EXPONENTIAL

AND
LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS
Revision : Indices
Examples
a) 3
4
= 3 3 3 3
= 81
b) Solve 2
n
= 1024
Try 2
8
= 256 (too low)
2
9
= 512
(too low)
2
10
= 1024

n = 10
b
a - is called the BASE a
b - is the INDEX or EXPONENT
c) Find the smallest integer value of n such that 3
n
> 10 000.
Try 3
7
= 2187 ( < 10 000)
3
8
= 6561 ( < 10 000)
3
9
= 19683 ( > 10 000)
n = 9
Graphs of a
x
Exponential
Functions
For y = a
x
if a > 1
The graph:
Is always positive
Never crosses the x-axis
Is increasing
Passes through (0,1)
Is called a growth function
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
(0,1)
y = a
x
For y = a
x
if 0 < a < 1
The graph:
Is always positive
Never crosses the x-axis
Is decreasing
Passes through (0,1)
Is called a decay function
Notes:
y = a
x
- is called an exponential function
- has base a
- a = 0
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
(0,1)
y = a
x
Examples
a) If you deposit 100 at the Northern Rock Bank, each year the
deposit will grow by 15% (compound interest).
i. Find a formula for the amount in the bank after n years.
ii. After how many years will the balance exceed 500?
i. After year 0: y
0
= 100
After year 1: y
1
= y
0
1.15 = 115
After year 2: y
2
= y
1
1.15 = (1.15)
2
100 = 132.25
After year 3: y
3
= y
2
1.15 = (1.15)
3
100 = 152.0875
Formula : y
n
=
(1.15)
n
100
ii.
Try n = 9 : y
9
= (1.15)
9
100 = 351.7876292
Try n = 10 : y
10
= (1.15)
10
100 = 404.5557736
Try n = 11: y
11
= (1.15)
11
100 = 465.2391396
The balance will exceed 500 after 12 years.
Try n = 12: y
12
= (1.15)
12
100 = 535.0250105
After how many years will the balance exceed 500?
b) The rabbit population on an island increases by 12% per year.
i. Find a formula for the number of rabbits on the island after n years.
ii. How many years will it take for the population to at least double?
i.
After year 0:
r
0

After year 1: r
1
= r
0
1.12
After year 2: r
2
= r
1
1.12 = (1.12)
2
r
0
Formula : r
n
=
(1.12)
n
r
0
For the population to at least double :
(1.12)
n
> 2
ii.
Try: (1.12)
3
= 1.404928
Try : (1.12)
4
= 1.57351936
Try : (1.12)
5
= 1.762341683
Population will double within 7 years.
Try : (1.12)
6
= 1.973822685
Try : (1.12)
7
= 2.2106841407
(too low)
(too low)
(too low)
(too low)
( > 2 )
3. Exponential Functions
If we plot f (x) and
f `(x) for f (x) = 2
x
:
f (x)
f `(x)
(0,1)
We can see that f `(x)
is below f (x).
If we plot f (x) and
f `(x) for f (x) = 3
x
:
f (x)
f `(x)
(0,1)
We can see that f `(x)
is above f (x).
For some value between 2 and 3, f (x) = f `(x).
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
If we plot f (x) and
f `(x) for f (x) = 2.7
x
:
f (x)
f `(x)
(0,1)
We can see that f `(x)
is just below f (x).
If we plot f (x) and
f `(x) for f (x) = 2.8
x
:
f (x)
f `(x)
(0,1)
We can see that f `(x)
is just above f (x).
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
From these graphs we can see that:
If f(x) is an exponential function then f `(x) is also an exponential
function
f `(x) = k f (x)
A value exists between 2.7 and 2.8 for which f ` (x) = f (x)
This value is: 2.718..
This value is denoted by: e
If f (x) = e
x
then f `(x) = e
x
f (x) = 2.718
x
= e
x
is called the exponential function to the base e
f (x) = f `(x) = e
x
(0,1)
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
5
10
x
y
Examples
a) Evaluate e
5
.
e
5
= 148.4131591
= 148.4 (1dp)
b) Solve for x, e
x
= 5.
x = 1.609437912
= 1.61 (2dp)
Logarithms
For the function ( ) which is an exponential function,
x
f x e =
1
it's inverse ( ) exists. The inverse is a reflection in the line f x y x

