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Exponents and Logarithms

The document discusses properties of exponential functions including solving exponential equations and introduces logarithms as inverses of exponential functions. It provides examples of solving logarithmic equations and evaluates logarithmic expressions.

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Ken Jung
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46 views

Exponents and Logarithms

The document discusses properties of exponential functions including solving exponential equations and introduces logarithms as inverses of exponential functions. It provides examples of solving logarithmic equations and evaluates logarithmic expressions.

Uploaded by

Ken Jung
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

I.

Exponents

Exponential functions are of the form f (x) = abx , where a and b are
constants such that a 6= 0 and b is a positive number *not equal to 1* (What
happens if b = 1?). Let’s look at some properties of exponential functions.

1. Graph f (x) = 2x and g(x) = ( 21 )x . What conclusions can you


make?

2. Why can we say that if ax = ay and a 6= 1, then x = y ?

1
This obvious relation will prove to be most important. It can be seen in
action in exponential equations:
3. Solve the following for x:
(a) 42 = 4x

(b) 23n+1 = 64

(c) 42x = 8x−1

2 −3
(d) 5x = 25x

2
x x
(e) 327 = 273

II. Logarithms

1. If f (x) = 3x , then what is f −1 (81)?

As we have just seen, exponential functions have inverses, too. (Why?)


These are so common that they have their own name: logarithms. So, in the
problem above, f −1 (81) = log3 81. This can be thought of as ”the power 3
must be raised in order to get 81”. The 3 is called the base of the logarithm,
just as 3 is the base of 3x . 81 is called the argument of the logarithm. Any
logarithm that is missing a base is assumed to have base 10.

Note how we can write the expression both in exponential and logarith-
mic form:

4 = log3 81
and

34 = 81
2. Write a general log equation for ac = b.

3
3. Solve the following:
(a) log2 4

(b) log2 8

(c) log2 16

(d) loga ap

4. Why must a = b when we have logc a = logc b?

5. Solve log4 (2x + 3) > 2

6. Solve log1/5 x > 3

7. Evaluate log4 128

4
8. Compute the following:

(a) log16 8

(b) log3/2 (4/9)

(c) log3√3 243

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