Chapter 5

Exponential and Logarithmic

Functions

4.1 Exponential Functions.

Fix a base b > 0, b 6= 1
f (x) = bx
is called an exponential function with base b and exponent x. The domain of f is the set of all real
1
numbers. Since b > 0, b 2 is also well-defined.
Laws of Exponentials.
Let a and b be positive numbers and let x and y be real numbers. Then

(1) bx by = bx+y .
bx
(2) = bxy .
by
(3) (bx )y = bxy .

(4) (ab)x = ax bx .
 x
a ax
(5) = .
b bx

Example 5.1. Let f (x) = 22x1 . Find all the values of x for which f (x) = 16.

Proof.

22x1 = 16 = 24
2x 1 = 4
5
x= .
2

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 1
If o < b < 1, then b > 1 and  x
1
f (x) = = bx .
b
There are 2 basic types of graphs of exponential functions.

These two graphs are symmetric about y-axis.

Similarly, the graphs for general b are similar.

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Note that if b > 1, then

lim bx =
x+
lim bx = 0
x
 x
1
lim = lim bx = lim bx = 0
x+ b x+ x
 x
1
lim = .
x b

Properties of the Exponential Functions.

Let y = bx , b > 0, b 6= 1.

1. The domain is (, ).

2. Its range is (0, ).

3. Its graph passes through (0, 1).

4. It is continuous on (, ).

5. It is increasing if b > 1 and decreasing if 0 < b < 1.

6. It has horizontal asymptote y = 0.

The common base is b = 10. Among all the bases, there is one called natural base b = e where e is a
special and important number like . Its value is e = 2.7182818 .

common base natural base

10x ex

5.2 Logarithm Functions.

Logarithm is the exponent when the number is written in the exponential form. If

y = bx , b > 0, b 6= 1

then
x := logb y = exponent when y is in the form of b-power.

Since logarithm and exponential functions with same base are the inverse functions of each other,
we have
blogb y = y and logb (by ) = y.
These two formulas are very useful and directly come from the definition.

Example 5.2. Solve for x, if

(a) log3 x = 4,

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 (b) logx 8 = 3.

Proof. (a)
3log3 x = 34 x = 34 = 81.

(b)
xlogx 8 = x3 8 = x3 x = 2.

Notations.

common log natural log

log x = log10 x ln x = loge x

Laws of Logarithms.
If m and n are positive numbers and b > 0, b 6= 1, then

(1) logb (mn) = logb m + logb n.

m


(2) logb n = logb m logb n.
(3) logb (mn ) = n logb m.
(4) logb 1 = 0.
(5) logb b = 1.
loga m
(6) logb m = loga b for any a > 0, a 6= 1. (Change base formula)

Since logb x and bx are inverse of each other, so their graphs are symmetric about y = x.

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Properties of the Logarithm Functions.
Let y = f (x) = logxb , b > 0, b 6= 1.

1. The domain is (0, ).

2. Its range is (, ).

3. Its graph passes through (1, 0).

4. It is continuous on (0, ).

5. It is increasing if b > 1 and decreasing if 0 < b < 1.

6. It has vertical asymptote x = 0.

Example 5.3. Solve the equation

2ex+2 = 5.

Proof. Taking ln to both sides to get

 
ln 2ex+2 = ln(5)
 
ln 2 + ln ex+2 = ln 5
x + 2 = ln 5 ln 2
x = ln 5/2 2 = 1.08.

Example 5.4. Solve the equation

log2 2(2 t) + log2 (1 t) = 5.

Proof.

log2 (2(2 t)(1 t)) = 5.

2log2 (2(2t)(1t)) = 25
2(2 t)(1 t) = 25
(2 t)(1 t) = 24 = 16
t2 3t + 2 = 16
t2 3t 14 = 0
p
3 9 + 4(14) 3 65
t= =
2 2
t = 5.53 or 2.53.

The number t = 5.33 is rejected because substituting back to the original equation, we get log2 (1
5.33) = log2 (4.33) but we cant take log for negative number. Hence t = 2.53.

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Example 5.5. Annual sales in Canada of a particular cancer-fighting drug can be modelled by
160
S(t) = , 0 t 10
1 + 64, 000e2t

measured in millions of dollars, when t = 3 corresponds to the year 1995. In what year did sales reach
80 million dollars.

Proof. We need to solve the equation

160
80 =
1 + 64, 000e2t
1 + 64, 000e2t = 2
64, 000e2t = 1
64, 000 = e2t
2t = ln 64, 000
1
t = ln 64, 000 = 5.53.
2

The answer is year 1995 + 6 = 2001.

5.3 Differentiation of Exponential Functions.

Let f (x) = ex . Then

f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h0 h
ex+h ex
= lim
h0

h 
ex eh 1
= lim
h0 h
eh 1
= ex lim
h0 h
= ex

because it is given that

eh 1
lim = 1.
h0 h
So
d x
e = ex .
dx
This is the only function having its derivative equal to itself.

Example 5.6. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = x2 ex .

