Key Concepts of Inverse Functions,

Exponential Functions and

Logarithmic Functions - Part 004
 Objectives

At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:

1. Graph exponential functions
2. Solve problems involving exponential functions, equations, and inequalities
3. Represent real-life situations using logarithmic functions
4. Distinguish logarithmic function, logarithmic equation, and logarithmic
inequality
Graph exponential functions
iws.collin.edu/jmerrill/1314/1314%20ppt.../4.1%20Exponential%20Functions.ppt
 Definition of Exponential Functions

• The exponential function f with a base b is defined by f(x) = bx where b is a positive

constant other than 1 (b > 0, and b ≠ 1) and x is any real number.
• So, f(x) = 2x, looks like:
 Graphing Exponential Functions
x
1
y y  7x
7

• Four exponential functions

have been graphed.
x
Compare the graphs of y
1
y  2x
functions where b > 1 to 2
those where b < 1
 Graphing Exponential Functions

• So, when b > 1, f(x) has a graph that goes

up to the right and is an increasing
function.
• When 0 < b < 1, f(x) has a graph that goes
down to the right and is a decreasing
function.
 Characteristics

• The domain of f(x) = bx consists of all real numbers (-, ). The
range of f(x) = bx consists of all positive real numbers (0, ).
• The graphs of all exponential functions pass through the point (0,1).
This is because f(o) = b0 = 1 (bo).
• The graph of f(x) = bx approaches but does not cross the x-axis. The
x-axis is a horizontal asymptote.
• f(x) = bx is one-to-one and has an inverse that is a function.
 Transformations
y  2x

y  2x  3
• Vertical translation f(x) = bx + c
• Shifts the graph up if c > 0
• Shifts the graph down if c < 0 y  2x  4
 Transformations
y  2x
• Horizontal translation:
g(x)=bx+c
y  2( x 3)
• Shifts the graph to the left if c
>0
y  2( x 4)
• Shifts the graph to the right if
c<0
 Transformations

y  2x
• Reflecting
• g(x) = -bx reflects the graph
about the x-axis. y  2 x

• g(x) = b-x reflects the graph

about the y-axis.
y  2 x
 Transformations
y  2x

• Vertical stretching or
shrinking, f(x)=cbx:
y  4(2 x )
• Stretches the graph if c > 1 1 x
y (2 )
• Shrinks the graph if 0 < c < 1 4
 Transformations

y  2x
• Horizontal stretching or shrinking,
f(x)=bcx: y  4(2 x )

• Shinks the graph if c > 1

• Stretches the graph if 0 < c < 1 1 x
y  (2 )
4
 Practice

• Graph the function f(x) =

2(x-3) +2
• Where is the horizontal y=2
asymptote?
 Practice

• Graph the function f(x) =

4(x+5) - 3
• Where is the horizontal y=-3
asymptote?
Solve problems involving exponential
functions, equations, and inequalities
teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/math/ito_08/05Exponential/5LES3/exp_log_eqns_n.ppt
 Exponential Equations with Like Bases

• In an Exponential Equation, the variable is in the exponent. There may

be one exponential term or more than one, like…

or
• If you can isolate terms so that the equation can be written as two
expressions with the same base, as in the equations above, then the
solution is simple.
 Exponential Equations with Like Bases

• Example #1 - One exponential expression.

1. Isolate the exponential expression

and rewrite the constant in terms of
the same base.

2. Set the exponents equal to each

other (drop the bases) and solve the
resulting equation.
 Exponential Equations with Like Bases

• Example #2 - Two exponential expressions.

1. Isolate the exponential
expressions on either side of the =.
We then rewrite the 2nd expression
in terms of the same base as the first.

2. Set the exponents equal to each

other (drop the bases) and solve the
resulting equation.
 Exponential Equations with Different Bases

• The Exponential Equations below contain exponential expressions

whose bases cannot be rewritten as the same rational number.

or

• The solutions are irrational numbers, we will need to use a log function
to evaluate them.
 Exponential Equations with Different Bases

• Example #1 - One exponential expression.

1. Isolate the exponential expression.

2. Take the log (log or ln) of both

sides of the equation.

3. Use the log rule that lets you

rewrite the exponent as a multiplier.
 Exponential Equations with Different Bases

• Example #1 - One exponential expression.

4. Isolate the variable.
 Exponential Equations with Different Bases

• Example #2 - Two exponential expressions.

1. The exponential expressions are
already isolated.
2. Take the log (log or ln) of both
sides of the equation.
3. Use the log rule that lets you
rewrite the exponent as a multiplier
on each side..
 Exponential Equations with Different Bases

• Example #2 - Two exponential expressions.

