like to return the whole amount of money and
the interest after 5 years. The bank then offers her two plans, plan A and plan B, as follows.
Plan A: interest rate of 4.5% per annum, interest compounded continuously
Plan B: interest rate of 5% per annum, interest compounded continuously, cash refund of $2500 to be
rewarded after repaying the whole debt
Which plan is better for her? Explain your answer.

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9. Mr. Lam deposits $30 000 in a bank at an interest rate of r% per annum. The interest is compounded
continuously. The total amount obtained after 6 years is $2660 more than that obtained after 3 years. Find the
value of r correct to 4 decimal places.

10. Angela invests a sum of money $P in a bank at an interest rate of 10% per annum, compounded continuously.
She plans to withdraw the entire amount after t years.
(a) Find, in terms of P and t, the interest gained by Angela after t years.
(b) Angela now changes the plan. She wants to invest the sum of money for one more year before withdrawing
the entire amount. As a result, the interest gained will be greater than that in (a) by $P. Find the value of t,
correct to 2 decimal places.

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11. Winnie invested a sum of money $P in a bank at an interest rate of 2% per annum, compounded continuously.
At the same time, Mandy also invested $P in the bank with the same investment plan. After 5 years, Winnie
withdraws the entire amount from the bank, and she restarts the same investment plan with another sum of
money $Q. Then, n years later, the total amount obtained by Winnie from all the investments will be the same
as that obtained by Mandy.
(a) Find, in terms of P, the amount withdrawn by Winnie after 5 years.
(b) If $Q equals half of $P, find the value of n. (Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.)

12. The value of a smartphone is $10 500. Its value depreciates at a constant rate of 12% per annum continuously.
(a) Find the value of the smartphone after 3 years.
(b) How many years will it take for the value of the smartphone to depreciate to $6000?
(Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.)

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13. The population of a city at the beginning of 2019 is 7.2 million. It is known that the population P (in millions)
of the city t years after 2019 is given by P = P0e0.0012t , where P0 is a constant.

(a) Find P0 .

(b) Find the population of the city at the beginning of 2024. (Give your answer correct to the nearest hundred.)

14. The number of trees N in a forest is given by N = 40 000e–0.002t, where t is the number of weeks after a wood
company starts to operate near the forest.
(a) Find the number of trees in the forest when the wood company has operated for 10 weeks.
(b) When will the number of trees in the forest drop to 30 000?
(Give your answers correct to 3 significant figures.)

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15. Owing to water pollution, the number of crabs in a lake decreases exponentially with time. A researcher
predicts that the number of crabs N in the lake t years later is given by N = 75000 e−0.08t . According to such
prediction, find
(a) the number of crabs in the lake 30 months later,
(b) the decrease in the number of crabs from the second year to the third year.
(Give your answers correct to the nearest hundred.)

16. At the beginning of 2020, 10 thousand horses were found in a jungle. At the end of 2023, there were 20
thousand horses in the jungle. A scientist predicts that the number of horses N (in thousands) in the jungle t
years after the beginning of 2020 is given by N = N0ekt, where N0 and k are constants.
(a) Find the values of N0 and k. (Give your answers in terms of natural logarithms if necessary.)
(b) Find the number of horses in the jungle at the end of 2035.

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17. After a rechargeable battery being charged for t hours, the energy E J stored in it is given
by E = 8000 − 5000e −1.8t .
(a) Find the energy stored in the battery initially.
(b) What is the time required for the battery to be charged with energy up to 7000 J?
(Give your answer correct to 4 decimal places.)

18. A specimen of Billy’s breath now contains 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of breath. Suppose that t hours later,
a specimen of Billy’s breath contains x mg of alcohol in 100 mL of breath. It is known that x = Ae −0.3t , where
A is a constant.
(a) Find the value of A.
(b) According to the law of a certain city, a driver is found guilty if a specimen of his breath contains more
than 20 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of breath. Billy does not want to violate the law of the city. Find the least
time for which he should wait before driving. (Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.)

