Exponential

and
Logarithmic
Functions
Exponential Function
An exponential function
y = f(x) = b
x
where b>0 and b
cannot be equal to 1.

The domain of the exponential function with
base b is the set of real numbers. Its range
is the set of positive real numbers.
Properties of Exponents
If b is any real number and n is any positive
integer, then
1. If n = 1, b
n
= b
2. if n > 1, b
n
= b b
n -1

3. if b 0, b
n
=
4. if b 0, b
0
= 1

-
= n
b
1
=
Exponential Equations
An equation in which the unknown is an exponent is called an
exponential equation.
For example, 2
x
= 16, 3
x + 2
= 81

To solve an exponential equation, write both sides as
exponential expressions with the same base. If the
expressions are equal and the bases are equal, then
the exponents must be equal.

This method can be used because the exponential
function is one to one.
Example # 1
Solve for b: 9 = b
2 / 3

Solution

9 = b
2 / 3

9
(3/ 2)
= b
2/ 3 (3/ 2)
3
3
= b
1

27 = b

Example # 2
Solve for x: 125 = 5
x

Solution:
125 = 5
x

5
3
= 5
x

3 = x
Graphing Exponential
Functions
Basic Properties of the Graph of
Exponential Function
1. All graphs pass through the point (0, 1).
b
0
= 1 for any permissible base b.
2. All graphs are continuous, with no holes or
jumps.
3. The x axis is the horizontal asymptote.
4. If b > 0, then b
x
increases as x increases.
5. If 0<b<1, then b
x
decreases as x increases.
6. The function is one to one.

With your Graphing Calculator
graph each of the following
y = 2
x
y = 3
x
y = 5
x
y = 1
x
Determine what is happening when the
base is changing in each of these graphs.
y = 2
x
x y = 2
x
y = 3
x
-2 1/4 1/9
-1 1/3
0 1 1
1 2 3
2 4 9
3 8 27
y = 3
x
y = 2
x
x y = 5
x
y = 1
x
-2 1/25 1
-1 1/5 1
0 1 1
1 5 1
2 25 1
3 125 1
y = 3
x
y = 5
x
y = 1
x
y = 2
x
y = 3
x
y = 5
x
y = 1
x
Determine
where each of
the following
would lie?
y=10
x

y=4
x
y = (3/2)
x


y = 10
x
y = 4
x
y = (3/2)
x
We also discovered that
changes in a would
change the y-intercept on its
corresponding graph.

Now lets turn our attention
to a useful property of
exponential functions.
x
y a b = -
f(x) = 2
x
f(x) = 2
x-3

f(x) = 2
x+2
-
3
f(x) = -(2)
x-4
2
With your Graphing Calculator
graph each of the following
y = 1
x
y = (1/2)
x
y = (1/3)
x
Determine what is happening when the
base is changing in each of these graphs.
x
y = log

x

1/4 2
1
1 0
2 -1
4 -2
8 -3
y = log

x

x = ()
y
y = 2
x
x
y = ()
x
y = (1/3)
x
-2 4 9
-1 2 3
0 1 1
1 1/3
2 1/9
3 1/8 1/27
y = 3
x
y = 5
x
y = 1
x
y = (1/3)
x
y = ()
x
f(x) = ()
x-3
- 2 = (2)
-x+3
- 2
f(x) = 2
-x
= (1/2)
x

A new Number
718 . 2
0
!
1
~ =

n
e
A new Number
+ + + + + + =
! 5
1
! 4
1
! 3
1
! 2
1
! 1
1
! 0
1
e
We could use a spreadsheet to determine an approximation.
+ + + + + + =
120
1
24
1
6
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
e

=
0
!
1
n
e
y = 2
x
x y = 2
x
y = 3
x
-2 1/9
-1 1/3
0 1 1
1 2 3
2 4 9
3 8 27
y = 3
x
y = e
x
Graph y = e
x