=
y
x
If we consider the function ( ) 2
x
f x =
1
2
Then its inverse is the logarithmic function ( ) log f x x

=
This is pronounced as log to the base 2 of x.
If then log
x
a
y a x y = =
If log then
y
a
y x x a = =
Examples
a) Write the following in logarithmic form:
i) 4
3
= 64 ii) 2
5
= 32 iii) p = 8
2
log
8
p = 2
8

= 2
3
(Check: 2 2 2 = 8)
b) Express the following in exponential form:
i) log
2
8 = 3 i) log
2

1
/
128
= -7
1
/
128 = 2
-7
log
4
64 3 = log
2
32 5 =
7
1 1
(check: 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 128

= =

Laws of Logarithms
Law A: log
a
a
n
= n
Evaluate:
a) log
2
8 b) log
3
1 c) log
2
1
/
16
2 8
n
=
3 n =
3 1
n
=
0 n =
1
2
16
n
=
4 n =
Law B:
Law C:
Law D:
log ( ) log log
a a a
xy x y = +
log log log
a a a
x
x y
y
| |
=
|
\ .
log log
n
a a
x n x =
2 2 3 3 3
Evaluate:
1
(a)log 8 log 4 ( )log 27 log 3 ( ) log 81
4
b c +
( )
2
log 8 4 =
2
log 32 =
5 =
3
27
log
3
| |
=
|
\ .
3
log 9 =
2 =
1
4
3
log 81 =
3
log 3 =
1 =
Logarithmic Equations
Rules learned can now be used to solve logarithmic equations.
log
3
x + log
3
x
3
(log
3
8 + log
3
x) = 0
log
3
x + log
3
x
3
log
3
8 - log
3
x = 0
log
3
x
3
log
3
8 = 0
log
3
x
3
= log
3
8
x
3
=

8
x =

2
3
3 3 3
1. Solve for 0, log log log 8 0 x x x x > + =
2) log
4
x + 2 log
4
3 = 0
log
4
x + log
4
3
2
= 0
log
4
x = - log
4
3
2

log
4
x = log
4
3
-2

x = 3
-2
x =
1
/
3
2
x =
1
/
9

3) 3
2x-7
= 243
3
5
= 243
5 = 2x - 7
2x - 7 = 5
2x = 12
x =

6
4. Solve for 0, log (2 1) log (3 10) log 11
a a a
x x x x > + + =
(2 1)(3 10) 11 x x x + =
2
6 3 20 10 11 x x x x + =
2
6 28 10 0 x x =
2(3 1)( 5) 0 x x + =
1
5
3
x or x = =
since 0, 5 x x > =
Natural Logarithms
Logarithms to the base e are called natural logarithms.
log
e
x = ln x i.e. log
2.718
x = ln x
Examples
a)
Solve the following, rounding correct to 1 d.p.:
ln

x = 5
log
e
x = 5
x = e
5
x = 148.41316

x = 148.4 (1dp)

b) e
x
= 7
ln e
x
= ln
7
xlog
e
e = ln
7
(Take natural logs of each side)
x = ln 7
x = 1.9459101
x = 1.9 (1dp)

(log 1)
e
e =
c) 3
7x+2
= 30
ln 3
7x+2
= ln 30
(7x+2) ln 3 = ln 30
7x+2 =
ln 30
/
ln 3

7x+2 = 3.0959033
7x = 1.0959033
x = 0.1565576
x = 0.2 (1dp)
d) For the formula P(t) = 50 e
-2t
i) Evaluate P(0).
ii) For what value of t is P(t) = P(0)?
i) P(0) = 50 e
2(0)
= 50 e
0
= 50

ii) P(0) = 25

50 e
-2t
= 25
e
-2t
=
ln e
-2t
= ln
Remember:
ln e = log
e
e
-2t = -0.6931471
t = 0.3465735
t = 0.3 (1dp)
Formula from experimental data
If data from an experiment is analysed, say x and y, and plotted,
and it is found to form a straight line then x and y are related by
the formula:
y = mx + c
If data from an experiment is analysed, say x and y, and plotted,
and it is found to form an exponential growth curve then x and y
are related by the formula:
y = k x
n
(k and n are constants)
x
y
0.5 1 1.5 2
5
10
x
y
Using logarithms y = k x
n
can be expressed as a straight line.
y = k x
n
log
10
y = log
10
k x
n
log
10
y = log
10
k + log
10
x
n
log
10
y = log
10
k + n log
10
x

