EXPONENTIAL AND

LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS
PRECALCULUS
CHAPTER 3

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• This Slideshow was developed to accompany the textbook
• Precalculus
• By Richard Wright
• https://www.andrews.edu/~rwright/Precalculus-
RLW/Text/TOC.html
• Some examples and diagrams are taken from the textbook.
Slides created by
Richard Wright, Andrews Academy
[email protected]

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3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
In this section, you will:
• Evaluate exponential functions with base b.
• Graph exponential functions with base b.
• Evaluate and graph exponential functions with base e.

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Exponential function
• 𝑦 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏𝑥
• a is initial amount (y-int)
• b is base
• x is exponent
• If b > 1
• Exponential Growth
• If 0 < b < 1
• Exponential Decay

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3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Domain: All real numbers

• Range: (0, ∞)

• Horizontal Asymptote:
•y=0

• y-intercept: (0, 1)

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Transformations • Domain: All Real

• 𝑦 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 𝑥−ℎ + 𝑘 • Range:
• a vertical stretch • (k, ∞) if a > 0
• If a is negative, then • (-∞, k) if a < 0
reflected over x-axis • HA: y = k
• h moves right • y-int: (0, a + k) if h = 0
• k moves up

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Graph by making a table

• Graph 𝑦 = 4−𝑥 + 3

• Decay
• HA: y = 3

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Exponential functions are • Solve 16 = 2𝑥+2

one-to-one
• Each x gives a unique y

16 = 2𝑥+2
24 = 2𝑥+2
Exponents must be equal
4=𝑥+2
2=𝑥

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1 𝑥
• Solve = 81
3

𝑥
1
= 34
3
𝑥 −4
1 1
=
3 3
Exponents must be equal
𝑥 = −4

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Natural Base
• e ≈ 2.718281828…

• 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑒𝑥

Slope of any tangent line to e^x is e^x

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 3-01 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Compound Interest • Compounded Continuously

𝑟 𝑛𝑡 • 𝐴 = 𝑃𝑒 𝑟𝑡
• 𝐴 =𝑃 1+𝑛
• A = current amount
1 𝑛
• P = principle (initial amount) • 𝑒 = 1 + 𝑛
• r = yearly interest rate (APR) • When 𝑛 → ∞
• n = number of
compoundings per year
• t = years

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3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
In this section, you will:
• Evaluate logarithmic functions with base b.
• Evaluate logarithmic functions with base e.
• Use logarithmic functions to solve real world problems.

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 3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

• 𝑓 𝑥 = log 𝑏 𝑥
• “log base b of x”

• Logarithms are inverses of exponential functions

• 𝑦 = log 𝑏 𝑥 ↔ 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦

• Logarithms are exponents!

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 3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

• Evaluate • log 2
1
64
• Think “What exponent of
the base gives the big
number?”
• log 5 125

Think 5𝑥 = 125
53 = 125
So log 5 125 = 3

1
Think 2𝑥 =
64
1
2−6 = 64
1
So log 2 64 = −6

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 3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

• Calculator • Use your calculator to

• LOG → log10 → log evaluate log 300

• LN → log 𝑒 → ln

2.477

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 3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

• Properties of Logarithms • Simplify

• log 𝑏 1 = 0 • log 5 1
• log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1
• log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑥 • log 𝑒 𝑒
• If log 𝑏 𝑥 = log 𝑏 𝑦, then
𝑥=𝑦 • 8log8 30

log 5 1 = 0

log 𝑒 𝑒 = ln 𝑒 = 1

8log8 30 = 𝑥
Rewrite as an exponential
log 8 𝑥 = log 8 30
𝑥 = 30

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 3-02 LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

• Solve
• log 3 𝑥 2 + 4 = log 3 29

Since logs are the same

𝑥 2 + 4 = 29
𝑥 2 = 25
𝑥 = ±5

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3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS
In this section, you will:
• Use properties of logarithms to expand logarithmic expressions.
• Use properties of logarithms to condense logarithmic expressions.
• Use the change-of-base formula to evaluate logarithms.
• Graph logarithmic functions.

