Logarithmic Functions and Equations

Intended Learning Outcome

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

Logarithmic Function
Definition

base b is denoted by 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏a, and is defined as

Let a, b, and c be positive real numbers such that b ≠ 1. The logarithm of a with

c = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑎 if and only if 𝑎 = bc

Note:

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

exponential form, c is an exponent; this means that the logarithm is actually an

2. In the logarithmic form 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥, x cannot be negative.

exponent. Hence, logarithmic and exponential functions are inverses.

3. The value of 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 can be negative.

Logarithmic Equations and Logarithmic Functions

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

Logarithmic Equation Logarithmic Function

Function of the form f(x) = log𝑏

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

Example log𝑥 2 = 4 g(x) = log3 𝑥

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

Solving Logarithmic Equation

Property PROPERTIES
of Logarithmic Equations EXAMPLES

If b > 1, then the logarithmic function y = log𝑏 𝑥 is increasing for all x. If 0 < b <1,
then the logarithmic function y = log𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing for all x. This means that
I. logb b  1

log𝑏 𝑢 = log𝑏 𝑣 if and only if u = v.

II. logb 1  0

logb x
III. b x
IV. logb b  x
x

LAWS EXAMPLES
Product Law
I. logb MN  logb M  logb N
Quotient Law
M
logb  log M  log N
II. N b b
Power Law
III. logb M  n logb M
n

Techniques. Some strategies for solving logarithmic equations:

1. Rewriting to exponential form;

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

a. log5 𝑥 = 4
Example 1. Find the value of x in the following logarithmic equations.

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

b. log𝑥 36 = 2
x = 625

Solution. log𝑥 36 = 2
x2 = 36 (change into exponential form)
x2 – 36 = 0
(x+6)(x-6) = 0 (factoring difference of two squares)

2
 x = 6, -6 Note: -6 is not defined in the given
logarithmic equation since the base cannot

c. log2 𝑥 + log2(𝑥 − 6) = 4
be negative.

Solution. log2 𝑥 + log2(𝑥 − 6) = 4

log2 𝑥(𝑥 − 6) = 4 (applying law of logarithm)
x (x – 6) = 24 (change into exponential form)
x2 – 6x = 16 (distributive property)
x2 – 6x – 16 = 0 (subtract 16 both sides)
(x-8)(x+2) = 0 (factor)

d. log3 6𝑥 = log3 24
x = 8,-2

Solution. log3 6𝑥 = log3 24

6x = 24 (one-to-one property)
x=4 (divide both sides by 6)

Graph of a Logarithmic Function

Let us begin with the parent function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑥. Because every

with the form 𝑓(𝑥) =

logarithmic function of this form is the inverse of the exponential function

𝑏𝑥, their graphs are reflections of each other across the line y = x, as shown below.

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

Example 1. Sketch the graph of y =

log2x. Solution:

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by
assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log2x
is as follows:

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 1 1 1 1
16 8 4 2
x 1 2 4 8

y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

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

y = log2x Convert into exponential

equation log2x = -4 → by = x You need to
rewrite log2x=y in the
form by=x. Here, the base is 2

𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → 2−4 = 𝑥
and the exponent is -4.
Substitute for b, y, and x in the
exponential equation, bY=x.
1 1
24 16
x= =
Solve for x.
Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

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

Example 2. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

2
Solution:

assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as

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

1 1 1 1
follows:

2 4 8 16
X 16 8 4 2 1

Y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

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

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation.
2
𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = −4 → by = x You need to rewrite 𝑥 = 𝑦 in the
form
2
by=x. Here, the base is ½ and the
exponent is -4.
1
=𝑥
𝑏 = 𝑥 → (−4)
𝑦 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
2 exponential equation, bY=x.
1
(1 11
x=
) 4 (
= 16 Solve for x.
)
=
2 16

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

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

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Example 3. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔4𝑥 .
Solution:
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by
assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log4x is as
follows:
1 1
1 4
x 1 4 16

6
y -2 -1 0 1 2
Now, let us solve for x given y = log4 x where y=-2 from the table.

y = log4x Convert into exponential equation.

log4x = -2 → by =x Rewrite log4x=y in the form by=x.
Here, the base is 4 and the exponent

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

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

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

Plotting of points for y=log3x Graph of y=log4x

Example 4. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

4

Solution:

assigning values for y then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as

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

1 1
follows:

4 16
x 16 4 1
6
y -2 -1 0 1 2

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Now, let us solve for x given 𝑦 = 𝑥 where y=-2 from the table.

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation

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

𝑏 = 𝑥 → (−2) = 𝑥
1
𝑦 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
4 exponential equation, bY=x.
1
(1 11
x=
) 2 (
= 16 Solve for x.
)
=

8
 4 16

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

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

Plotting of points for Graph of

In addition to the graphs of the logarithmic function, let us also take a

look at how the graph of the parent function y=logbx transform either by shifting to
the left or right, shifting up or down, stretches, and compresses.