Unit 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

1.01a
Create and use calculator-generated models for linear, polynomial, exponential, trigonometric, power, and logarithmic
functions of bivariate data to solve problems. Interpret the constants, coefficients, and bases in the context of the data.
1.01b
Create and use calculator-generated models for linear, polynomial, exponential, trigonometric, power, and logarithmic
functions of bivariate data to solve problems. Check models for goodness-of-fit; use the most appropriate model to draw
conclusions and make predictions.
2.01a
Use logarithmic (common, natural) functions to model and solve problems; justify results. Solve using tables, graphs, and
algebraic properties.
2.01b
Use logarithmic (common, natural) functions to model and solve problems; justify results. Interpret the constants, coefficients,
and bases in the context of the problem.

Day Topic Activity

1 Introduce exponential functions Textbook Pg. 384-385
(review) #2-5, #11-29 odd, #39,
#53
Pg, 405 #1-4, 7-9
2 -Discuss ‘e’ and where it comes from -Class Notes on word
-Word problems containing ‘e’ problems
(compounding interest, pop growth,
not finding exponents yet)
-Graphs of ‘e’

3 -Exp to Log and Log to Exp

(switching back and forth)
-Properties of Logarithmic Functions

4 -Solving for exponents, taking logs of

both sides

5 Log rules Quiz

6 -Continue with word problems, using

logs to solve
-Work on CSI Project
7 PSAT PSAT

8 Review

9 CSI PROJECT DAY

10 TEST TEST

CSI Project Due ______________________

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 Day 1 Notes: Exponential Functions
Exponential Function is a function in the form 𝑎 𝑥 , where 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1. a is referred to as the base.

Important Notes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Graph the following functions and identify if they are exponential growth or decay.
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 1𝑥
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3

Find the exponential function whose graph is given

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The same transformation rules follow with the exponential functions as well.
Graph the following functions using the transformation rules.
a) 𝑔(𝑥) = 1 + 2𝑥
b) ℎ(𝑥) = −2𝑥
c) 𝑐(𝑥) = 10𝑥−1

Horizontal Asymptotes

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1
b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 5
c) 𝑘(𝑥) = 4 + 2𝑥−1
d) 𝑝(𝑘) = −2𝑘 + 3

Logarithmic Functions
Every exponential function has an inverse function called the ____________________________

Let a be a positive number with a≠1. The logarithmic function with base a, denoted loga is defined by
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑥 = =
In words, this says, logax is the exponent to which the base a must be raised to give x.

Switching between logarithmic form and exponential form

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Complete the following chart:
Log Form Exp. Form
𝑙𝑜𝑔10 100,000 = 5
23 = 8
1
𝑙𝑜𝑔2 ( ) = −3
8
5𝑟 = 𝑠
Graphing Log Functions
Since the log function is just the inverse of the exponential function, it reflects the graph over the line
y=x).
Graph: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥

1. If we were to rewrite this in exponential form we would get 𝑥 = 2𝑦

To make a table of values, we should only pick x values that are powers of 2.
x y

2. Now we can plot these points and graph the function.

Note: The logarithm with base 10 is called the common log and is denoted by omitting the
base log 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥

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Day 1 Practice

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Graph the following logarithmic functions. Try making a table if you are stuck.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔3 𝑥

2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔4 𝑥

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 Day 2 Notes: The Natural Exponential Function

“Euler’s number,” or e, is a constant (similar to pi). “e” is approximately 2.71828. It is the

limit of (1 + 1/n)n as n becomes large.

The natural exponential function is the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 with base e.

We can use e for several types of word problems.

Compound Interest
Compound interest is interest compounded after different amounts of time periods,
therefore becoming an exponential function.
Compound Interest is calculated by the formula

A(t)=
P=
r=
n=
t=
Key words:
Yearly= Monthly = Quarterly = Semi-annually= Daily=

Ex 1: A sum of $1000 is invested at an interest rate of 12% per year. Find the amounts in
the account after 3 years if interest is compounded annually, semiannually, quarterly,
monthly and daily

Ex 2: How much would you have to invest in order to have $700 after 2 years if the
interest is compounded quarterly at an interest rate of 7.5%?

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Continuously Compounded Interest

A(t) =
P=
r=
t=

Ex 1: Find the amount after 3 years if $1000 is invested at an interest rate of 12% per year,
compounded continuously.

Ex 2: Find the initial amount invested if after 3 years at an interest rate of 5.75%
compounded continuously, you have $7500.