4. To isolate the variable, we
need to combine the ‘x’
terms, then factor out the ‘x’
and divide.
 Represent real-life situations
using logarithmic functions
http://iws.collin.edu/jmerrill/1314/1314%20ppt_files/4.5%20Exp%20Growth%20and%20Decay.pp
t
 Review
log x  log
log33xxlog
log3 3  x  6  
log33xx6633
3

log33 xxxx6633
log
33  x  x  6 
27  x 2  6 x
x 2  6 x  27  0
 x  9  x  3  0
Is this okay? x  9, 3
Arguments must be positive x9
 Review

500e0.3x = 600
e0.3x = 1.2
ln 1.2 = 0.3x
ln1.2
x
0.3

x = 0.608
 Exponents and Logarithms

• How are exponents and logarithms related?

• They are inverses of each other
• Why is this important?
• Using inverses allow us to solve problems (we use subtraction to solve addition
problems & division to solve multiplication)
• Many real-life scenarios are exponential in nature and logarithms allow us to solve
for the unknown.
 Examples Using Logarithmic Scales

• The Richter scale is used to determine the intensity of an earthquake.

• Measuring acidity using the pH scale, or concentration of ions.
• Carbon dating.
• Modeling population growth/decay--just to name a few…
 Exponential Decay Model

•A(t) = A0e kt
• A0 is the initial amount
• K is the growing/decay entity. If k>0, the entity is growing (an increasing function).
If k<0, the entity is decaying (a decreasing function).
• Looks like A(t) = Pert? It works the same way.
 Population Model

• In 1970, the US population was 203.3 million. In 2003, the population was 294
million.

1. Find the exponential growth model

2. By which year will the US population reach 315 million?
 Population Model
• t is the number of years after 1970.
• t=0 represents 1970. t = 33 represents 2003
• When t = 33, A = 294

• A(t) = A0ekt
• 294 = 203.3ek(33)
 Population Con’t
What do you do
when the exponent
is a variable?

294
 e33k
203.3  294 
 203.3 
• 294 = 203.3ek(33)
 294 
ln    ln e
 203.3 
33k
ln    k  0.011
 33 
 294   
ln    33kln e So, k ≈ 0.011, which is
 203.3  exponential growth

What does The growth model is

lne = ? A(t) = 203.3e0.011t
 Population Con’t

• When will the population reach 315 million?

• A(t) = 203.3e0.011t
• 315 = 203.3e0.011t
• You finish…

• Did you get approximately 40?

• That means that in the year 2010 the population will be approx. 315 million!
 Carbon Dating

• The natural base, e, is used to

estimate the ages of artifacts.
Plants and animals absorb Carbon-
14 from the atmosphere. When a
plant or animal dies, the amount
of carbon-14 it contains decays in
such a way that exactly half of the
initial amount is present after
5,715 years.
 Carbon Dating

• The function that models the

decay of carbon-14, where A0
is the initial amount of
carbon-14, and A(t) is the
amount present t years after
the plant or animal dies, is

A(t )  A0e kt
 Carbon Dating Example

• Archaeologists find scrolls and claim that they are 2000 years old. Tests indicate
that the scrolls contain 78% of their original carbon-14. Could the scrolls be 2000
years old?
• Using the same process as the last example, we find k to be -0.00012.
• Finding k is written out in the book on P449.
 Carbon Dating Example

78% of the original

A(t )  A0e 0.00012t

amount

.78A0  A0e 0.00012t

.78  e 0.00012t

ln .78  .00012t ln e
2070.5  t
 Practice

• A wooden chest is found and said to be from the 2nd century BCE. Tests on a
sample of wood from the chest reveal that it contains 92% of its original carbon-
14. Could the chest be from the 2nd century BCE?
• Use the same k as the last example.
 Practice

A(t )  A0e 0.00012t

.92A0  A0e 0.00012t

.92  e 0.00012t

ln .92  .00012t ln e
694.85  t
 Logistic Growth Model

• The spread of disease is exponential in nature. However, there aren’t an infinite

number of people. Eventually, the disease has to level off. Growth is always
limited. A logistic growth model is used in this type of situation:

c
f(t) 
1  ae bt

• Y = c is the horizontal asymptote. Thus c is the limiting value of the function.

 Modeling the Spread of the Flu

• The function below describes the number of people, f(t), who have become ill with
influenza t weeks after its initial outbreak in a town with a population of 30,000
people.

30, 000
f(t) 
1  20e 1.5t
 Modeling the Spread of the Flu

1. How many people became ill with the flu when the epidemic began?
2. How many people were ill by the end of the fourth week?
3. What is the limiting size of f(t), the population that become ill?
30, 000
f(t) 
1  20e 1.5t
 Modeling the Spread of the Flu
1. How many people became ill with the flu when the epidemic began?
• In the beginning, t = 0:

30, 000
f(t) 
1  20e 1.5(0)

30, 000
f(t)   1429
1  20
 Modeling the Spread of the Flu
2. How many people were ill by the end of the fourth week?

30, 000
f(t) 
1  20e 1.5(4)

f(t)  28,583
 Modeling the Spread of the Flu
3. What is the limiting size of f(t), the population that become ill?