44
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
19. Two computers A and B take t1 minutes and t2 minutes to finish a certain program respectively. The running
cost (C1 dollars) of computer A is given by C1 = 6 − Pek t1 , where P and k are non-zero constants. The running
cost (C2 dollars) of computer B is given by C2 = Q − 5e k t2 , where Q and k are non-zero constants.
When t1 = 0, C1 = 0; when t2 = 0, C2 = 0.
(a) Find the values of P and Q.
(b) If computers A and B take 1 minute and 2 minutes to finish the program respectively, the running costs of
both computers are the same. Find the value of k correct to 3 significant figures.

20. In an experiment, when a certain substance is placed inside a room for t hours, the humidity H % of the room
is given by H = 65 − 35e −0.25t .
(a) Find the initial humidity of the room.
(b) Find the time required for the humidity of the room to become 50%. (Give your answer correct to 4 decimal
places.)
(c) Find the humidity of the room after a very long time.

45
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
21. The initial temperature of a room is 32°C. After the air-conditioner in the room has been switched on for t
A
minutes, the temperature T °C is given by T = 40 − , where A is a constant.
1 + e −0.5t
(a) Find the temperature of the room after the air-conditioner has been switched on for 3 minutes. (Give your
answer correct to 2 decimal places.)
(b) Find the temperature of the room after the air-conditioner operates for a very long time.

− kt
22. The number of a certain species of ants (N thousands) in a jungle after t days is given by N = 10 − ae ,
where a and k are constants. If the number of ants is 5 thousands initially and it will increase to 8 thousands
after 5 days, how many days will it take for the number of ants to increase to 9 thousands? (Give your answer
correct to 2 significant figures.)

46
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
23. The figure shows a container with a long handle. The surface temperature of the container is always 800°C
and the heat is transmitted to the handle. A worker has to hold the shaded region of the handle which is x m
away from the container. The surface temperature T °C of the shaded region is given by T = T0 e kx , where T0
and k are constants. When x = 0.5, T = 150.

(a) Find T0 and k.

(b) The worker can safely hold the shaded region when its surface temperature is 45°C or below. Using the
result of (a), find the least distance between the shaded region and the container such that the worker can
safely hold the shaded region.
(Give your answers correct to 4 decimal places if necessary.)

47
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
24. An injection of a certain drug is given to a patient. After t hours, the concentration C of the drug in the patient’s
blood can be found by C = a + be −1.3t , where a and b are constants. The concentrations of the drug in the
patient’s blood within the first two hours are recorded as follows.

Concentration
1 hour after the injection 3
2 hours after the injection 1

(a) Find the values of a and b.

(b) If the concentration of the drug in blood drops to 0.5, the patient needs a second injection. Using the result
of (a), find the time between the first injection and the second injection given to the patient.
(Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.)

48
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
25. Initially, there are 50 deer in a jungle. The population P of the deer in the jungle after t years is given
a
by P = , where a and b are constants. After 3 years, there are 240 deer in the jungle.
b + 55e −0.6t
(a) Find the values of a and b.
(b) Using the result of (a), find the time required for the population of the deer in the jungle to become 10
times of the initial population.
(Give your answers correct to the nearest integer.)

49
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
26. After adding a chemical into a solution, the temperature T (t ) C of the solution can be modelled
by T (t ) = (t + 1) 2 e − t + k , where t ( 0) is the time measured in seconds after the chemical has been added
and , k are constants. It is given that T (9) = T (19) .

(a) Find  in terms of natural logarithms.

(b) Furthermore, it is given that T (5) = 50 .

(i) Find the value of k.

(ii) Find the temperature of the surface of the solution 10 seconds after the chemical has been added.

50
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
27. Initially, the pH value of the water in a lake is 6. The lake is contaminated due to the leakage of the alkaline
waste. A researcher then records daily the pH value of the water in the lake and models its pH value
by P(t ) = a + t e − k t , where t (  0 ) is the time measured in days, a and k are positive constants.

(a) Find the value of a.

(b) It is found that P(8) − P(4) = 0.91335 . Find the value of k correct to 1 decimal place.

