# 4.3 Logarithmic functions

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In this section, you will:
• Convert from logarithmic to exponential form.
• Convert from exponential to logarithmic form.
• Evaluate logarithms.
• Use common logarithms.
• Use natural logarithms.

In 2010, a major earthquake struck Haiti, destroying or damaging over 285,000 homes http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/#summary. Accessed 3/4/2013. . One year later, another, stronger earthquake devastated Honshu, Japan, destroying or damaging over 332,000 buildings, http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/usc0001xgp/#summary. Accessed 3/4/2013. like those shown in [link] . Even though both caused substantial damage, the earthquake in 2011 was 100 times stronger than the earthquake in Haiti. How do we know? The magnitudes of earthquakes are measured on a scale known as the Richter Scale. The Haitian earthquake registered a 7.0 on the Richter Scale http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/. Accessed 3/4/2013. whereas the Japanese earthquake registered a 9.0. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/usc0001xgp/#details. Accessed 3/4/2013.

The Richter Scale is a base-ten logarithmic scale. In other words, an earthquake of magnitude 8 is not twice as great as an earthquake of magnitude 4. It is ${10}^{8-4}={10}^{4}=10,000$ times as great! In this lesson, we will investigate the nature of the Richter Scale and the base-ten function upon which it depends.

## Converting from logarithmic to exponential form

In order to analyze the magnitude of earthquakes or compare the magnitudes of two different earthquakes, we need to be able to convert between logarithmic and exponential form. For example, suppose the amount of energy released from one earthquake were 500 times greater than the amount of energy released from another. We want to calculate the difference in magnitude. The equation that represents this problem is $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{10}^{x}=500,$ where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ represents the difference in magnitudes on the Richter Scale . How would we solve for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x?$

We have not yet learned a method for solving exponential equations. None of the algebraic tools discussed so far is sufficient to solve $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{10}^{x}=500.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ We know that $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{10}^{2}=100\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{10}^{3}=1000,$ so it is clear that $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ must be some value between 2 and 3, since $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y={10}^{x}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is increasing. We can examine a graph, as in [link] , to better estimate the solution.

Estimating from a graph, however, is imprecise. To find an algebraic solution, we must introduce a new function. Observe that the graph in [link] passes the horizontal line test. The exponential function $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y={b}^{x}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is one-to-one , so its inverse, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x={b}^{y}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is also a function. As is the case with all inverse functions, we simply interchange $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and solve for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ to find the inverse function. To represent $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ as a function of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x,$ we use a logarithmic function of the form $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(x\right).\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ The base $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ logarithm of a number is the exponent by which we must raise $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ to get that number.

We read a logarithmic expression as, “The logarithm with base $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is equal to $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y,$ ” or, simplified, “log base $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y.$ ” We can also say, “ $b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ raised to the power of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}y\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x,$ ” because logs are exponents. For example, the base 2 logarithm of 32 is 5, because 5 is the exponent we must apply to 2 to get 32. Since $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{2}^{5}=32,$ we can write $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{\mathrm{log}}_{2}32=5.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ We read this as “log base 2 of 32 is 5.”