log
10
y = n log
10
x + log
10
k
Y = mX + C
If

y = k x
n
Then log
10
y = n log
10
x + log
10
k
Where: Y = log
10
y
X = log
10
x
C = log
10
k
n = gradient
When / why do we use this?
If we are given two variables of data (x and y) related in some
way and when plotted they produce an experimental growth curve,
through (0,0), then the previously given formula can be used to
work out k and n. This can then be used to decide the formula to
relate them (y = k x
n
).
If we are given two variables of data in logarithmic form (log
10
x
and log
10
y) and when plotted a straight line is produced then it can
be said that the original data (x and y) would produce an exponential
growth curve. If it passes through (0,0) the previously given
formula can be used to calculate k and n and hence find the formula
relating them (y = k x
n
).
Example
Experimental data are given in the table:
x
y
2.4 5.62 18.2 31.6 129
8.3 26.3 115 209 1100
i) Show that x and y are related in some way.
ii) Find the values of k and n (to 1dp) and state the formula that
connects x and y.
i)
log
10
x
log
10
y
0.38 0.75 1.26 1.50 2.11
0.92 1.42 2.06 2.32 3.04
As a straight
line is produced
when log
10
x is
plotted against
log
10
y then the
formula relating
x and y is of the
form y = k x
n
.
ii) Take 2 points on best fitting straight line:(0.38,0.92) & (2.11,3.04)
Put them into Y = nX + C, where Y=log
10
y, X=log
10
x, C=log
10
k.
0.92 = 0.38n + C
3.04 = 2.11n + C
1
2
2 - 1
2.12 = 1.73n
n = 1.225433526
n = 1.2 (1dp)
Substitute 1.225 into 1
0.92 = 0.38(1.225) + C
0.92 = 0.46566 + C
C = 0.4543352601
C = log
10
k
log
10
k = 0.45433
k = 10
0.45433

k = 2.846657779
k = 2.8 (1dp)
Formula relating x and y is: y = k x
n

y = 2.8 x
1.2

Steps:
i) Make a table of log
10
x and log
10
y.
ii) Plot log
10
x against log
10
y.
iii) If a straight line is produced then state that the form is y = k x
n
.
iv) Choose 2 points from the best fit line (2 far apart are best).
v) Substitute 2 points into Y = nX + C to form 2 equations.
vi) Solve by simultaneous equations.
vii) Value for n can be used in final formula.
viii) Value for C is used to calculate k (i.e. C = log
10
k k =10
C
).
ix) State complete formula : y = k x
n
.
Steps: Version 2
i) Make a table of log
10
x and log
10
y.
ii) Plot log
10
x against log
10
y.
iii) If a straight line is produced then state that the form is y = k x
n
.
iv) Choose 2 points from the best fit line (2 far apart are best).
v) Use these two points to find the gradient. This will give you n.
vi) Use one of the points and y b = m(x a) to find the equation of the line.
vii) You now have the value of C.
viii) Use the value for C to calculate k (i.e. C = log
10
k k =10
C
).
ix) State complete formula : y = k x
n
.
Related Graphs
The rules previously learned for graph manipulation can be
applied to logarithmic and exponential curves.
As e
x
and ln x are opposite operations (inverse) then the graph of
y = ln x is a reflection of y = e
x
about y = x.
y = x y = e
x
y = ln x
4 2 2 4 6 8
4
2
2
4
6
8
x
y
2 1 1 2
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = e
x
y = e
x
+a
a
Shift
up a
6 4 2 2 4 6
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = ln x

y = ln (x+a)
1-a
Shift
left a
2 1 1 2
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = e
x
y = e
-x

Reflection
in y-axis
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = -ln x

y = ln x
Reflection
in x-axis
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = e
x
y = e
(x-b)

(b,1)
Shift
right b
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
x
y
y = ln x

y = a ln x
Stretch by
a about
the x-axis
Examples
a) Sketch the graph of y = log
2
x.
i)
On the same diagram sketch y = log
2