51
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Section 5: Logarithmic Transformation
The power model is given by y = Axn . We can transform the power model into a linear model (i.e. y = mx + c)
by taking logarithms on both sides as follows,
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑛
ln 𝑦 = ln(𝐴𝑥 𝑛 )
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝐴 + ln 𝑥 𝑛
𝐥𝐧 𝒚 = 𝒏 𝐥𝐧 𝒙 + 𝐥𝐧 𝑨
The same can be applied to the exponential model 𝑦 = 𝑀𝑎 𝑥 ,
𝑦 = 𝑀𝑎 𝑥
ln 𝑦 = ln(𝑀𝑎 𝑥 )
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑀 + ln 𝑎 𝑥
𝐥𝐧 𝒚 = 𝒙 𝐥𝐧 𝒂 + 𝐥𝐧 𝑴
Example 5:
During a chemical reaction, the weight of a certain chemical substance decreases gradually. After the chemical
reaction has started for t minutes, the weight y g of the chemical substance can be modelled by y = ae kt , where a
and k are constants. The following table shows the corresponding values of y and t.

t 2 4 6 8
y 6.74 3.03 1.36 0.61
(a) Express ln y in terms of t.
(b) Plot the graph of ln y against t. Hence, estimate the values of a and k correct to 2 significant figures.
(c) Using the round-off values obtained in (b), estimate the weight of the chemical substance after the chemical
reaction has started for 10 minutes. (Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.)
Solutions:
(a) y = ae kt (b) k = slope
ln y = ln ae kt −0.49 − 1.91

= ln a + ln e kt 8−2
= −0.40 (cor. to 2 sig. fig.)
= ln a + kt
ln y = kt + ln a ln a = y-intercept
 2.7
∴ a=e
2.7

= 15 (cor. to 2 sig. fig.)

(c) y = 15e −0.4t

When t = 10,
y = 15e−0.4(10)
= 0.27 (cor. to 2 sig. fig.)
∴ The required weight is 0.27 g.

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William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Exercise 5:
1. It is given that y = 10x−4. Express log y as a linear function of log x.

1
2. It is given that y = e2 x 2 . Express ln y as a linear function of ln x.

3. It is given that y = 1000(0.01x ) . Express log y as a linear function of x.

3
4. It is given that y = e−2 (e 2 ) x . Express ln y as a linear function of x.

53
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
5. In each of the following, a and b are positive constants, and b  1. Express ln y as a linear function of x.
(a) y = ab–x (b) y = aebx

−3
 x
(c) y = 2 x (d) y = 5 
e

6. Rewrite the equation log y = 2 log x + log 2 + 2 in the form y = kxn .

54
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
 1
7. Rewrite the equation ln y = 2 x +  in the form y = ab x . (Give the values of a and b correct to 3 significant
 2
figures.)

8. The following table gives some corresponding values of x and y. Suppose x and y are connected by the
equation y = kxn , where k and n are constants.

x 2 4 6 8 10
y 5.74 13.2 21.5 30.3 39.6

(a) Show that log y = n log x + log k .

(b) (i) Plot the graph of log y against log x .

(ii) Hence, estimate the values of k and n correct to 1 decimal place.

55
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
9. The following table shows some corresponding values of x and y. Suppose x and y are connected by the
equation y = axa + b, where a and b are constants.
x 4 8 12 16 20
y 3.20 9.05 16.63 25.60 35.78
(a) Express log y in terms of log x.
(b) (i) Plot the graph of log y against log x.
(ii) Hence, estimate the values of a and b correct to 1 decimal place.

10. The following table gives some corresponding values of x and y. Suppose x and y are connected by the equation
y = kxn , where k and n are constants.
x 1 2 3 4 5
y 4.30 1.52 0.826 0.538 0.385

(a) Express ln y in terms of ln x .

(b) (i) Plot the graph of ln y against ln x .
(ii) Hence, estimate the values of k and n correct to 1 decimal place.

56
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
11. The following table gives some corresponding values of x and y. Suppose x and y are connected by the
equation y = ab x , where a and b are constants.
x 1 2 3 4 5
y 2.52 1.76 1.23 0.86 0.61
(a) Express log y in terms of x.

(b) (i) Plot the graph of log y against x.

(ii) Hence, estimate the values of a and b correct to 1 decimal place.