y = e
x
y = e
x+2
Graph:
y = e
x+2

x + 2 = 0
x = -2
If a quantity increases by the same proportion r in each unit
of time, then the quantity displays exponential growth and
can be modeled by the equation
y C r
t
( ) 1
Where
C = initial amount
r = growth rate (percent written as a decimal)
t = time where t 0
(1+r) = growth factor where 1 + r > 1
You deposit $1500 in an account that pays 2.3% interest compounded yearly,
1) What was the initial principal (P) invested?
2) What is the growth rate (r)? The growth factor?
3) Using the equation A = P(1+r)
t
, how much money would you have after
2 years if you didnt deposit any more money?
3) A P r
A
A
t
= +
= +
=
( )
( . )
$ .
1
1500 1 0 023
1569 79
2
1) The initial principal (P) is $1500.
2) The growth rate (r) is 0.023. The growth factor is 1.023.
You deposit $1500 in an account that pays 2.3% interest compounded yearly,
1) What was the initial principal (P) invested?
2) What is the growth rate (r)? The growth factor?
3) Using the equation A = P(1+r)
t
, how much money would you have after
2 years if you didnt deposit any more money?
3) A P r
A
A
t
= +
= +
=
( )
( . )
$ .
1
1500 1 0 023
1569 79
2
1) The initial principal (P) is $1500.
2) The growth rate (r) is 0.023. The growth factor is 1.023.
Compound Interest
( )
nt
n
r
P A + = 1
You deposit $5000 into an account that pays 4.5 %
interest. What is the balance of the account after
10 years if the interest is compounded quarterly?
A = Final amount = unknown
P = Principal = $5000
r = rate of interest = .045
n = number of times compounded per year = 4
t = number of years compounded = 10
Compound Interest
( )
nt
n
r
P A + = 1
You deposit $5000 into an account that pays 4.5 %
interest. What is the balance of the account after
10 years if the interest is compounded quarterly?
A = unknown
P = $5000
r = .045
n = 4
( )
10 4
4
045 . 0
1 5000

+ = A
t = 10
88 . 7821 $ = A
Compound Interest
( )
nt
n
r
P A + = 1
You deposit $5000 into an account that pays 4.5 %
interest. What is the balance of the account after
10 years if the interest is compounded quarterly?
A = unknown
P = $5000
r = .045
n = 4
( )
10 52
52
045 . 0
1 5000

+ = A
t = 10
04 . 7840 $ = A
weekly?
52
Compound Interest-continuously
rt
Pe A =
You deposit $5000 into an account that pays 4.5 %
interest. What is the balance of the account after 10
years if the interest is compounded continuously?
A = Final amount = unknown
P = Principal = $5000
r = rate of interest = .045
t = number of years compounded = 10
Compound Interest-continuously
rt
Pe A =
You deposit $5000 into an account that pays 4.5 %
interest. What is the balance of the account after 10
years if the interest is compounded continuously?
A = unknown
P = $5000
r = .045
t = 10
10 045 . 0
5000

= e A
56 . 7841 $ = A
Bacteria Growth
kt
ne y =
You have 150 bacteria in a dish. It the constant of
growth is 1.567 when t is measured in hours. How
many bacteria will you have in 7 hours?
y = Final amount = unknown
n = initial amount = 150
k = constant of growth = 1.567
t = time = 7
Bacteria Growth
kt
ne y =
You have 150 bacteria in a dish. It the constant of
growth is 1.567 when t is measured in hours. How
many bacteria will you have in 7 hours?
y = unknown
n = 150
k = 1.567
t = 7
7 567 . 3
150
-
= e y
678 . 977 , 706 , 8 = y
bacteria 678 . 977 , 706 , 8
If a quantity decreases by the same proportion r in each unit
of time, then the quantity displays exponential decay and
can be modeled by the equation
y C r
t
= ( ) 1
Where
C = initial amount
r = growth rate (percent written as a decimal)
t = time where t 0
(1 - r) = decay factor where 1 - r < 1
You buy a new car for $22,500. The car depreciates at the rate
of 7% per year,
1) What was the initial amount invested?
2) What is the decay rate? The decay factor?
3) What will the car be worth after the first year? The second
year?
1) The initial investment was $22,500.
2) The decay rate is 0.07. The decay factor is 0.93.
3 1
22 500 1 0 07
20 925
1
) ( )
, ( . )
$ ,
y C r
y
y
t
=
=
=
y C r
y
y
t
=
=
=
( )
, ( . )
$ .
1
22 500 1 0 07
19460 25
2
y = 2
x
x y
-2 1/4
-1
0 1
1 2
2 4
3 8
x y
1/4 -2
-1
1 0
2 1
4 2
8 3
x = 2
y
How do we
solve this
exponential
equation
for the variable y?
y = 2
x
x = 2
y
y = 2
x
x y
-2 1/4
-1
0 1
1 2
2 4
3 8
x y
1/4 -2
-1
1 0
2 1
4 2
8 3
x = 2
y
y=log
2
x