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Proof.
 0
f 0 (x) = x2 ex = x2 (ex )0 + ex (x2 )0
= x2 ex + ex (2x)
= x(x + 2)ex .

2 1
Example 5.7. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = ex .

Proof.
 2 1
0
f 0 (x) = ex
2 1
= ex (x2 1)0
2 1
= ex (2x) = 2xe2x1 .

Example 5.8. Find f 0 (t) if f (t) = e 2t .

Proof.
 0
f 0 (t) = e 2t

 0
= e 2 t

0

= e 2 t
2 t
 1 1 
= e 2 t 2
2 t

2
= e 2t .
2 t

ex
Example 5.9. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = ex +1 .

Proof.
0
ex
 
0
f (x) =
ex + 1
(ex + 1)(ex )0 ex (ex + 1)0
=
(ex + 1)2
(e + 1)(ex ) ex (ex )
x
=
(ex + 1)2
ex (ex + 1 ex )
=
(ex + 1)2
ex
= .
(ex + 1)2

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Chain Rule for Exponential Function with Base e.

d  f (x) 
e = ef (x) f 0 (x).
dx

The Derivative of Exponential Function with Base b.

Let y = bx . Then we need to change base from b to e:

y = bx
x
= eln(b ) , because eln y = y.
= e(ln b)x .

Now
dy  0
= e(ln b)x
dx
= e(ln b)x ((ln b)x)0
= e(ln b)x (ln b) = bx (ln b).

Therefore, we have
d x
(b ) = bx (ln b)
dx
and
d  f (x) 
b = bf (x) (ln b)f 0 (x).
dx

2
Example 5.10. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = 35x .

Proof.
 2
0
f 0 (x) = 35x
2
= 35x (ln 3)(5 x2 )0
2
= 35x (ln 3)(2x)
2
= 2(ln 3)x35x .

Example 5.11. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = x2x .

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Proof.

0
f 0 (x) = x2x

0
= x (2x )0 + 2x x
x 1 1
 
x
= x (2 ln 2) + 2
2 x
1
 
= (ln 2) x + 2x .
2 x

1
Example 5.12. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = 3 x .

Proof.
 1
0
f 0 (x) = 3x
 0
1 1
= 3 (ln 3)
x
x
1
 
1
= 3 (ln 3) 2
x
x
ln 3
 
1
= 3x .
x2

52t +3
Example 5.13. Find g 0 (t) if g(t) = t .

Proof.
!0
0 52t + 3
g (t) =
t

0
t 52t + 3 (52t + 3)(t)0
=
t2

t 5 (ln 5)(1) (52t + 3)
2t
=
t2
((ln 5)t + 1)52t + 3
= .
t2

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5.4 Differentiation of Logarithm Functions.
Let y = ln x, x > 0 or y = ln |x|, x 6= 0. Then

ey = e ln x = x
d y d
(e ) = (x)
dx dx
dy
ey =1
dx
dy 1
= ey = .
dx x
Therefore, we have proved
d 1
(ln |x|) =
dx x
and
d f 0 (x)
(ln |f (x)|) = .
dx f (x)

Example 5.14. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = x ln x.

Proof.

f 0 (x) = (x ln x)0
= x(ln x)0 + (ln x)(x)0
1
= x + (ln x)
x
= 1 + ln x.

Example 5.15. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = ln x

x .

Proof.

ln x 0
 
0
f (x) =
x
x(ln x)0 (ln x)(x)0
=
x2
1
x x (ln x)
=
x2
1 ln x
= .
x2

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Example 5.16. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = ln( x + 1).

Proof.

0
f 0 (x) = ln( x + 1)
1
= ( x + 1)0
x+1
1 1
= ( )
x+1 2 x
1
= .
2 x( x + 1)

If the base of logarithm is not e, then we need to change the base first:

ln |x|
logb |x| = .
ln b
Hence
d 1
(logb |x|)) = .
dx x(ln b)
and
d f 0 (x)
(logb |f (x)|)) = .
dx f (x)(ln b)

Example 5.17. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = ln x + x.

Proof.
 0
f 0 (x) = ln x + x
1 1
= (ln x + x) 2 (ln x + x)0
2
1 1
= (ln x + x) 2 (1/x + 1)0
2
x+1 1
= .
2x ln x + x

84
Example 5.18. Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = (log5 (4t))2/3 .

Proof.
 0
f 0 (x) = (log5 (4t))2/3
2
= (log5 (4t))2/31 (log5 (4t))0
3
2 1 1
= (log5 (4t))2/31 ( (4))
3 ln 5 4t
2
= (log5 (4t))1/3 .
3(ln 5)t

Logarithmic Differentiation.
dy
Finding dx by logarithmic differentiation.

1 Take the natural logarithm on both sides of the equation and simplify the resulting equation
using the properties of logarithms.
2 Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x.
dy
3 Solve the resulting equation for dx .

