Maths Adv.
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
𝑎𝑎 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
Question 1
a) 24 = 16
log 2 16 = 4
1
b) 3 = 92
1
log 9 3 = 2
1
c) 10−2 = 100
1
log10 100 = −2
Page 2 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 2
a) log 3 9 = 2
32 = 9
1
b) log 5 125 = −3
1
5−3 = 125
1
c) log 49 7 = 2
1
492 = 7
Page 3 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 3
Express the following logarithmic equations as exponential functions and solve for 𝑥𝑥:
a) log 3 𝑥𝑥 = 3
33 = 𝑥𝑥
𝑥𝑥 = 27
b) log 5 𝑥𝑥 = −2
5−2 = 𝑥𝑥
1
𝑥𝑥 = 25
c) log 𝑥𝑥 49 = 2
𝑥𝑥 2 = 49
𝑥𝑥 = 7
Page 4 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Page 5 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 4
= log(3 × 4 ÷ 6)
= log 2
1
c) log 5 125 − 2 log 5 25 − log 5 √5
1 1
=3−2×2−2
3
=2
Page 6 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 5
a) 252𝑥𝑥 = 53𝑥𝑥+1
54𝑥𝑥 = 53𝑥𝑥+1
4𝑥𝑥 = 3𝑥𝑥 + 1
𝑥𝑥 = 1
b) 3𝑥𝑥 = √813
3𝑥𝑥 = √39
9
= 32
9
𝑥𝑥 = 2
c) 254𝑥𝑥−3 = 5𝑥𝑥+7
52(4𝑥𝑥−3) = 5𝑥𝑥+7
8𝑥𝑥 − 6 = 𝑥𝑥 + 7
7𝑥𝑥 = 13
13
𝑥𝑥 = 7
Page 7 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 6 (Conceptual)
log𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
If 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑐𝑐 𝑥𝑥, prove that 𝑦𝑦 = log𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐
.
log 𝑥𝑥 log 𝑐𝑐 𝑦𝑦
=
log 𝑐𝑐 log 𝑐𝑐
𝑦𝑦 log 𝑐𝑐
=
log 𝑐𝑐
= 𝑦𝑦
log 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
log 𝑐𝑐 𝑥𝑥 =
log 𝑎𝑎 𝑐𝑐
Talent Tip: You may like to remember this as the “The log of the top over the log over the
bottom”
Page 8 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 7
Use the change of base formula to evaluate the following correct to 2 decimal places:
a) log 3 5
log 5
= log 3
= 1.46
b) log 3 10
log 10
= log 3
= 2.10
c) log 𝜋𝜋 √2
log √2
= log 𝜋𝜋
= 0.30
Page 9 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛+1
� 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = + 𝐶𝐶
𝑛𝑛 + 1
1 𝑥𝑥 0
∫ 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = + 𝐶𝐶 (not defined!)
0
We have also learnt that the definite integral will give us the area under the curve.
1
𝑦𝑦 =
𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
1 𝑒𝑒
1 square unit
1
Clearly, the area under the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 in the first quadrant is well defined!
We define 𝑒𝑒 to be the number greater than one so that the area between the hyperbola 𝑦𝑦 =
1
𝑥𝑥
and the 𝑥𝑥-axis from 𝑥𝑥 = 1 to 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑒𝑒 is exactly one square unit. (In fact, 𝑒𝑒 is an irrational
Page 10 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
1
In order to find a primitive function of 𝑥𝑥
or 𝑥𝑥 −1 , we must find a function whose derivative
1
(that is, gradient function) is 𝑥𝑥
. A standard log function of the form 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥, where 𝑎𝑎 >
0, is potentially such a function, since its gradient is positive throughout its domain (which is
𝑥𝑥 > 0) and its gradient approaches (but never reaches) zero as 𝑥𝑥 increases.
1
So, if the primitive of 𝑥𝑥
is a log function, then what is its base?
𝑒𝑒 1
From the earlier definition of 𝑒𝑒, we know that ∫1 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 1.