12. The following table shows some corresponding values of x and y. Suppose x and y are connected by the
equation y = abx + 1, where a and b are constants.
x 1 2 3 4 5
y 3.75 9.38 23.44 58.59 146.48
(a) Express ln y in terms of x.
(b) (i) Plot the graph of ln y against x.
(ii) Hence, estimate the values of a and b correct to 1 decimal place.

57
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
13. On 1st October, the area A km2 of a snow-covered region on a snow mountain starts to increase. On the same
day, an expert observes the situation and finds that A = kt n , where t is the number of days after the start of his
observation, k and n are constants. The following table shows the corresponding values of A and t.

t 5 10 15 20
A 2.99 3.56 3.94 4.23

(a) Express ln A in terms of ln t.

(b) Plot the graph of ln A against ln t. Hence, estimate the values of k and n correct to 2 significant figures.
(c) When the area of the snow-covered region increases to 5 km2, the expert will carry out an experiment on
the region. Using the round-off values obtained in (b), estimate the date that the expert will carry out the
experiment.

58
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
14. In a laboratory, a scientist performs an experiment and records the temperature (Q °C) of a certain chemical
every three hours. The results are recorded in the following table.
t (hours) 0 3 6 9 12
Q (°C) 5.000 25.78 63.79 113.0 171.3

The scientist proposes that Q can be modelled by Q = ktn + c, where k, n and c are constants.
(a) (i) Express ln(Q – c) as a function of ln t.
(ii) Hence, plot a suitable graph to estimate the values of k and n, correct to 1 decimal place.
(b) The scientist has just performed the experiment for 20 hours. The experiment will fail if the temperature
of the chemical at that moment is greater than 350°C.
Take the round-off values of k and n obtained in (a).
(i) Will the experiment fail?
(ii) The scientist wants to adjust the value of c and then repeat the experiment. Determine the range of c,
correct to 3 significant figures, such that the experiment will not fail and the values of k and n remain
unchanged.

59
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
15. At the beginning of 2000, scientists of a city started to record the concentration C of a certain toxic gas in a
polluted district as follows.

Year (at the beginning of) 2000 2005 2010 2015

Concentration 2.00 2.18 2.36 2.53

Let t be the number of years after the beginning of 2000. It is known that C and t are related by the
equation C = 20 − ae kt , where a and k are constants.
(a) Express ln(20 – C) in terms of t.
(b) Plot the graph of ln(20 – C) against t. Hence, estimate the values of a and k correct to 2 significant figures.
(c) Using the round-off values obtained in (b), estimate the year which the concentration of the toxic gas will
be doubled to that at the beginning of 2000.

60
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
16. 11. Let y = k (2 x 2 − 3)n , where k and n are constants.

(a) Express ln y as a linear function of ln(2 x 2 − 3) .

(b) It is given that the intercepts on the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the graph of the linear function
obtain in (a) are 2 ln 7 and –ln 5 respectively. Find the values of k and n.

61
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
17. The number of certain kind of cells (in thousands) in a laboratory in an experiment is modelled
45
by N = , where t (≥ 0) is the number of hours elapsed after the experiment has started and k and n
1 + kt (3nt )
are constants.

 45 − N 
(a) Express ln   as a linear function of t.
 Nt 
(b) It is given that the intercept on the vertical axis and the slope of the graph of the linear function obtained
in (a) are ln 0.05 and 0.4 ln 3 respectively. Find the values of k and n.

62
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
18. The value V (in million dollars) of a flat can be modelled by
20
V= ,
1 +  e t
where  and  are constants and t is the number of years from now.

 20 
(a) Express ln  − 1 as a linear function of t.
V 
(b) It is given that the intercepts on the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the graph of the linear function
obtained in (a) are ln 2 and 20 ln 2 respectively.
(i) Find  and  .

(ii) Hence, find the value of the flat after 6 years. (Give your answer correct to the nearest hundred dollars.)

63
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
19. In an experiment, the number of mushrooms (in thousands) in the laboratory under different temperatures is
recorded. The temperature T °C in the laboratory can be modelled by the following linear function:
T = ln a + (b ln 5)t ,

where a and b are constants and t ( 0  t  15 ) is the number of days elapsed since the start of the experiment.
It is given that the slope and the intercept on the vertical axis of the graph of this linear function of t are –0.05
ln 25 and ln 200 respectively.
(a) Find a and b.