LOGARITHMS
exponential logarithmic
b > 0
A > 0
A b
m
= m A
b
= ) ( log
2 ) 9 ( log
3
=
9 3
2
=
exponential logarithmic
3 ) 125 ( log
5
=
125 5
3
=
( ) 3 log
8
1
2
=
8
1
3
2 =

5 ) 32 ( log
2
1
= ( ) 32
5
2
1
=

A b
m
= m A
b
= ) ( log
y
x 2 =
y x = ) ( log
2
Properties of Logarithms
Product Property
Quotient Property
Power Property
Property of Equality
Change of Base Formula
a
x
x
a
10
10
log
log
log =
a
x
x
b
b
a
log
log
log =
Product Property
n m n m
a a a
+
=
) ( log ) ( log ) ( log n m n m
b b b
+ =
multiplication addition
multiplication addition
Product Property
) 4 ( log ) 16 ( log ) 4 16 ( log
2 2 2
+ =
) 2 ( log ) 2 ( log ) 2 2 ( log
2
2
4
2
2 4
2
+ =
2 4 ) 2 ( log
6
2
+ =
6 6 =
Quotient Property
n m
n
m
a
a
a

=
) ( log ) ( log ) ( log n m
b b
n
m
b
=
division subtraction
division subtraction
Quotient Property
( ) ) 4 ( log ) 32 ( log log
2 2
4
32
2
=
( ) ) 2 ( log ) 2 ( log 8 log
2
2
5
2 2
=
2 5 ) 2 ( log
3
2
=
3 3 =
Power Property
( )
n m
n
m
a a

=
log
b
(m
p
)
log
b
(m
p
) = plog
b
(m)
p
Power Property
( ) ) 2 ( log 7 2 log
2
7
2
=
1 7 7 =
7 7 =
Property of Equality
C A then =
) ( log ) ( log C A if
b b
=
u = ) 25 ( log
5
Evaluate
25 5 =
u
2
5 5 =
u
2 = u
2 ) 25 ( log
5
=
u = ) 81 ( log
3
Evaluate
81 3 =
u
4
3 3 =
u
4 = u
4 ) 81 ( log
3
=
( ) u =
32
1
2
log
Evaluate
32
1
2 =
u
5
2
1
2 =
u
5 = u
( ) 5 log
32
1
2
=
5
2 2

=
u
u = ) 7 ( log
7
Evaluate
7 7 =
u
1
7 7 =
u
1 = u
1 ) 7 ( log
7
=
u n
n
= ) ( log
5
Evaluate
5
n n
u
=
5 = u
5 ) ( log
5
= n
n
u = ) 1 ( log
8
Evaluate
1 8 =
u
0
8 8 =
u
0 = u
0 ) 1 ( log
8
=
Evaluate
log
3
(25) = u
3
u
= 25
3
u
= 5
2

??????
Solve for x
log
2
(x+5) = 4
2
4
= x + 5
16

= x + 5
11

= x
Solve for x
log
x
(32) = 5
x
5
= 32
x
5
= 2
5

x = 2
Evaluate
log
5
(568)
= 3.941
5 log
568 log
10
10
=
Evaluate
log
3
(25)
= 2.930
3 log
25 log
10
10
=
x
y = log
2
x

