Logarithmic Functions and Equations

Intended Learning Outcome

1. Define logarithmic functions and sketch the graph of a logarithmic function.
2. Solve logarithmic equations.

Definition:
The following will give you the definition and examples of the
logarithmic function and Equation.

Example 1. Identify whether the given is logarithmic function or logarithmic

equation and explain why.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑝 (5𝑥 + 7)
𝑙𝑜𝑔8 (2𝑚 − 7) = 1
1.
2.

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑝 (5𝑥 + 7)

Solution:

it is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑥 where 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1.

1. This is a logarithmic function because

2. 𝑙𝑜𝑔8(2𝑚 − 7) = 1 This is a logarithmic equation because it

is an equation involving logarithms.
Basic Properties and Laws of Logarithm
Let b, x and y be real numbers such that b > 0 and b ≠ 1. The basic
properties and laws of logarithms are as follows:
PROPERTIES EXAMPLES

I.logarithm of the Base Property

logb b  1
II.Logarithm of 1 Property
logb 1  0

Inverse Property
III.

blog b x
x

IV. Power x
x
logb b Property
Logb b x =x

LAWS EXAMPLES
Product Law
I. logb MN  logb M  logb N
Quotient Law
M
logb  log M  log N
II. N b b
Power
III. PowerLawLaw
lo log nM  n logb M
Log
III. b M =n
b n Logb M

Example 2

Now, let us use properties of the logarithms to evaluate the following:

1. 𝑙𝑜𝑔4 4
4. 7 7
= 𝑙𝑜𝑔 10

2. 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 57 5. 3𝑙𝑜𝑔9 9
=
3

3. 𝑙𝑜𝑔8 1
= =
=
Solution:

1. 𝑙𝑜𝑔4 4 = 1 (Property I) 4. 7𝑙𝑜𝑔7 10 = 10 (Property III)

2. 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 57 = 7 (Property IV) 5. 3𝑙𝑜𝑔9 93= 9 (Property IV)
3. 𝑙𝑜𝑔8 1 = 0 (Property II)

Example 3

𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑎𝑏2
This time, let us use the law of logarithms to expand the following expressions.
1.
𝑥3
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏
2.
𝑦2

𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑎𝑏2 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑏2 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑎 + 2𝑙𝑜𝑔9 𝑏 (Product and Power

Solution:
1.
Laws)
𝑥3
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 3
− 𝑙𝑜𝑔� = 3𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 −
Laws 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏
𝑦2 �
2. (Quotient and Power
𝑥 2𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑦
=
𝑦2
)

Now that you are familiar with the basic properties and laws of logarithms,
read and analyze the following concepts and examples for you to learn how to solve
logarithmic equations and inequalities.

Properties of Logarithmic Equations

If b > 0, then the logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 is increasing for all x.
If 0 < b < 1, then the logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing for all x.
This means that 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑣 if and only if 𝑢 = 𝑣.
Here are some techniques or strategies in solving the logarithmic equation.
1. Rewriting it to exponential form.
2. Use logarithmic properties.
3. Apply the one–to–one property of logarithmic functions.
4. Use the Zero Factor Property: If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0.
5. Take into consideration the domain of logarithmic expression.
Example 4

𝑙𝑜𝑔5 (𝑥 + 3) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 22
Find the value of x in the following.

𝑙𝑜𝑔3 (9𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔3 (𝑥 − 8) = 4

1.
2.

Solution:
1. log5 (x  3)  log5
Given
22
x  3  22 One-to-one Property

x  22  3 Addition Property of Equality

x 19 Simplify

2. log3 (9x)  log3 (x  8) 

4 Given
9x
log 3 4
x8 Quotient Law of Logarithm
9x

x  8 34
Change into exponential form

9x  81(x  8)
Multiplication Property of Equality
9x  81x  648
Distributive Property
 72x  648
Addition Property of Equality
x=9
Multiplication Property of Equality
 Let us begin with the parent function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑥. Because every
Graph of a Logarithmic Function

form 𝑓(𝑥) =
logarithmic function of this form is the inverse of the exponential function with the

𝑏𝑥, their graphs are reflections of each other across the line y = x, as shown below.