 150 
(b) It is given that T = ln  − 4  , where N is the number of mushrooms (in thou
 N 
(i) Express N in terms of t.
(ii) Is it possible that there are 5 thousand mushrooms in the laboratory during the first 15 days after the
start of the experiment? Explain your answer.

64
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
20. The price P (in thousand dollars) of a certain product starts to drop after it has been introduced to the market
k
for t weeks. It is known that P and t are related by the equation P = , where k and n are constants. The
(t + 6) n
following table shows the corresponding values of P and t.

t 0 4 8 12
P 6.688 3.813 2.633 1.997

(a) Express ln P in terms of ln(t + 6).

(b) Plot the graph of ln P against ln(t + 6). Hence, estimate the values of k and n correct to 2 significant figures.
(c) When the price of the product drops to $1800 or below, the manufacturer will stop producing the product.
Using the round-off values obtained in (b), estimate at least how many weeks later the manufacturer will
stop producing the product.

65
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
21. A new factory is built near a river. An environmentalist records the lead content in the water of the river every
day. The following table shows the lead content W (mg/m3) in the water t days after the factory started its
operations.
t 1 2 3 4
W 2.300 2.534 2.682 2.793

(a) Plot the graph of ln W against ln t.

(b) Hence, suggest a relation between W and t. (Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.)
(c) Based on the relation found in (b), estimate the time required for the lead content in the water of the river
to increase to 5 mg/m3. (Give your answer correct to the nearest integer.)

66
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
22. A factory produces one particular medicine. The manager of the factory records the corresponding values of
the unit price US$x and the daily sales N (in thousands) of the medicine.
x 2 2.5 3 3.5
N 3.006 2.561 2.182 1.859

(a) Plot the graph of ln N against x.

(b) Hence, suggest a relation between N and x. (Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.)
(c) The daily running cost of the factory is US$2000 and the unit cost of the medicine is US$1.2. Based on
the relation found in (b), find the daily profit of the factory if the unit price of the medicine is US$4,
assuming that all medicine produced can be sold-out. (Give your answer correct to the nearest hundred
dollars.)

67
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Answers:
Exercise 1.1: 25 2 125 3 625 4
3(a) 1 + 5 x + x + x + x + ...
1(a) 403.4288 (b) 1.2214 2 6 24
625 4
(c) 2.1170 (d) 0.3240 (b) 2 + 25 x 2 + x + ...
12
1
2(a) 𝑒 17 (b) 𝑒 5
1 9 1
1
4. 2 + x + x 2 + x3 + ...
(c) 𝑒 8 (d) 𝑒 𝑚 2 8 48

3(a) 𝑒 2𝑚 (b) 𝑒 2𝑚 1 1 1 3
5(a) 1 + x + x 2 + x + ...
3 18 162
3
(c) 𝑒 3𝑚 (d) 𝑒 2
2 1
(b) x + x3 + ...
4(a) e (b) e + 3 3 81
5(a) 𝑒 2𝑛 (b) 𝑒 2 + 𝑒 6 4
6(a) 1 − 2 x + 2 x 2 − x 3 + ...
2 3
6(a) 𝑒 2𝑛 (b) 𝑒 3 − 𝑒 2
1 2 2 4
7(a) −1 (b) 0 or 2 (c) −2 or 2 (b) 2
− 2 x + 2 x 2 − 2 x3 + ...
e e e 3e
4 3 2 4
Exercise 1.2: 7(a) 1 + 2 x + 2 x 2 + x + x + ...
3 3
25 125
1(a) 1 + 5 + + +⋯ 4 4
2 6
(b) 2 + 4 x 2 + x + ...
1 1 1 3
(b) 1 − 4 + 32 − 384 + ⋯
25 2 125 3
9 2 9 3 8. 1 + 5 x + x + x + ...
2(a) 1 + 3x + x + x + ... 2 6
2 2
9 9 27 3
1 1 1 9. − 3 + x − x2 + x +
(b) 1 + x + x 2 + x3 + ... 2 2 8
2 8 48
11e 2 15e 3 67e 4
4 10. e − 3ex + x − x + x +
(c) 1 − 2 x + 2 x 2 − x 3 + ... 2 2 8
3
1 11 2 3 3 115 4
2 2 11. 1 − x + x − x + x +
e 2 e 3 2 24 16 1 152
(d) e2 + e2 x + x + x + ...
2 6
1 3
−4 −4 12(a) + + 3u 2 + u 6
e 2 e 3 u6 u2
(e) e−4 + e−4 x + x + x + ...
2 6
(b) 8 + 48a 2 x 2 +
−3 32e−3 3
−3 −3 2
(f) e − 4e x + 8e x − x + ... 13. − 2 + 3x + x 2 +
3

