1. Logarithms the inverse of exponential functions

2. The logarithmic functions help us work easily with very large or very small numbers…. While calculators have helped us do this, notice that the LOG and In buttons are STILL a part of the calculator and are still an important part of higher mathematics. Remember how we had to determine the x intercepts for some exponential graphs with trial and error? Logs will deliver us from this!

3. I like to think of logs as exponents because of the following…. We must become masters of translating an exponential expression into logarithmic and visa versa. This is what we call “ exponential form”. Let’s change it to “logarithmic form”. log 4 64 = 3

4. Look closely how that translation went… log 4 64 = 3 The exponent becomes what the log expression is equal to! See why I said logs are equal to exponents. The BASE in the exponential expression becomes the BASE in the logarithmic expression.

5. You try it! log 2 32 = 5

6. You need to translate in the opposite direction too!

7. Your calculator will ONLY calculate logs base 10. Log is called the “common log”. It is so common that when we are referring to log base 10 we don’t include the base.

8. Your calculator will also calculate logs base e but it uses a different button. ( In) This log is called the natural log and must be used with e. ln 45

9. Practice! EVALUATE: log 2 8 It helps to write it into exponential form. log 2 8 = x So 2 to WHAT POWER results in 8?

10. Practice! EVALUATE: log 36 6 It helps to write it into exponential form. log 36 6 = x So 36 to WHAT POWER results in 6?

11. Practice! EVALUATE: log 5 0.2 It helps to write it into exponential form. log 5 0.2 = x So 5 to WHAT POWER results in 0.2?

12. Practice! EVALUATE:

13. log 100 It helps to write it into exponential form. log 100 = x So 10 to WHAT POWER results in 100?

15. Practice! EVALUATE:

16. Find the inverse of the function. Rewrite it in exponential form…. THEN switch the x and y….

17. Find the inverse of the function. Rewrite it in exponential form…. THEN switch the x and y…. THEN solve for y

18. Find the inverse of the function. Move the 2 over…. Rewrite it into exponential form…. Switch x and y and solve for y.