can I get some pretty basic questions
In what way does set notation relate to function notation
Ama
is precalculus needed to take caculus
It depends on what you already know. Just test yourself with some precalculus questions. If you find them easy, you're good to go.
Spiro
the solution doesn't seem right for this problem
what is the domain of f(x)=x-4/x^2-2x-15 then
x is different from -5&3
Seid
how to prroved cos⁴x-sin⁴x= cos²x-sin²x are equal
Don't think that you can.
Elliott
how do you provided cos⁴x-sin⁴x = cos²x-sin²x are equal
What are the question marks for?
Elliott
Someone should please solve it for me Add 2over ×+3 +y-4 over 5 simplify (×+a)with square root of two -×root 2 all over a multiply 1over ×-y{(×-y)(×+y)} over ×y
For the first question, I got (3y-2)/15 Second one, I got Root 2 Third one, I got 1/(y to the fourth power) I dont if it's right cause I can barely understand the question.
Is under distribute property, inverse function, algebra and addition and multiplication function; so is a combined question
Abena
find the equation of the line if m=3, and b=-2
graph the following linear equation using intercepts method. 2x+y=4
Ashley
how
Wargod
what?
John
ok, one moment
UriEl
how do I post your graph for you?
UriEl
it won't let me send an image?
UriEl
also for the first one... y=mx+b so.... y=3x-2
UriEl
y=mx+b you were already given the 'm' and 'b'. so.. y=3x-2
Tommy
Please were did you get y=mx+b from
Abena
y=mx+b is the formula of a straight line. where m = the slope & b = where the line crosses the y-axis. In this case, being that the "m" and "b", are given, all you have to do is plug them into the formula to complete the equation.
Tommy
thanks Tommy
Nimo
0=3x-2 2=3x x=3/2 then . y=3/2X-2 I think
Given
co ordinates for x x=0,(-2,0) x=1,(1,1) x=2,(2,4)
neil
"7"has an open circle and "10"has a filled in circle who can I have a set builder notation
x=-b+_Гb2-(4ac) ______________ 2a
I've run into this: x = r*cos(angle1 + angle2) Which expands to: x = r(cos(angle1)*cos(angle2) - sin(angle1)*sin(angle2)) The r value confuses me here, because distributing it makes: (r*cos(angle2))(cos(angle1) - (r*sin(angle2))(sin(angle1)) How does this make sense? Why does the r distribute once
so good
abdikarin
this is an identity when 2 adding two angles within a cosine. it's called the cosine sum formula. there is also a different formula when cosine has an angle minus another angle it's called the sum and difference formulas and they are under any list of trig identities
strategies to form the general term
carlmark
consider r(a+b) = ra + rb. The a and b are the trig identity.
Mike
How can you tell what type of parent function a graph is ?
generally by how the graph looks and understanding what the base parent functions look like and perform on a graph
William
if you have a graphed line, you can have an idea by how the directions of the line turns, i.e. negative, positive, zero
William
y=x will obviously be a straight line with a zero slope
William
y=x^2 will have a parabolic line opening to positive infinity on both sides of the y axis vice versa with y=-x^2 you'll have both ends of the parabolic line pointing downward heading to negative infinity on both sides of the y axis
William
y=x will be a straight line, but it will have a slope of one. Remember, if y=1 then x=1, so for every unit you rise you move over positively one unit. To get a straight line with a slope of 0, set y=1 or any integer.
Aaron
yes, correction on my end, I meant slope of 1 instead of slope of 0
William
what is f(x)=
I don't understand
Joe
Typically a function 'f' will take 'x' as input, and produce 'y' as output. As 'f(x)=y'. According to Google, "The range of a function is the complete set of all possible resulting values of the dependent variable (y, usually), after we have substituted the domain."
Thomas
Sorry, I don't know where the "Â"s came from. They shouldn't be there. Just ignore them. :-)
Thomas
Darius
Thanks.
Thomas
Â
Thomas
It is the Â that should not be there. It doesn't seem to show if encloses in quotation marks. "Â" or 'Â' ... Â
Thomas
Now it shows, go figure?
Thomas
what is this?
i do not understand anything
unknown
lol...it gets better
Darius
I've been struggling so much through all of this. my final is in four weeks 😭
Tiffany
this book is an excellent resource! have you guys ever looked at the online tutoring? there's one that is called "That Tutor Guy" and he goes over a lot of the concepts
Darius
thank you I have heard of him. I should check him out.
Tiffany
is there any question in particular?
Joe
I have always struggled with math. I get lost really easy, if you have any advice for that, it would help tremendously.
Tiffany
Sure, are you in high school or college?
Darius
Hi, apologies for the delayed response. I'm in college.
Tiffany
how to solve polynomial using a calculator