So [log 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥]1𝑒𝑒 = 1
so log 𝑎𝑎 𝑒𝑒 − log 𝑎𝑎 1 = 1
so log 𝑎𝑎 𝑒𝑒 = 1
so 𝑎𝑎 = 𝑒𝑒.
1 𝑑𝑑 1
So ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 + 𝐶𝐶 , or to put it another way, (log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 ) = .
𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
Note: A rigorous proof of this result is not included in these notes. It is a very complicated and
abstract proof.
Page 11 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Derivative of 𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐥 𝒆𝒆 𝒙𝒙
𝑑𝑑 1
log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Given 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑒𝑒 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏), find 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 using the chain rule:
Let 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
so 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
=
then 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑢𝑢
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1
so 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑢𝑢
1
= × 𝑎𝑎
𝑢𝑢
𝑎𝑎
=
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏
𝑑𝑑 𝑎𝑎
log 𝑒𝑒 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏) =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏
Page 12 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Given 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), find 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 using the chain rule:
Let 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
so 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑓𝑓 ′ (𝑥𝑥)
then 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 1
so 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓′(𝑥𝑥)
log 𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
Page 13 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
𝑑𝑑 1
log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑 𝑎𝑎
log 𝑒𝑒 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏) =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏
𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓′(𝑥𝑥)
log 𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
Page 14 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 8
a) 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑒𝑒 3𝑥𝑥
3
= 3𝑥𝑥
1
= 𝑥𝑥
b) 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑒𝑒 (2𝑥𝑥 + 3)
2
= 2𝑥𝑥+3
c) y = ln(1 + 𝑥𝑥 2 )
2𝑥𝑥
= 1+𝑥𝑥 2
Page 15 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
d) 𝑦𝑦 = 5 log(4 − 5𝑥𝑥)
−5
= 5 × 4−5𝑥𝑥
e) 𝑦𝑦 = ln(2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 3)
4𝑥𝑥+3
= 2𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥+3
Page 16 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 9
a) 𝑦𝑦 = ln 6𝑥𝑥
6
= 6𝑥𝑥
1
= 𝑥𝑥
b) y = log(10𝑥𝑥 + 3)
10
= 10𝑥𝑥+3
c) y = log 𝑒𝑒 (4 − 3𝑥𝑥)
3
= − 4−3𝑥𝑥
Page 17 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
d) 𝑦𝑦 = log(𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 1)
2𝑥𝑥+3
= 𝑥𝑥 2 +3𝑥𝑥+1
1
e) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 − ln(1 − 2 𝑥𝑥 2 )
−𝑥𝑥
=1− 1
1− 𝑥𝑥 2
2
𝑥𝑥
=1+ 1
1− 𝑥𝑥 2
2
Page 18 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 10
1
𝑦𝑦 = 2 log 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 2𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 2𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 2𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 +3
1−4𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥
c) 𝑦𝑦 = ln 1−𝑥𝑥 2 [use log 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑥𝑥 − log 𝑦𝑦]
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 −4 −2𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 1−4𝑥𝑥 − 1−𝑥𝑥 2
−4 2𝑥𝑥
= 1−4𝑥𝑥 + 1−𝑥𝑥 2
Page 19 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
(2−4𝑥𝑥)(1+𝑥𝑥)2
d) 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑥𝑥−3
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 −4 2 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 2−4𝑥𝑥 + 1+𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥−3
−2 2 1
= 1−2𝑥𝑥 + 1+𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥−3
10
e) 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑥𝑥
𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = − log 10
1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
=− 10
𝑥𝑥
10
1
= − 𝑥𝑥
Page 20 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
3
f) 𝑦𝑦 = log √𝑥𝑥 2 + 1
1
𝑦𝑦 = 3 log(𝑥𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 3(𝑥𝑥 2 +1)
(𝑥𝑥+2)2 3√𝑥𝑥
g) 𝑦𝑦 = log � �
𝑥𝑥−4
3
𝑦𝑦 = log(𝑥𝑥 + 2)2 + log √𝑥𝑥 − log(𝑥𝑥 − 4)
1
= 2 log(𝑥𝑥 + 2) + 3 log 𝑥𝑥 − log(𝑥𝑥 − 4)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2 1 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑥𝑥+2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥−4
Page 21 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥
log 2 𝑥𝑥 =
log 𝑒𝑒 2
1
= log × log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥
𝑒𝑒 2
1 1 1
So, the derivative of log 2 𝑥𝑥 is log𝑒𝑒 2
× 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 log .