68
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
9 2 9 3 9 2 9 3
14(a) 1 − 3 x + x − x + 22(a) 1 − 3x + x − x + ...
2 2 2 2

(b) 64 + 576 x + 2 160 x 2 + 4 320 x3 + 33

(b) a = 2 ; b = −4 ; c =
2
(c) 64 + 384 x + 720 x 2 + 144 x3 +
(c) −20
4
15(a) 1 − 2 x + 2 x − x3 +
2
32 3 32 4
3 23(a) 1 + 4 x + 8 x 2 + x + x + ...
3 3
(b) 256 + 3 072 x + 16 128 x 2 + 48 384 x3 +
x2 x4 x6
65 792 3 24(a) 2 + + + + ...
(c) 256 + 2 560 x + 10 496 x 2 + x + 4 192 23 040
3
m(m − 1) 2
9 25(a) 1 + mx + x + ...
16(a) 1 + 3x + x 2 + ... 2
2
(b) 11
(b) 64 − 48 x 2 + ...
26(a) 1 + 2nx + 2n(n − 1) x 2 + ...
1 1
17(a) 1 − x + x 2 + ...
2 8 (b) 5

(b) 32 + 224 x + 604 x 2 + ... n(n − 1) 4 n(n − 1)(n − 2) 6

27(a) 1 + nx 2 + x + x +
2 6
2 2
18(a) 1 + x + x 2 + ... (b) 13
3 9
40 31 28(a) x3 − 6 x 2 + 12 x − 8
(b) 16 − x − x 2 + ...
3 9 x x2
(b) 1 + + + ...
19(a) 4 − 12 x + 27 x 2 + ... a 2a 2

(b) 2144 2
(c) a = − or a = 2
7
25 2
20(a) 1 − 5 x + x + ...
2 3 1
29(a) y 3 + 3 y + +
y y3
3213
(b)
2 (b) 8 + 12k 2 x 2 + ...
4 (c) 5
21(a) 1 − 2 x + 2 x 2 − x 3 + ...
3
(m2 + 9) 2
30(a) 2 + (m + 3) x + x + ...
(b) 1 + px 2 + ... 2

(c) p = 3 ; q = 5 (b) −22 or −20

(1 − a)2 2
31(a)(i) 1 + (1 − a) x + x +
2
1 5
(ii) 1 + 7kx + 21k 2 x 2 + (b) k = ;a=
2 2

69
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
Exercise 2: 1
19(a) e or (b) e 2e
1(a) 0.8959 (b) 1.4056 (c) 0.1077 (d) 9.4634 e

7 (c) 0 or 1.69 (d) 0.99

2(a) 3 (b) −2 (c) 5 (d)
5
(e) 15 (f) 10 (g) 1 Exercise 4:
3(a) 6 (b) 0 (c) 3 1(a) $100764 (b) $101239
1 2(a) $104597 (b) $104603
(ln a) 2
4(a) 2 (b) (c) 4 3(a) $22089.72 (b) $3824.92
2
6(a) 3(s + t) (b) −2(s + t) 4. 195122 5. 5.89

