Notes Topic 2.9 Key - Log Expressions

Notes: (Topic 2.
9) Logarithmic Expressions Solutions
Important Concept: Every operation has exactly one inverse (opposite) operation. We learn inverse operations because
these will allow us to solve equations involving various operations.
Operation Example Inverse Operation
Addition 𝑥+3=7 Subtraction
Multiplication 3𝑥 = 7 Division
Cubing 𝑥! = 7 Cube Root
Exponentiation 3" = 7 ????
Recently, we learned about exponential functions and their properties. We would like to solve equations involving
exponential functions, which creates the need of an inverse operation related to exponentiation.
#
Big Idea: Just as we can write rational numbers in decimal form and fraction form &0.5 = $* , we can also write
equations in exponential or logarithmic form. These forms create equivalent statements that represent the same
claim. We are not changing the problem when we convert back and forth, we are simply re-writing the equation in an
equivalent form.
Exponential Form Logarithmic Form Notes
𝑏% = 𝑐 log & 𝑐 = 𝑎
Notation: If the base of a log expression is 10 , this is called the “common logarithm” and is written without a base. For
example, log 3 is understood to have a base of 10 -- log 3 = log10 3 .
Example 1: Convert the following equations from exponential form to logarithmic (log) form.
a) 3$ = 9 b) 10" = 𝑦 c) 𝑟 ' = 𝑤 d) 𝑦 = 𝑒 !"
log ! 9 = 2 log 𝑦 = 𝑥 log ( 𝑤 = 𝑡 ln 𝑦 = 3𝑥
Example 2: Convert the following equations from logarithmic (log) form to exponential form.
a) log ) 𝑥 = 2 b) 𝑥 = log ! 𝑦 c) log 𝑦 = 2 d) ln 𝑐 = 4
7$ = 𝑥 3" = 𝑦 10$ = 𝑦 𝑒* = 𝑐
Notes: Logarithmic Expressions Topic 2.9 Solutions by Ted Gott tedg20776@gmail Created by Bryan Passwater
Evaluating Expressions Involving Logarithms
Sometimes, we can evaluate log expressions without the use of a calculator by utilizing its equivalent exponential form.
Example 3: Evaluate the following expressions without a calculator.
a) log 2 8 = 3 b) log5 25 = 2 c) log 2 32 = 5 d) log100 = 2

2! = 8 5$ = 25 +
2 = 32 10$ = 100
#
e) log16 4 = $ f) log3 1 = 0 g) log10 = 1 1
#
h) log 6 = −2
2! = 8 ,
3 =1 10 = 10 36
1
6-$ =
36
Example 4: Use a calculator to evaluate the following expressions. Include at least four places after the decimal point.
a) log 9 = 0.9542 … b) log 6125 = 3.7871 … c) log 2 10 = 3.3219 … d) log 7 135 = 2.5208 …
One useful purpose for logarithms is when dealing with exponential data. Exponential data can be very challenging to
display graphically because the values may start out very small, but they grow quickly. It is difficult to create a display
that effectively shows the smaller values along with the extremely large values together.
The population of English Americans in the (current) United States since 1620 has grown exponentially. The estimated
population is shown below from 1620 – 1820, where 𝑡 = 0 represents the year 1620.
The graph on the left shows the population using a normal scale on the vertical axis. Because the population expanded
into the millions, the data points representing the years 1620 – 1700 are almost indistinguishable. It would be difficult to
notice any differences in population during those beginning years.
The graph on the right uses a logarithmic scale (base 10) for the vertical axis. Using a logarithmic scale allows us to view
all the data points relative to each other.
Example 5: The population data of English Americans in the current United States for the years 1840, 1860, and 1880
are given below. Plot these three additional data points on the graph above.
Year 1840 1860 1880

Population 17,069,453 31,443,321 50,189,209
log(Population) 7.2322 … 7.4975 … 7.7006 …
One common type of graph with a logarithmically scaled vertical axis includes gridlines as seen below. This type of
coordinate grid is likely to appear on the AP Precalculus Exam.
Example 6: Plot the following points on the same coordinate plane above.
𝐀(1, 20) 𝐁(2, 300) 𝐂(3, 2) 𝐃(4, 15) 𝐄(5, 350)

Notes Topic 2.9 Key - Log Expressions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Notes Topic 2.9 Key - Log Expressions

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Notes Topic 2.9 Key - Log Expressions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Notes: (Topic 2.

9) Logarithmic Expressions Solutions

Operation Example Inverse Operation

Addition 𝑥+3=7 Subtraction

Cubing 𝑥! = 7 Cube Root

Exponentiation 3" = 7 ????

Exponential Form Logarithmic Form Notes

Example 3: Evaluate the following expressions without a calculator.

a) log 2 8 = 3 b) log5 25 = 2 c) log 2 32 = 5 d) log100 = 2

Year 1840 1860 1880

You might also like