1/4 -2
-1
1 0
2 1
4 2
8 3
y = log
2
x

y = log
3
x

y = log
5
x

x = 2
y
) ( log
2 3
5
y x
Expand
) ( log ) ( log
2
5
3
5
y x +
) ( log 2 ) ( log 3
5 5
y x +
product property
power property
Expand
) ( log ) ( log
4
5
3 5
5
z y x
) ( log ) ( log ) ( log
4
5
3
5
5
5
z y x +
quotient property
product property
) ( log 4 ) ( log 3 ) ( log 5
5 5 5
z y x +
power property
( )
4
3 5
5
log
z
y x
( ) ) ( log ) ( log ) ( log
5
5
2
5
7
5
z y x +
) ( log ) ( log
5 2
5
7
5
z y x
Expand
quotient property
product property
) ( log 5 ) ( log 2 ) ( log 7
5 5 5
z y x
power property
( )
5 2
7
5
log
z y
x
) ( log ) ( log ) ( log
5
5
2
5
7
5
z y x
distributive property
z y x
3 3 3
log 2 log 6 log 5 +
Condense
power property
product property
2
3
6
3
5
3
log log log z y x +
( )
2
3
6 5
3
log log z y x
( )
2
6 5
3
log
z
y x
quotient property
4
10
2
10 10
log log log
2
1
z y x
z y x
10 10 10
2
1
log 4 log 2 log
Condense
group / factor
product property
( )
4
10
2
10 10
log log log
2
1
z y x +
( )
4 2
10 10
log log
2
1
z y x
|
.
|

\
|
4 2
2
1
10
log
z y
x
quotient property
Power property
( )
4 2
10
log
z y
x
=
4 5 2 3
log log log log w z y x
e e e e
+
( ) ( )
4 2 5 3
log log log log w y z x
e e e e
+ +
w z y x
e e e e
log 4 log 5 log 2 log 3 +
Condense
re-organize
group
4 2 5 3
log log log log w y z x
e e e e
+
( ) ( )
4 2 5 3
log log w y z x
e e

( )
4 2
5 3
log
w y
z x
e
product property
Power property
quotient property
Solve for x
3 9 3 + = x x
12 2 = x
6 = x
( ) ( ) 3 log 9 3 log
3 3
+ = x x
Property of
Equality
( ) ( ) 3 log 9 3 log
3 3
+ = x x
Solve for x
6 = x check
( ) ( ) 3 6 log 9 ) 6 ( 3 log
3 3
+ =
( ) ( ) 3 6 log 9 18 log
3 3
+ =
( ) ( ) 9 log 9 log
3 3
=
checks!
( ) ( ) 3 log 9 3 log
3 3
+ = x x
Solve for x
3 9 3 + = x x
12 2 = x
6 = x
{ } 6
( ) ( ) ( ) n n 6 log 2 log 7 log
4 4 4
= +
Solve for n
n n 6 14 7 =
14 = n
( ) ( ) n n 6 log ) 2 ( 7 log
4 4
=
Condense
left side
Property of
Equality
( ) ( ) ( ) n n 6 log 2 log 7 log
4 4 4
= +
Solve for n
14 = n check
( ) ( ) ( ) ) 14 ( 6 log 2 14 log 7 log
4 4 4
= +
( ) ( ) ( ) 84 log 12 log 7 log
4 4 4
= +
( ) ( ) 84 log ) 12 ( 7 log
4 4
=
( ) ( ) 84 log 84 log
4 4
=
checks!
( ) ( ) n n 6 log ) 2 ( 7 log
4 4
=
( ) ( ) ( ) n n 6 log 2 log 7 log
4 4 4
= +
Solve for n
n n 6 14 7 =
14 = n
{ } 14
Solve for x
( ) ( ) 3 1 log 1 log
2 2
= + + x x
) 1 )( 1 ( 2
3
+ = x x
1 8
2
= x
2
9 x =
x = 3
( ) 3 ) 1 )( 1 ( log
2
= + x x
Condense
left side
Convert to
exponential
form
Solve for x
( ) ( ) 3 1 log 1 log
2 2
= + + x x
3 = x check 3 = x check
( ) ( ) 3 1 3 log 1 3 log
2 2
= + +
( ) ( ) 3 2 log 4 log
2 2
= +
3 1 2 = +
3 3 =
checks!
( ) ( ) 3 1 3 log 1 3 log
2 2
= + +
( ) ( ) 3 4 log 2 log
2 2
= +
fails
The argument
must be positive
Solve for x
( ) 3 ) 1 )( 1 ( log
2
= + x x
) 1 )( 1 ( 2
3
+ = x x
1 8
2
= x
2
9 x =
x = 3
{ } 3
( ) ( ) 3 1 log 1 log
2 2
= + + x x
Solve for x
3 3
2 2
+ + = x x
3 9
2
+ + = x x
6 0
2
+ = x x
) 2 )( 3 ( 0 + = x x
( ) 2 3 log
2
3
= + + x x
2 3 = = x or x
Convert to
exponential
form
( ) 2 3 log
2
3
= + + x x
Solve for x
3 = x check
checks!
( ) 2 3 ) 3 ( ) 3 ( log
2
3
= + +
( ) 2 3 3 9 log
3
= +
( ) 2 9 log
3
=
2 2 =
2 = x check
( ) 2 3 2 ) 2 ( log
2
3
= + +
( ) 2 3 2 4 log
3
= + +
( ) 2 9 log
3
=
2 2 =
checks!
( ) 2 3 log
2
3
= + + x x
Solve for x
3 3
2 2
+ + = x x
3 9
2
+ + = x x
6 0
2
+ = x x
) 2 )( 3 ( 0 + = x x
2 3 = = x or x
{ } 2 , 3
Solve for x
) 19 log( ) 5 log( ) 7 3 ( = x
) 19 log( ) 5 log( 7 ) 5 log( 3 = x
) 5 log( 7 ) 19 log( ) 5 log( 3 + = x
( )
( ) ) 5 log( 3
) 5 log( 7 ) 19 log( +
= x
943 . 2 = x
( ) ( ) 19 log 5 log
7 3
=
x
) 5 log( 3 ) 5 log( 3
( ) ( )
2 4
7 log 5 log =
x
Solve for x
) 7 log( ) 2 ( ) 5 log( ) 4 ( = x
( )
( ) ) 5 log( 4
) 7 log( 2
= x
605 . 0 = x
) 5 log( 4 ) 5 log( 4
Solve for x
) 9 log( ) 5 ( ) 11 log( ) 1 2 ( = + x x
) 9 log( 5 ) 11 log( 1 ) 11 log( 2 x x = +
) 11 log( ) 9 log( 5 ) 11 log( 2 = x x
( ) ) 11 log( ) 9 log( 5 ) 11 log( 2 = x
( ) ) 9 log( 5 ) 11 log( 2
) 11 log(