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Properties of Logarithms
• Product Property: log 𝑏 𝑢𝑣 = log 𝑏 𝑢 + log 𝑏 𝑣
𝑢
• Quotient Property: log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 𝑢 − log 𝑏 𝑣
𝑣
• Power Property: log 𝑏 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑛 log 𝑏 𝑢

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Write each log in terms of ln 2 and ln 5.

• ln 10

5
• ln
32

ln 10
ln 2 ∙ 5
ln 2 + ln 5

5
ln
32
5
ln 5
2
ln 5 − ln 25
ln 5 − 5 ln 2

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Expand • ln
4𝑥+1
8
• log 3𝑥 2 𝑦

log 3 + log 𝑥 2 + log 𝑦

log 3 + 2 log 𝑥 + log 𝑦

1
ln 4𝑥 + 1 2 − ln 8
1
ln(4𝑥 + 1) − ln 8
2

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Condense • 4 ln 𝑥 − 4 − 2 ln 𝑥
1
• log 𝑥 + 5 log 𝑥 − 3
3

1
5
log 𝑥 3 + log 𝑥 − 3
1
5
log 𝑥 3 𝑥 − 3

ln 𝑥 − 4 4 − ln 𝑥 2
𝑥−4 4
ln
𝑥2

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Condense
1
• log 3 𝑥 + log 3 𝑥 − 2
5

1
log 3 𝑥 + log 3 𝑥 − 2
5
1
log 3 𝑥 𝑥 − 2
5
1
log 3 𝑥 𝑥 − 2 5
5
log 3 𝑥 𝑥 − 2

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Change-of-Base Formula • Evaluate

• log 𝑏 𝑐 =
log𝑎 𝑐 • log 3 17
log𝑎 𝑏

log 17
= 2.579
log 3

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Because logs are inverses of

exponentials, the x and y is
switched and the graph is
flipped over the line y = x.
• 𝑦 = log 𝑏 (𝑥 − ℎ)
• Domain: 𝑥 > ℎ
• Range: all real
• VA: 𝑥 = ℎ
• x-int: (h + 1, 0)

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• To graph a logarithm
• Find and graph the vertical asymptote
• Make a table
• Use change-of-base formula
log 𝑥
• log 𝑏 𝑥 =
log 𝑏
• Or use the logBASE function on some TI graphing calcs
• MATH → logBASE

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 3-03 PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMS

• Graph 𝑦 = log 2 (𝑥 + 1)

log 𝑥+1
Change-of-base gives 𝑦 = log 2 𝑥 + 1 → 𝑦 = log 2
x |y
-1 | Error
0 | 0
1 | 1
2 | 1.58
3 | 2
4 | 2.32
5 | 2.58
6 | 2.81
7 | 3

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3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
In this section, you will:
• Use one-to-one property to solve exponential equations.
• Use one-to-one property to solve logarithmic equations.
• Solve general exponential equations.
• Solve general logarithmic functions.

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• Solve Exponential 1 𝑥
• = 125
Equations 5

• Shortcut Method
• 1-to-1 method
(rewrite with the
same base)

𝑥
1
= 125
5
𝑥 −3
1 1
=
5 5
𝑥 = −3

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• General Method • 6 2𝑡+5 + 4 = 11
• Take log of both sides
• 5 − 3𝑒 𝑥 = 2

5 − 3𝑒 𝑥 = 2
−3𝑒 𝑥 = −3
𝑒𝑥 = 1
ln 𝑒 𝑥 = ln 1
𝑥=0

6 2𝑡+5 + 4 = 11
6 2𝑡+5 = 7
7
2𝑡+5 =
6
𝑡+5
7
log 2 2 = log 2
6
7
𝑡 + 5 = log 2
6
7
𝑡 = −5 + log 2 ≈ −4.778
6

