Math 3201

7.1 Introduction to Logarithmic Functions

Inverse of a Function: this is obtained by switching the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦. The graph of the
inverse of a function is reflected in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

Complete the table of values for the exponential function 𝑦 = 10𝑥 and its inverse 𝑥 = 10𝑦 .

𝑦 = 10𝑥 𝑥 = 10𝑦

𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦
−2 −2
−1 −1
0 0
1 1
2 2

Graph both on the grid provided:

y


x

                  



















Complete the following:

1. What is the relationship between the graphs of 𝑦 = 10𝑥 and 𝑥 = 10𝑦 ? Think about
both graphs in relation to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥?

2. State the domain for each function.

3. State the range for each function.

4. State the intercepts for each function.

5. Describe the end behavior for each function.

The equation 𝑦 = 10𝑥 represents an exponential function. The equation 𝑥 = 10𝑦
represents the inverse of the exponential function.

Normally when we write an equation, we get "y" by itself, yet in the equation 𝑥 = 10𝑦 , "𝑥 "
is by itself instead. To get "y" by itself in this equation, we write it in a different form called
logarithmic form.

The equation 𝑥 = 10𝑦 can also be written as:

𝑦 = log10 𝑥

This reads "log base 10 of 𝑥 ", and it means: "What exponent would we have to raise 10 to
in order to get 𝑥.

Note: The base of a logarithmic function can be some value other than 10, but 10 is the
most common value. When we use the log button on a calculator, it automatically
assumes a base of 10. Also, if we write a log equation without writing the base value:
𝑦 = log𝑥 then it is automatically assumed that the base is 10. That is:

log10 𝑥 = log𝑥

In general, the inverse of the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑏)𝑥 can be written as 𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑏)𝑦 ,
or in logarithmic form as:

𝑦 = 𝑎log 𝑏 𝑥

“Ben” and “Benny”

A simple way to remember how to convert from exponent form to logarithmic form is:
 Comparing the Properties of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Examining the Impact of the "𝒂" value on a Logarithmic Function

Many logarithmic functions are written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎log10 𝑥. What impact does the
value of "𝑎 " have on the appearance of the graph?

Consider the following graphs:

𝑦 = log𝑥 𝑦 = 4log𝑥 𝑦 = −4log𝑥

y y
y

  
  
  
  
  
x
x x

                     
           
 

 

 

 

 

 

1. What is the impact on the graph of the function:

(A) if a > 0?

(B) if a < 0?
2. Does a affect the 𝑥-coordinate or the y-coordinate? Is this a vertical transformation or a
horizontal transformation?

3. Which point is easily identified from the graph?

4. Which characteristics of the graphs of logarithmic functions differ from the

characteristics of the graphs of exponential functions?

Important Points:
 When a > 0, the y-values increase as the 𝑥-values increase. This is an increasing
function from Quadrant IV to Quadrant I.

 When a < 0, y-values decrease as the 𝑥-values increase. This is a decreasing function
from Quadrant I to Quadrant IV.

 Logarithmic functions do not have a y-intercept but do have a restricted domain,

x > 0.
Question 1:

(A) What is the domain of the logarithmic function y = log 𝑥?

(B) Use your calculator to evaluate log(3). What do you get? Explain why this is the case.

(C) Use your calculator to evaluate log(0). What do you get? Explain why this is the case.

Natural Logarithms
Natural logarithms are special case of logs in which the base is "𝑒", where 𝑒 is a constant,
irrational number 𝑒 = 2.718281828. ..

The constant "e" can be used as the base in an exponential function to give 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑒)𝑥 . The
inverse would be 𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑒)𝑦 . We can write this in logarithmic form as

𝑦 = 𝑎log 𝑒 𝑥 or 𝑦 = 𝑎ln𝑥

The latter format is the standard one for writing a logarithm with base 𝑒 and is called the
natural logarithm.
Comparing the Graphs of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝒙 and 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧𝒙

𝑦 = log10 𝑥 𝑦 = ln𝑥
y y

 
 
 
 
 
x x

                     
 
 
 
 
 
 

Notice that changing the base of the logarithm from 10 to 𝑒 slightly changes some of the
y-values. However, the properties of the graphs are the same.
Matching Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Graphs

Example 1:

Textbook Questions: page 420 - 422 #1, 2, 5 a, b, d, e, 6, 7, 8