𝑒𝑒 2
The differentiation rules we have used so far only work for base 𝑒𝑒.
Therefore:
If we want to differentiate a log function with a base other than 𝑒𝑒, then we
use the change of base formula to express the function in terms of log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥,
and then differentiate.
Question 11
a) 𝑦𝑦 = log 5 𝑥𝑥
log 𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = log 5
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑥𝑥 log 5
Page 22 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
b) 𝑦𝑦 = log 2 5𝑥𝑥
log 5𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = log 2
1
= 𝑥𝑥 log 2
c) 𝑦𝑦 = 3 log 7 4𝑥𝑥
3 log 4𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = log 7
d) 𝑦𝑦 = log 4 2𝑥𝑥 2
log 2𝑥𝑥 2
𝑦𝑦 = log 4
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 4𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= log 4 × 2𝑥𝑥 2
2
= 𝑥𝑥 log 4
log 𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = log 11
Page 23 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
Question 12
Using the chain, product and quotient rules (as well as the log laws where necessary) to
differentiate:
a) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 ln 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑 1
(𝑥𝑥 ln 𝑥𝑥) = ln 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 ×
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
= ln 𝑥𝑥 + 1
log𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥
b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥
1
𝑑𝑑 log 𝑥𝑥 ×𝑥𝑥−log 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
� 𝑥𝑥
�= 𝑥𝑥
𝑥𝑥 2
1−log 𝑥𝑥
= 𝑥𝑥 2
𝑥𝑥
c) 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑥𝑥
1
𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥 log 𝑥𝑥− ×𝑥𝑥
�
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 log 𝑥𝑥
�= 𝑥𝑥
(log 𝑥𝑥)2
log 𝑥𝑥−1
= (log 𝑥𝑥)2
Page 24 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
d) 𝑦𝑦 = (ln 𝑥𝑥)3
𝑑𝑑 1
(log 𝑥𝑥)3 = 3(log 𝑥𝑥)2 ×
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
3(log 𝑥𝑥)2
= 𝑥𝑥
e) 𝑦𝑦 = log(log 𝑥𝑥)
𝑑𝑑 1 1
(log(log 𝑥𝑥)) = × 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 log 𝑥𝑥
1
= 𝑥𝑥 log 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑 2𝑥𝑥+2
(log(𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 + 1)) =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑥+1
Page 25 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
𝑥𝑥 2
g) 𝑦𝑦 = ln 𝑥𝑥
1
𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥 2 2𝑥𝑥 log 𝑥𝑥−𝑥𝑥 2 ×
�
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 log 𝑥𝑥
�= (log 𝑥𝑥)2
𝑥𝑥
h) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 3 log 𝑒𝑒 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑 1
(𝑥𝑥 3 log 𝑥𝑥) = 3𝑥𝑥 2 log 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 3 ×
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥
= 3𝑥𝑥 2 log 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2
(𝑥𝑥−2)2
i) y = log (1−𝑥𝑥 2 )
= 2 log(𝑥𝑥 − 2) − log(1 − 𝑥𝑥 2 )
𝑑𝑑 (𝑥𝑥−2)2 2 2𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
�log (1−𝑥𝑥 2 )� = 𝑥𝑥−2 + 1−𝑥𝑥 2
Page 26 of 27
HMA Logarithmic and Exponential Functions I © TALENT 100
j) y = log √𝑥𝑥
1
= 2 log 𝑥𝑥
𝑑𝑑 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
�log √𝑥𝑥� = 2𝑥𝑥
k) 𝑦𝑦 = √ln 𝑥𝑥
1
𝑑𝑑 1 − 1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
�log 𝑥𝑥 = 2 (log 𝑥𝑥) 2 × 𝑥𝑥
1
=
2𝑥𝑥�log 𝑥𝑥
Page 27 of 27