1
/
x
.
y = log
2
x
x = 2
y
If y = 0, x = 1
If y = 1, x = 2
( 1 , 0 ) , ( 2 , 1 )
y = log
2

1
/
x
y = log
2
x
-1

y = -log
2
x

Graph is a
reflection of
y = log
2
x
about the x-
axis.
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
3
2
1
1
2
3
x
y
y = log
2
x
y = log
2
1
/x
ii) Sketch the graph of y = log
2
x again.
On the same diagram sketch y = log
2
2x

.
y = log
2
2x
y = log
2
2 + log
2
x
y = 1 + log
2
x
Graph of y = log
2
x
moves up 1 place.
Crosses x-axis when y=0
1 + log
2
x = 0
log
2
x = -1
x = 2
-1
x = .

( , 0)
5 10
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
5
x
y
y = log
2
x
y = log
2
2x
Further Formula from
Experimental Data
If data from an experiment is analysed, say x and y, and plotted,
and it is found to form an exponential growth curve then x and y
are related by the formula:
y = a b
x
(a and b are constants)
0.5 1 1.5 2
5
10
x
y
Using logarithms y = a b
x
can be expressed as a straight line.
y = a b
x
log
10
y = log
10
a b
x
log
10
y = log
10
a + log
10
b
x
log
10
y = log
10
a + x log
10
b

log
10
y = x log
10
b + log
10
a
Y = mx + c
If

y = a b
x
Then log
10
y = x log
10
b + log
10
a
Where: Y = log
10
y
x = x
c = log
10
a
m = log
10
a
When / why do we use this?
If we are given two variables of data (x and y) related in some
way and when plotted they produce an experimental growth curve,
through (0,+?), then the previously given formula can be used to
work out a and b. This can then be used to decide the formula to
relate them (y = a b
x
).
If we are given two variables of data in logarithmic form (x and
log
10
y) and when plotted a straight line is produced then it can be
said that the original data (x and y) would produce an exponential
growth curve. If it passes through (0,+?) the previously given
formula can be used to calculate a and b and hence find the formula
relating them (y = a b
x
).
Example
Experimental data are given in the table:
x
y
2.15 2.13 2.00 1.98 1.95
83.33 79.93 64.89 62.24 59.70
i) Show that x and y are related by the formula y = a b
x
.
ii) Find the values of a and b (to 1dp) and state the formula that
connects x and y.
i)
x
log
10
y
2.15
1.921 1.903 1.812 1.794 1.776
1.93
57.26
2.13 2.00 1.98 1.95 1.93
1.758
As a straight
line is produced
when x is
plotted against
log
10
y then the
formula relating
x and y is of the
form y = a b
x
.
ii) Take 2 points on best fitting straight line:(2.15,1.921) & (1.93,1.758)
Put them into Y = mx + c, where Y=log
10
y, x=x, m = log
10
b, c=log
10
a.
1.921 = 2.15m + c
1.758 = 1.93m + c
1
2
-1
1.921 = 2.15m + c
-1.758 = -1.93m - c
1
3
0.163 = 0.22m
m = 0.740909
Substitute m = 0.740909 into 1
1.921 = 2.15(0.740909) + c
1.921 = 1.5929545 + c
c = 0.3280454
m = log
10
b
log
10
b= 0.740909
b = 10
0.740909
b = 5.5069241
b= 5.5 (1dp)
c = log
10
a
log
10
a = 0.3280454
a = 10
0.3280454
a = 2.1283618
a= 2.1 (1dp)
Formula relating x and y is: y = a b
x

y = 2.1 (5.5)
x

Steps:
i) Make a table of x and log
10
y.
ii) Plot x against log
10
y.
iii) If a straight line is produced then state that the form is y = a b
x
.
iv) Choose 2 points from the best fit line (2 far apart are best).
v) Substitute 2 points into Y = mx + c to form 2 equations.
vi) Solve by simultaneous equations.
vii) Value for m is used to calculate b (i.e. m = log
10
b b = 10
m
).
viii) Value for c is used to calculate a (i.e. c = log
10
a a = 10
c
).
ix) State complete formula : y = a b
x
.