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Exponentials and Logarithms: The Exponential Function

The exponential function ex is defined as the function whose derivative is equal to itself. It is an important function in mathematics due to this special property. The exponential function ex has an inverse function, the natural logarithm ln x, where ln x and ex are reflections of each other across the line y = x. The natural logarithm ln x has a derivative of 1/x, and its integral is ln x + c. When solving equations involving exponentials or natural logarithms, the exponential or natural logarithm can be taken of both sides to isolate the function.

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64 views

Exponentials and Logarithms: The Exponential Function

The exponential function ex is defined as the function whose derivative is equal to itself. It is an important function in mathematics due to this special property. The exponential function ex has an inverse function, the natural logarithm ln x, where ln x and ex are reflections of each other across the line y = x. The natural logarithm ln x has a derivative of 1/x, and its integral is ln x + c. When solving equations involving exponentials or natural logarithms, the exponential or natural logarithm can be taken of both sides to isolate the function.

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mirali74
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Exponentials and Logarithms

The Exponential Function


The exponential function, written exp(x) or ex, is the function whose
derivative is equal to its equation. In other words:

Because of this special property, the exponential function is very


important in mathematics and crops up frequently.
Like most functions you are likely to come across, the exponential has an
inverse function, which is logex, often written ln x (pronounced "log x").
In the diagram, ex is the red line, lnx the green line and y = x is the
yellow line. Notice that lnx and ex are reflections of one another in the
line y = x .

The Natural Logarithm


ln x is also known as the natural logarithm. The derivative of ln x is 1/x.
It therefore follows that the integral of 1/x is ln x + c .

Solving Equations
If we are given equations involving exponentials or the natural logarithm,
remember that you can take the exponential of both sides of the
equation to get rid of the logarithm or take the natural logarithm of both
sides to get rid of the exponential.
Example

Solve 0.5 = ex
Then ln(0.5) = ln(ex)
ln(0.5) = x

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