C represents the limiting size that f(t)

can obtain. There are only 30,000
people in the town, therefore, the
limiting size must be 30,000!
Distinguish logarithmic function,
logarithmic equation, and
logarithmic inequality
www.sd27j.org/cms/lib8/CO01900701/Centricity/Domain/568/4.5%20A2.ppt
An exponential equation is an equation containing
one or more expressions that have a variable as an
exponent. To solve exponential equations:

• Try writing them so that the

bases are all the same.
• Take the logarithm of both
sides.
Helpful Hint
When you use a rounded number in a check, the
result will not be exact, but it should be
reasonable.
Example 1A: Solving Exponential Equations
Solve and check.

98 – x = 27x – 3 Rewrite each side with the same

base; 9 and 27 are powers of 3.
(32)8 – x = (33)x – 3

316 – 2x = 33x – 9 To raise a power to a power,

multiply exponents.

16 – 2x = 3x – 9 Bases are the same, so the

exponents must be equal.
x=5 Solve for x.
Example 1B: Solving Exponential Equations
Solve and check.
4x – 1 = 5
log 4x – 1 = log 5 5 is not a power of 4, so take the
log of both sides.
(x – 1)log 4 = log 5 Apply the Power Property of
Logarithms.
log5
x –1 = log4 Divide both sides by log 4.
log5
x=1+ log4 ≈ 2.161

Check Use a calculator.

The solution is x ≈ 2.161.
 Check It Out! Example 1a
Solve and check.
32x = 27 Rewrite each side with the same
(3)2x = (3)3 base; 3 and 27 are powers of 3.

32x = 33 To raise a power to a power,

multiply exponents.

2x = 3 Bases are the same, so the

exponents must be equal.
x = 1.5 Solve for x.
 Check It Out! Example 1b
Solve and check.
7–x = 21
21 is not a power of 7, so take the
log 7–x = log 21
log of both sides.

(–x)log 7 = log 21 Apply the Power Property of

Logarithms.
log21
–x = log7 Divide both sides by log 7.

log21
x=– log7 ≈ –1.565
 Check It Out! Example 1c
Solve and check.
23x = 15
log23x = log15 15 is not a power of 2, so take the
log of both sides.

(3x)log 2 = log15 Apply the Power Property of

Logarithms.
log15 Divide both sides by log 2,
3x = log2 then divide both sides by 3.

x ≈ 1.302
Example 3A: Solving Logarithmic Equations

Solve.

log6(2x – 1) = –1
log (2x –1)
6 6 = 6–1 Use 6 as the base for both sides.

2x – 1 = 1 Use inverse properties to remove

6
6 to the log base 6.
7
x = 12 Simplify.
Example 3B: Solving Logarithmic Equations

Solve.

log4100 – log4(x + 1) = 1

100
log4(x + 1 ) = 1 Write as a quotient.

log4( x + 1 )
100
4 = 41 Use 4 as the base for both sides.

100
x+1
=4 Use inverse properties on the
left side.
x = 24
Example 3C: Solving Logarithmic Equations

Solve.

log5x 4 = 8

4log5x = 8 Power Property of Logarithms.

log5x = 2 Divide both sides by 4 to isolate log5x.

x = 52 Definition of a logarithm.

x = 25
Example 3D: Solving Logarithmic Equations

Solve.

log12x + log12(x + 1) = 1

log12 x(x + 1) = 1 Product Property of Logarithms.

12 log
12
x(x +1)
= 121 Exponential form.

x(x + 1) = 12 Use the inverse properties.

 Example 3 Continued
x2 + x – 12 = 0 Multiply and collect terms.
(x – 3)(x + 4) = 0 Factor.
x – 3 = 0 or x + 4 = 0 Set each of the factors equal to zero.
x = 3 or x = –4 Solve.
Check Check both solutions in the original equation.
log12x + log12(x +1) = 1 log12x + log12(x +1) = 1
log123 + log12(3 + 1) 1 log12( –4) + log12(–4 +1) 1 x
log123 + log124 1
log12( –4) is undefined.
log1212 1
1 1 The solution is x = 3.
 Check It Out! Example 3a
Solve.
3 = log 8 + 3log x

3 = log 8 + 3log x
3 = log 8 + log x3
Power Property of Logarithms.
3 = log (8x3) Product Property of Logarithms.
103 = 10log (8x3) Use 10 as the base for both sides.
1000 = 8x3 Use inverse properties on the
right side.
125 = x3
5=x
 Check It Out! Example 3b
Solve.

2log x – log 4 = 0

x
2log( 4 )=0 Write as a quotient.
x
2(10 log 4
) = 100 Use 10 as the base for both sides.

2( x ) = 1 Use inverse properties on the

4
left side.
x=2
 Example 4A: Using Tables and Graphs to Solve
Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Inequalities
Use a table and graph to solve 2x + 1 > 8192x.
Use a graphing calculator. Enter 2^(x + 1) as Y1
and 8192x as Y2.

In the table, find the x-values In the graph, find the x-value
where Y1 is greater than Y2. at the point of intersection.
The solution set is {x | x > 16}.