Example 5.19.
y = x2 (x 1)(x2 + 4)3
ln y = ln(x2 ) + ln(x 1) + ln(x2 + 4)3
ln y = 2 ln x + ln(x 1) + 3 ln(x2 + 4)
d d  
ln y = 2 ln x + ln(x 1) + 3 ln(x2 + 4)
dx dx
y0 2 1 2x
= + +3 2
y x x1 x +4
2 1 6x
 
y0 = y + + 2
x x1 x +4
2 1 6x
 
y 0 = x2 (x 1)(x2 + 4)3 + + 2 .
x x1 x +4

Example 5.20.
y = xx
ln y = ln(xx ) = x ln x
d
ln y = (x ln x)0
dx
y0
= 1 + ln x
y
y 0 = y(1 + ln x) = xx (1 + ln x).

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Example 5.21.
1
4 + 3x2 (4 + 3x2 ) 2
y= 3
= 1
x2 + 1 (x2 + 1) 3
1 !
(4 + 3x2 ) 2
ln y = ln 1
(x2 + 1) 3
1 1
ln y = ln(4 + 3x2 ) ln(x2 + 1)
2 3
y0 1 6x 1 2x
=
y 2 4 + 3x2 3 x2 + 1
3x 2x
 
y0 = y
4 + 3x2 3(x2 + 1)

4 + 3x2 3x 2x
 
y0 = .
3
x2 + 1 4 + 3x2 3(x2 + 1)

Example 5.22.

y = xln x
 
ln y = ln xln x
ln y = (ln x)2
y0 ln x
=2
y x
ln x
y 0 = 2y
x
2x ln x ln x
y0 = .
x

5.5 Exponential Functions as Mathematical Models.

Exponential Growth.
Let
Q(t) = Q0 ekt , k > 0.
Then Q0 = Q(0). Also Q0 (t) = kQ0 ekt kQ(t). Hence Q0 (t) Q(t). The exponential growth comes
from the model that the rate of increase is directly proportional to the population at time t.

86
 k = growth constant .

Example 5.23 (Growth of Bacteria). Let

Q(t) = Q0 ekt , t = hours .

Suppose 10, 000 bacteria are present initially and 60, 000 present 2 hours later.

(a) how many bacteria will there be at the end of 4 hours?

(b) What is the rate of growth of population after 4 hours?

Proof. Since
Q0 = Q(0) = 10, 000, and Q(2) = 60, 000
so
1
Q(2) = 60, 000 = Q0 e2k = 10, 000e2k e2k = 6 k = ln 6.
2
Therefore
1
Q(t) = 10, 000et 2 ln 6 .
1
Hence Q(4) = 10, 000e4 2 ln 6 = 10, 000e2 ln 6 = 360, 000 and
1
Q0 (4) = kQ0 e4k = kQ(4) = ( ln 6)(360, 000) = 180, 000 ln 6.
2

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Exponential Decay.
The exponential decay function is
Q(t) = Q0 ekt , k > 0.
The only difference is k is negative and is called decay constant.

Half-Life.
In particular, radioactive substances decay exponentially. The half-life of a radioactive element is
the time required for a given amount to be reduced by one-half. For example, the half-life of radium
is 1600 years.

Q(t) = Q0 ekt
Q0
= Q0 ekth
2
1
= ekth
2
2 = ekth
kth = ln 2
ln 2
th = .
k

Hence we have
ln 2
Half-Life = th = .
k

88
Example 5.24. Suppose there is Q0 = 200 mg of radium. Find the amount left after t years and what
is the amount left after 800 years.

Proof. Since
Q(t) = Q0 ekt
ln 2
Q0 = 200 and half-life, th = 1600, so k = 1600 .

ln 2
Q(t) = 200e 1600 t
 t

ln 2 1600
= 200e
t

= 200 2 1600
t
1
 
1600
= 200 .
2
Therefore 800  1
1 1
 
1600 2
Q(800) = 200 = 200 = 200(0.7071) = 141.42 .
2 2

Carbon -14 dating is a well-known method used by anthropologists to establish the age of animal
and plant-fossils. Assume the proportion of C-14 present in the atmosphere has remained constant
over the past 50000 years. The amount C-14 in the tissues of a living plant or animal is constant.
However, when an organism dies, it stops absorbing new quantities of C-14 and the amount of C-
14 in the remains diminishes because of the natural decay of the radioactive substance. Thus the
approximate age of a plant or animal fossil can be determined by measuring the amount C-14 present
in the remains.
Half-Life of C-14 is 5770 years.

Example 5.25. A skull from an archaeological site has one-tenth the amount of C-14 that is originally
contained. Determine the approximate age of the skull.

Proof. Since Half-Life of C-14 is 7550 years, so

ln 2 ln 2
k= = .
th 5770
Hence
Q(t) = Q0 ekt
ln 2
= Q0 e 5770 t
 t

ln 2 5770
= Q0 e
t
= Q0 2 5770
t
1
 
5770
= Q0 .
2

89
Note that we dont need to know Q0 .
1 ln 2
Q0 = Q0 e 5770 t
10
1 ln 2
= e 5770 t
10
ln 2
10 = e 5770 t
ln 2
ln 10 = t
5770
5770 ln 10
t = = 19, 168 years.
ln 2

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