Exponential Growth/Decay
A population that experiences exponential growth increases according to the model

n(t)=
n0=
r=
t=

Ex 1: The initial bacterium count in a culture is 400. A biologist later makes a sample count
of bacteria in the culture and finds that the relative rate of growth is 40% per 2 hours.
a) Find a function that models the number of bacteria after t hours
b) What is the estimated count after 8 hours?

Ex 2: A certain breed of rabbit was introduced into a small island about 8 years ago. The
current rabbit population on the island is estimated to be 4100, with a relative growth
rate of 55% per year. What was the initial size of the rabbit population?

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Half Life
If
1. m0 is the initial mass of a radioactive substance with half-life h, then the mass
remaining at time t is modeled by the function

Where 𝑟 =

***UNITS OF TIME ARE THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE PROBLEM!

Ex 1: Polonium-210 has a half life of 140 days. Suppose a sample of this substance has
a mass of 300 mg.

a) Find a function that models the amount of the sample remaining at time t

b) Find the mass remaining after one year

Ex 2: The half-life of a radioactive substance is one hundred fifty-three days. How

many days will it take for seventy percent of the substance to decay?

Practice:
1. William wants to have a total of $4000 in two years so that he can put a hot tub on
his deck. He finds an account that pays 5% interest compounded monthly. How
much should William put into this account so that he’ll have $4000 at the end of two
years?

2. Kelly plans to put her graduation money into an account and leave it there for 4
years while she goes to college. She receives $750 in graduation money that she puts
it into an account that earns 4.25% interest compounded semi-annually. How much
will be in Kelly’s account at the end of four years?

3. If interest is compounded continuously at 4.5% for 7 years, how much will a $2000
investment be worth at the end of 7 years?

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4. If $8000 is invested in an account that pays 4% interest compounded continuously,
how much is in the account at the end of 10 years?

5. If a $500 certificate of deposit earns 4.25% compounded continuously then how

much will be accumulated at the end of a 3 year period?

6. A certain investment earns 8.75% compounded continuously. If $10,000 dollars is

invested for 5 years how much will be in the account after 5 years?

7. A certain bacterium has an exponential growth rate of 25% per day. If we start with
0.5 gram and provide unlimited resources how much bacteria can we grow in 2
weeks?

8. The half-life of chromium-51 is 28 days. If the sample contained 510 grams, how
much chromium would remain after 56 days? How much would remain after 1 year?

9. Titanium-51 decays with a half life of 6 minutes. What fraction of titanium would
remain after one hour?

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 Logarithms

The logarithm with base a of a positive number x is defined as:

For x > 0 and 0 < a ≠ 1,

y = loga x if and only if x = ay

In functional notation:
f(x) = loga x is called the logarithmic function with base a

Because the logarithm with base e is used so frequently it has been given a special name
Natural logarithm and abbreviation ln. The function is defined as:

f(x) = loge x = ln x x > 0 is the natural logarithmic function.

By definition, the natural log function has an inverse function which is an exponential
function.
ln 𝑥 = 𝑦 ↔ 𝑒 𝑦 = 𝑥

Properties of Logarithms

1. loga 1 = 0 because a0 = 1
2. loga a = 1 because a1 = a
3. loga ax = x Inverse Properties
4. a log x = x Inverse Properties

Properties of Natural Logarithms

All of the properties of logarithms listed above work for Natural Logarithms. There are
also some special properties that apply only to the Natural Logarithms.

1. ln 1 = 0 because e0 = 1
2. ln e = 1 because e1 = e
3. ln ex = x Inverse Properties
4. e ln x = x Inverse Properties

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Examples:
Evaluate the following:
a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 1 = d) 5𝑙𝑜𝑔5 12 = 1
f) ln ( 2 ) =
𝑒
b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 58 = e) ln 𝑒 8 =
c) 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 5 =
g) ln 5 =

Practice: Use the definition of logs to find x

Evaluate

Laws of Logarithms

Examples: Use the laws of logs to rewrite each expression

a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 (6𝑥) 𝑎𝑏
d) ln( 3
√𝑐
b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔√5
c) 𝑙𝑜𝑔5 (𝑥 3 𝑦 6 )
Use the laws of logs to evaluate each expression
1
a) 𝑙𝑜𝑔4 (2) + 𝑙𝑜𝑔4 (32) c) − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 8
3
b) 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 (80) + 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 (5)

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Log Rules Practice

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 Solving Logarithmic Equations

Guidelines for solving exponential equations

Example:
a) Find the solution of the equation  2  log( 2)  log( 3  x)

b) Find the solution to the equation log4 ( x  4)  log 4 x  log 4 5

c) Find the solution to the equation ln 2𝑥 + ln 4 = 3

Practice:

1) log 2 ( x  2)  log 2 5  4 2) log 4 (2 x  1)  log 4 ( x  2)  1

3) log6 ( x  2)  2 4) log3 x  log3 ( x  2)  1

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 Solving Exponential Equations
Guidelines for solving exponential equations
1. Isolate the exponential expression on one side of the equation
2. Take the log of each side, then use the Laws of Logs to “bring down the exponent”
3. Solve for the variable

Example:
c) Find the solution of the equation 3𝑥+2 = 7

d) Find the solution to the equation 8𝑒 2𝑥 = 20

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Day 6: Word Problems
1. How long does it take for an investment to double in value if it is invested at 8% per annum
compounded monthly? Compounded continuously?

2. If Akul has $100 to invest at 8% per annum compounded monthly, how long will it be before he
has $150? If the compounding is continuous, how long will it be?

3. How many years will it take for an initial investment of $10,000 to grow to $25,000? Assume a
rate of interest of 6% compounded continuously

4. Sears charges 1.25% per month on the unpaid balance for customers with charge accounts
(compounded monthly). A customer charges $200 and does not pay her bill for 6 months. What is
the bill at that time?

5. Rupurt will be buying a new car for $15000 in three years. How much money should he ask his
parents for now so that, if he invests it at 5% compounded continuously, he will have enough to
buy a new car?

6. A business purchased for $650000 in 1994 is sold in 1997 for $850000. What is the annual rate of
return for this investment?

7. Tanya has just inherited a diamond ring appraised at $5000. If diamonds have appreciated in
value at an annual rate of 8%, what was the value of the ring 10 years ago when the ring was
purchased?

8. On January 1, Kim places $1000 in a certificate of deposit that pays 6.8% compounded
continuously and matures in 3 months. Then Kim places the $1000 and the interest in a passbook
account that pays 5.25% compounded monthly. How much does Kim have in the passbook
account on May 1?
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9. The population of a colony of mosquitoes obeys the law of uninhibited growth. If there are 1000
mosquitoes initially, and there are 1800 after one day, what is the size of the colony after 3 days?
How long is it till there are 10000 mosquitoes?

10. The population of a southern city follows the exponential law. If the population doubled in size
over an 18-month period and the current population is 10000, what will be the population 2 years
from now?

11. The half-life of Radium is 1690 years. If ten grams are present now, how much will be present in
50 years?

12. A piece of charcoal is found to contain 30% of the carbon-14 it originally had. When did the tree
from which the charcoal came die? Use 5600 years as the half-life of carbon-14.

13. After the release of radioactive material into the atmosphere in Ukraine in 1986, the hay in
Austria was contaminated by iodine-131 (half life 8 years). If it is okay to feed the hay to cows
when 10% of the iodine-131 remains, how long do the farmers need to wait to use this hay?

14. The size of P of a certain insect population at time t (in days) obeys the equation P  500e0.02t .
After how many days will the population reach 1000? When will it reach 2000?

15. The half-life of radium is 1690 years. If 10 grams are present now, how much will be present in 50
years?

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 AFM Unit 3 Exp and Log Test – Study Guide

*Complete #1-25 all. For #26-100, pick and choose questions to do as needed.

I. Write the equation in exponential form. Do NOT evaluate.

1. log5 47  x __________________ 2. ln 9  z _________________

II. Write the equation in logarithmic form. Do NOT evaluate.

3. 7  x _____________________  k __________________
3 5x
4. e

III. Evaluate each expression. Write your answer in the blank space. Round your answer to 2 decimal places.

log5 30
5. log 4 36 6. log3 25 7. 5

5. _____________ 6. _____________ 7. _____________

8. ln 21 9. log 4 1 10. Which is larger, log3 300 or log 6 800 ?

8. _____________ 9. _____________ 10. _____________

IV. Solve each equation. Show your work. Round your answer to 2 decimal places.
11. 5
4 x 6
 23 12. e
.26t
 68 13. 20e.4t  160

11. _______________ 12. _______________ 13. _______________

14. 3
6 x3
6 15. log (t – 20) = 6 16. 3 ln (2 – x) = 9

14. _______________ 15. _______________ 16. _______________

VI. Solve the following problems. Be sure to first include the formula you will use for the problem, then show all of your
work! Round your answer to 2 decimal places. Please circle or box your final answer!

17. The number of a certain species of fish is modeled by the function n(t )  23e
0.053t
where t is measured in years and n(t) is
measured in millions.
a) Express as a percentage, the relative rate of growth of the fish population. ________

b) What was the initial fish population? _____________

c) What will the fish population be after 7 years? Show your work! _______________

18. Ashley will be buying a car for $24000 in five years. How much money should she ask her parents for now so that, if she invests
at 8.2% compounded continuously, she will have enough to buy the new car?