For any real number x and constant b > 0, b ≠ 1, we can see the following
characteristics in the graph f(x)=logbx: one-to-one function; vertical asymptote x = 0;
domain: (0, ∞) and range: (-∞, ∞); x-intercept: (1,0) and key point (b, 1), y-intercept:
none; increasing if b > 1 and decreasing if 0 < b < 1.

Example 1. Sketch the graph of y = log2x.

Solution:

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by
assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log2x is as

1 1 1 1
follows:

16 8 4 2
x 1 2 4 8

y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Now, let us solve x given y = log2 x where y=-4 from the table.

y = log2x Convert into exponential equation

log2x = -4 → by = x You need to rewrite log2x=y in the
form by=x. Here, the base is 2 and

𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → 2−4 = 𝑥
the exponent is -4.
Substitute for b, y, and x in the
exponential equation, bY=x.
1 1
24 16
x= =
Solve for x.
Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.
Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

Example 2. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

2
Solution:

assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by

1 1 1 1
follows:

2 4 8 16
X 16 8 4 2 1

Y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Now, let us solve x given 𝑦 = 𝑥 where y=-4 from the table.

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation.
2
𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = −4 → by = x You need to rewrite 𝑥 = 𝑦 in the
form
2
by=x. Here, the base is ½ and the
exponent is -4.
1
=𝑥
𝑏 = 𝑥 → (−4)
𝑦 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
2 exponential equation, bY=x.
1
(1 11
x=
) 4 (
= 16 Solve for x.
)
=
2 16

Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.
Example 3. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔4𝑥 .
Solution:
Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by
assigning values for y. Then solve for x. A table of values for y=log4x is as
follows:
1 1
1 4
x 1 4 16

6
y -2 -1 0 1 2
Now, let us solve for x given y = log4 x where y=-2 from the table.

y = log4x Convert into exponential equation.

log4x = -2 → by =x Rewrite log4x=y in the form by=x.
Here, the base is 4 and the exponent

𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥 → 4−2 = 𝑥
is -2.
Substitute for b, y, and x in the
exponential equation, bY=x.
1 1
42 16
x= =
Solve for x.

Now, continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

Plotting of points for y=log3x Graph of y=log4x

Example 4. Sketch the graph of = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 .

4

Solution:

assigning values for y then solve for x. A table of values for 𝑦 = 𝑥 is as

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function by

1 1
follows:

4 16
x 16 4 1
y -2 -1 0 1 2
Now, let us solve for x given 𝑦 = 𝑥 where y=-2 from the table.

𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = 𝑦 Convert into exponential equation

4
𝑙𝑜𝑔1𝑥 = −2 → by = x You need to rewrite 𝑥 = 𝑦 in the
form
4
1
4
by=x. Here, the base is and the
exponent is -2.

𝑏 = 𝑥 → (−2) = 𝑥
1
𝑦 Substitute for b, y, and x in the
4 exponential equation, bY=x.
1
(1 11
x=
) 2 (
= 16 Solve for x.
)
=
 Now continue with the remaining values of y to complete the table.

Step 2. Plot the points found in the table and connect them using a smooth
curve.

Plotting of points for Graph of

In addition to the graphs of the logarithmic function, let us also take a

look at how the graph of the parent function y=logbx transform either by shifting to
the left or right, shifting up or down, stretches, and compresses.

ACTITIVITY 1.1: Find the value/s of x in the following equations.

1. log5 25 = 3x –3
2. log4 (x +3) = 3/ 2
3. log1/2 (3− x) = −3
4. log3 – 2x log3 (x+5)=0
5. logx (log2 256)=3

ACTIVITY: 1.2: Graph the following using table of values: