2. Essential Question: Do you understand what a logarithm is and how to use the calculator to obtain them?

3. You can write an exponential equation as a logarithmic equation and vice versa.
Read logb a= x, as “the log base b of a is x.” Notice that the log is the exponent.
Reading Math

4. Example 1: Converting from Exponential to Logarithmic Form
Write each exponential equation in logarithmic form.
Exponential Equation
Logarithmic Form
35 = 243
25 = 5
104 = 10,000
6–1 =
ab = c
The base of the exponent becomes the base of the logarithm.
log3243 = 5 1 2 1 2
log255 =
The exponent is the logarithm.
log1010,000 = 4 1 6
log = –1 1 6
An exponent (or log) can be negative.
logac =b
The log (and the exponent) can be a variable.

5. Example 2: Converting from Logarithmic to Exponential Form
Write each logarithmic form in exponential equation.
Logarithmic Form
Exponential Equation
log99 = 1
log = 9
log82 =
log = –2
logb1 = 0
The base of the logarithm becomes the base of the power.
91 = 9
The logarithm is the exponent.
29 = 512 1 3 1 3
8 = 2
A logarithm can be a negative number. 1 1 16
4–2 = 16
Any nonzero base to the zero power is 1.
b0 = 1

6. A logarithm is an exponent, so the rules for exponents also apply to logarithms. You may have noticed the following properties in the last example.

7. A logarithm with base 10 is called a common logarithm
A logarithm with base 10 is called a common logarithm. If no base is written for a logarithm, the base is assumed to be For example, log 5 = log105.
You can use mental math to evaluate some logarithms.

8. Example 3A: Evaluating Logarithms by Using Mental Math
Evaluate by using mental math.
log 0.01
10? = 0.01
The log is the exponent.
10–2 = 0.01
Think: What power of 10 is 0.01?
log 0.01 = –2

9. The key is used to evaluate logarithms in base 10
The key is used to evaluate logarithms in base is used to find 10x, the inverse of log.
Helpful Hint

10. Example 3B: Evaluating Logarithms by Using Mental Math
Evaluate by using mental math.
log5 125
5? = 125
The log is the exponent.
53 = 125
Think: What power of 5 is 125?
log5125 = 3

11. Example 3C: Evaluating Logarithms by Using Mental Math
Evaluate by using mental math. 1 5
log5
5? = 1 5
The log is the exponent.
5–1 = 1 5 1 5
Think: What power of 5 is ?
log = –1 1 5

12. Because logarithms are the inverses of exponents, the inverse of an exponential function, such as y = 2x, is a logarithmic function, such as y = log2x.
You may notice that the domain and range of each function are switched.
The domain of y = 2x is all real numbers (R), and the range is {y|y > 0}. The domain of y = log2x is {x|x > 0}, and the range is all real numbers (R).

13. Example 4A: Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Use the x-values {–2, –1, 0, 1, 2}. Graph the function and its inverse. Describe the domain and range of the inverse function.
f(x) = 1.25x
Graph f(x) = 1.25x by using a table of values. 1
f(x) = 1.25x 2 –1 –2 x
0.64
0.8
1.25
1.5625

14. To graph the inverse, f–1(x) = log1.25x, by using a table of values.
Example 4A Continued
To graph the inverse, f–1(x) = log1.25x, by using a table of values. 2 1 –1 –2
f–1(x) = log1.25x
1.5625
1.25
0.8
0.64 x
The domain of f–1(x) is {x|x > 0}, and the range is R.

15. 1. The inverse of exponential functions are Logarithms.
In Summation:
1. The inverse of exponential functions are Logarithms.
Another way to express 53 = 125 is log5(125) = 3
Using variables, bx = a can be expressed as logb(a) = x
4. Logarithms are used to solve for variables which are exponents

16. Pop Quiz
(BW 4.2)
(50 pts)

17. Does the graph depict an
exponential growth or decay?

18. Does the graph depict an
exponential growth or decay?

19. An asymptote is a border for which f(x) never touches
True/False
An asymptote is a border
for which f(x) never touches

20. An asymptote is a border for which f(x) always touches
True/False
An asymptote is a border
for which f(x) always
touches

21. What is the inverse of
f(x) = 2x – 3 ?

22. What is the inverse of
f(x) = 2x + 3 ?

23. 4. Write 53 = 125 in logarithmic
form.

24. 4. Write 43 = 64 in logarithmic
form.

25. 1
5. What is log = ?

26. 1
5. What is log44096 = ?