7(a) 3p + 2q (b) 5p – 2q 6. 2.1627%

8(a) 2a + b − 1 (b) b + 1 – 2a 7(a) $11070.14 (b) 9.16

5 2 8. $125232 < $125903 ; Plan A

9(a) (b) −
2a a 9. 2.6255
q +1 1 t
10(a)
p
(b)
p+q 10(a) $ P(e10 − 1) (b) 22.52
1
11(a) 0.3466 (b) 0.2554 (c) ln 9 11(a) $Pe 10
(b) 30.11
e 12(a) $7325.60 (b) 4.66
(d) e (e) 3 (f)
e −1
13(a) 7.2 (b) 7243300
1
12(a) ln 4 (b) −ln 2 (c) 14(a) 39200 (b) 144
2
15(a) 61400 (b) 4900
2 5
13(a) ln (b) ln15 (c) ln
e +1 e−2 16(a) 10 ;
ln 2
(b) 160000
4
(d) ln 5 (e) ln 7 (f) −ln 4
17(a) 3000 J (b) 0.8941
14(a) ln 5 (b) ln 3 (c) ln 2
18(a) 80 (b) 4.62
4e 3
15(a) −ln 2 − 1 (b) 1 (c) 3 19(a) 5 (b) −1.61
e −1
2(ln 2 + 1) 20(a) 30% (b) 3.3892 (c) 65%
(d) 6 (e) (f) No solution
4 ln 2 − 3 21(a) 26.92°C (b) 24°C
16(a) −0.88 (b) 1.86 22. 8.8
ln 2 ln 2 − ln 3 + 1 23(a) 800 ; −3.3480 (b) 0.8596 m
17(a) (b)
2 ln 2 − 1 ln 3 + 1 24(a) 0.25 ; 10.09 (b) 2.85 hours
1 ln 3 + 1 25(a) 2899 ; 3 (b) 5 years
18(a) (b)
2 − ln10 ln 5 − 2

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William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
ln 2 10(a) ln y = n ln x + ln k
26(a) (b)(i) 32 (ii) 62.25°C
5
(b)(i)
27(a) 6 (b) 0.1

Exercise 5:
1
1. log y = −4 log x + 1 2. ln y = ln x + 2
2
3
3. log y = −2 x + 3 4. ln y = x−2
2
5(a) ln y = ln a − x ln b (b) ln y = ln a + bx (ii) n = −1.5 ; k = 4.3
1 11(a) log y = (log b) x + log a
(c) ln y = ln 2 + ln x (d) ln y = ln 5 + 3 − 3ln x
2
(b)(i)
6. y = 200 x 2
7. y = (2.72)(7.39) x

8(a) log y = n log x + log k

(b)(i)

(ii) a = 3.6 ; b = 0.7

12(a) ln y = (ln b) x + ln a + ln b

(b)(i)

(ii) n = 1.2 ; k = 2.5

9(a) log y = log a + (a + b) log x

(b)(i)

(ii) a = 0.6 ; b = 2.5

(ii) a = 0.4 ; b = 1.1

71
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
13. (a) ln A = n ln t + ln k 2 ln 7
16(a) ln y = n ln(2 x 2 − 3) + ln k (b)
ln 5
(b) n = 0.24 ; k = 2.0
 45 − N 
17(a) ln   = ln k + (n ln 3)t
 Nt 
(b) n = 0.4 ; k = 0.05

 20 
18(a) ln  − 1 = ln  +  t
V 
(b)(i)  = 2 ;  = −0.05 (ii) $8059200

19(a) a = 200 ; b = −0.1

(c) t = 45.5 ; 16th November 150

(b)(i) N =
4 + 200  5−0.1t
14(a)(i) ln(Q − c) = ln k + n ln t
(ii) 12.7 < 15 ; Possible
(ii) n = 1.5 ; k = 4.1
20(a) ln P = −n ln(t + 6) + ln k

(b) n = 1.1 ; k = 4.7

(b)(i) 371.7°C > 350°C ; Yes

(c) 14 weeks
(ii) c  −16.7
21(a)
15(a) ln(20 − C ) = kt + ln a

(b) a = 18 ; k = −0.0020

(b) W = 2.3t 0.14

(c) 256 days
(c) t = 58.9 ; 2058

72
William Chan
 Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
22(a)

(b) N = 5.7e −0.32 x

(c) $2400

73
William Chan