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• 𝑒 2𝑥 − 7𝑒 𝑥 + 12 = 0

𝑒𝑥 − 3 𝑒𝑥 − 4 = 0
𝑥
𝑒 −3=0 𝑒𝑥 − 4 = 0
𝑒𝑥 = 3 𝑒𝑥 = 4
ln 𝑒 𝑥 = ln 3 ln 𝑒 𝑥 = ln 4
𝑥 = ln 3 ≈ 1.099 𝑥 = ln 4 ≈ 1.386

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• Logarithmic Equations • ln 𝑥 − ln 3 = 0
• Shortcut Method
• 1-to-1 Property

ln 𝑥 − ln 3 = 0
ln 𝑥 = ln 3
𝑥=3

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• General Method • log 4 𝑥 + log 4 (𝑥 − 9) = 1
• Exponentiate both sides
• 6 + 3 ln 𝑥 = 4

6 + 3 ln 𝑥 = 4
3 ln 𝑥 = −2
2
ln 𝑥 = −
3
2
ln 𝑥 −
𝑒 =𝑒 3
2
𝑥 = 𝑒 −3 ≈ 0.513

log 4 𝑥 + log 4 (𝑥 − 9) = 1
log 4 𝑥 𝑥 − 9 = 1
4log4 𝑥 𝑥−9 = 41
𝑥 𝑥−9 =4
2
𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 4 = 0
9 ± 92 − 4 1 −4
𝑥=
2 1
9 ± 97
𝑥= ≈ 9.424, −0.424
2

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 3-04 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND
LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
• Graphical method • Solve log 2 𝑥 = ln 2𝑥
• If the other methods
don’t apply
• Make = 0
• Find the x-int

log 2 𝑥 − ln 2𝑥 = 0
Graph and find x-int
𝑥 = 4.786

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3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
In this section, you will:
• Use exponential growth and decay models.
• Use the Gaussian model.
• Use the logistic growth model.
• Use logarithmic models.

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3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
Exponential Growth 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑒 𝑏𝑥 Exponential Decay 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑒 −𝑏𝑥

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 3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• Suppose a population • How long to double?
growing according to the
model 𝑃 = 800𝑒 0.03𝑡
where t is in years.
• What is the initial size?

Let 𝑡 = 0.
𝑃 = 800𝑒 0.03 0
= 800

1600 = 800𝑒 0.03𝑡

2 = 𝑒 0.03𝑡
ln 2 = ln 𝑒 0.03𝑡
ln 2 = 0.03𝑡
𝑡 = 23.10 𝑦𝑟𝑠

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 3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• Radioactive decay
• 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑒 −𝑏𝑥
• 𝐴 = 𝐴0 𝑒 𝑘𝑡
• Half-life
• Time it takes for ½ of
the material to decay

Very complicated, but we will use a simple model

The dating method depends on the initial conditions. These are not really known for
prehistorical situations.

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 3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• C14 has a half-life of 5700 years. If a sample starts with 3 g of
C14, how much will remain after 100 years?

Find decay constant

𝐴 = 𝐴0 𝑒 𝑘𝑡
1.5 = 3𝑒 𝑘 5700
1
= 𝑒 𝑘 5700
2
1
ln = ln 𝑒 𝑘 5700
2
1
ln = 𝑘 5700
2
𝑘 ≈ −1.216 × 10−4
Find model
−1.216×10−4 𝑡
𝐴 = 3𝑒
Plug in 100 years
−1.216×10−4 (100)
𝐴 = 3𝑒 ≈ 2.97 𝑔

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 3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• Gaussian Model “The Average
Curve”
• Normal Distribution
𝑥−𝑏 2
−
• 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑒 𝑐

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3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• Logistic Growth Model
• Used for population
𝑎
•𝑦=
1+𝑏𝑒 −𝑟𝑥

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 3-05 EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC
MODELS
• Logarithmic Models • Richter Scale
• Earthquake magnitude
• 𝑦 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 ln 𝑥
• 𝑦 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 log 𝑥 • Decibels
• Loudness of sound

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