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19. Suppose that $6,045 is invested in a savings account paying 7.25% interest per year.
a) Write the formula for the amount in the account after t years if interest is compounded semiannually. ________________

b) Find the amount in the account after 5 years. _____________________

c) How long will it take for the amount in the account to grow to $9,500?

20. A sum of $1475 was invested for six years and the interest was compounded monthly. If this sum amounted to $4832.46 after the
given time, what was the interest rate? Show your work!

21. Find a function that models the rabbit population in a North Carolina county after 1996. Assume that the population grows
exponentially. In 1996, the population was 20,000 rabbits and in 2000 the population was 53,000. In what year will the
population reach 100,000?

22. The half life of radium-226 is 5 days. After 25 days a sample has been reduced to 0.375 g.

a) What was the initial mass of the sample?

b) After how many days will only 0.15 g remain?

23. What interest rate is required for an investment with continuously compounded interest to double in 20 years?

24. How long does it take for an investment to double in value if it is invested at 5% compounded weekly (n=52)?

25. If the interest rates are the same, would you choose a savings account that compounded interest weekly or continuously? Why?

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Condense the Following
1 2
26) log5 2  log5 3  log5 4 27) log 2 48  log 2 27 28) ln 8  2 ln 5 29) log M  3log N
3 3

1 1
30)  log M  log N  log P  31) 5  log A  log B   2log C 32) log8 80  log8 5 33) ln 25  ln 2
2 2

Expand the following:

1
34) ln 35) log3 11x 36) log 3 3 x  1 37) log 4 3x
t

z 5 x2 y
38) log 2 39) ln 40) log 5 xy 41) ln
17 x2 z7

Solve:
1
42) 2log6 4  log6 16  log6 x 43) log6 18  log6  x  2  2 44) log x  log x  log x  log8
4

45) log  x  3  log  x  1  log8 46) 3log7 4  4log7 3  log7 x 47) log5  x  2  log5  x  2   1

1 1
48) log2  4 x  10  log2  x  1  4 49) log 6 x  log 6 9  log 6 27 50) log5  log x  1
2 3

51) log 5  log x 2  2 52) log x  log 4  1 53) log3  log y  2

54) log3  2 x  5  log3  x 2  4 x  4   2

Evaluate the following

1 1
55) log 2 32 56) log9 27 57) ln e 58) log10 (0.001) 59) log 6 1 60) log 7 3 61) ln
7 e

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 1 1
62) log 1 9 63) log 4 5 4 64) ln1 65) log36 6 66) log 5 67) log 4 16 68) ln
3 125 e3

1 1
69) log7 7 70) log16 2 71) log3 72) log 4 x  3 73) log 9 x  74) log x 8  3
9 2

Solve
75) 2x  45 76) 3x  3.6 77) 102 y  52 78) 73 y  126 79) 3x 4  6

1 x 1 3x
80) 10x 6  250 81) 3e x  42 e 5 e  20 84) 250 1.04   1000
x
82) 83)
4 2

x
85) 300e 2  9000 86) 10000.12 x  25000 87)
5
 4   300 14) 6  2x1  1
1 x 2
88) 7  e2 x  28

 x

89) 8  12e x  7 90) 4  e2 x  10 91) 32  e7 x  46 92) 23  5e x 1  3 93) 4 1  e 3   84
 

VI. Word Problems

94) Find the amount of money that results if $100 is invested at 4% compounded quarterly for 2 years.

95) A sum of $1500 was invested for 5 years, and the interest was compounded monthly. If this sum amounted to $1633 in the given time,
what was the interest rate? compounded quarterly after a period of 2 years.

96) How many years will it take for an initial investment of $25,000 to grow to $80,000? Assume a rate of interest of 7% compounded
continuously.

97) The size of P of a certain insect population at time t (in days) obeys the equation P  500e
0.02t
. After how many days will the
population reach 1000? When will it reach 2000?

98) The half-life of radium is 1690 years. If 28 grams are present now, how much will there be in 25 years?

99) The population of a southern city follows an exponential model If the population doubled in size over an 18 month period and the current
population is 10,000, what will the population be 2 years from now?

100) Salt (NaCl) decomposes in water into sodium and chloride ions according to the law of uninhibited decay. If the initial amount of salt is 25
kilograms and after 10 hours, 15 kg. of salt is left, how much salt is left after 1 day?
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