= x
387 . 0 = x
( ) ( )
x x 5 1 2
9 log 11 log =
+
Solve for x
) 5 log( ) 1 ( ) 3 log( ) 2 ( + = + x x
) 5 log( 1 ) 5 log( ) 3 log( 2 ) 3 log( + = + x x
) 3 log( 2 ) 5 log( ) 5 log( ) 3 log( = x x
( ) ) 3 log( 2 ) 5 log( ) 5 log( ) 3 log( = x
( )
( ) ) 5 log( ) 3 log(
) 3 log( 2 ) 5 log(

= x
( ) ( )
1 2
5 log 3 log
+ +
=
x x
151 . 1 = x
Solve for x
) 3 log( ) 8 9 ( ) 7 log( ) 2 3 ( = x x
) 3 log( 8 ) 3 log( 9 ) 7 log( 2 ) 7 log( 3 = x x
) 3 log( 8 ) 7 log( 2 ) 3 log( 9 ) 7 log( 3 = x x
( ) ) 3 log( 8 ) 7 log( 2 ) 3 log( 9 ) 7 log( 3 = x
( )
( ) ) 3 log( 9 ) 7 log( 3
) 3 log( 8 ) 7 log( 2

= x
209 . 1 = x
( ) ( )
8 9 2 3
3 log 7 log

=
x x
Solve for x
) ln( ) 2 3 ( ) 15 ln( e x =
2 3 ) 15 ln( = x
x 3 2 ) 15 ln( = +
x =
+
3
2 ) 15 ln(
x = 569 . 1
( ) ( )
2 3
ln 15 ln

=
x
e
1
Solve for x
) ln( ) 6 5 ( ) ln(
3
7
e x + =
6 5 ) ln(
3
7
+ = x
x 5 6 ) ln(
3
7
=
x =

5
6 ) ln(
3
7
x = 031 . 1
1
6 5
3 7
+
=
x
e
( ) ( )
6 5
3
7
ln ln
+
=
x
e
) 2 log( ) 1 3 ( ) log(
7
5
= x
Solve for x
) 2 log( 3 ) 2 log( ) log(
7
5
x = +
( )
( )
x =
+
) 2 log( 3
) 2 log( ) log(
7
5
x = 172 . 0
1 3
2 7 5

=
x
( ) ( )
1 3
7
5
2 log log

=
x
) 2 log( 1 ) 2 log( 3 ) log(
7
5
= x