ZAMBOANGA CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Written Report

In

General Mathematics

Instructor: Kristino Carlo A. Villanos

Reporter: Alhadzra J. Alih

Topic: Lesson 22: Graphing Logarithmic Function

INTRODUCTION

Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions, and any exponential function
can be expressed in logarithmic form. (Spector, 2018) Similarly, all logarithmic functions can be
rewritten in exponential form. Logarithms are really useful in permitting us to work with very
large numbers while manipulating numbers of a much more manageable size. (Dr Carol, 2018)

I. OBJECTIVES
 To be able to represent a logarithmic function through its table of values, graph, and
equation.
 To find the domain and range of a logarithmic function, and graph logarithmic
functions.
 Identify whether a logarithmic function is increasing or decreasing and give the
interval.
 Identify the features of a logarithmic function that make it an inverse of an
exponential function.

I. DISCUSSION

In the following examples, the graph is obtained by first plotting a few points. Results will be
generalized later on.

Example 1. Sketch the graph of y = log2x.

Solution.

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function. A table of values for
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥 is as follows:
x 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them using a smooth curve.
It can be observed that the function is defined only for x > 0. The function is strictly increasing,
and attains all real values. As x approaches 0 from the right, the function decreases without
bound, i.e., the line x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.

Example 2. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔1⁄ 𝑥.

2

Solution.

Step 1: Construct a table of values of ordered pairs for the given function. A table of values for

y = log2x is as follows:

x 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
y 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3

Step 2: Plot the points found in the table, and connect them using a smooth curve.

It can be observed that the function is defined only for x > 0. The function is strictly decreasing,
and attains all real values. As x approaches 0 from the right, the function increases without
bound, i.e., the line x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.

In general, the graphs of y = logbx, where b > 0 and b 1 are shown below.
PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS:

1. The domain is the set of all positive numbers, or {x | x > 0}.

2. The range is the set of all positive real numbers.

3. It is a one-to-one function. It satisfies the Horizontal Line Test.

4. The x-intercept is 1. There is no y-intercept.

5. The vertical asymptote is the line x = 0 (or the y-axis). There is no horizontal asymptote.

Relationship between the Graphs of Logarithmic and Exponential Functions

Since logarithmic and exponential functions are inverses of each other, their graphs are
reflections of each other about the line y = x, as shown below.

Example 3. Sketch the graphs of y = 2log2x. Determine the domain, range, vertical asymptote,
x-intercept, and zero.

Solution.

The graph of y = 2log2x can be obtained from the graph of y = log2x by multiplying each y-
coordinate by 2, as the following table of signs shows.
x 1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄ 1 2 4 8
16 8 4 2
𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
𝑦 = 2 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
The graph is shown below.

Analysis:

a. Domain: {x | x Є R , x > 0}

b. Range : {y | y Є R }

c. Vertical Asymptote: x = 0

d. x-intercept: 1

e. Zero: 1

Example 4. Sketch the graph of y = log3x – 1.

Solution.

Sketch the graph of the basic function y = log3x. Note that the base 3 > 1. The “–1” means
vertical shift downwards by 1 unit.

Some points on the graph of y = log3x are (1,0), (3,1), and (9,2). Shift these points 1 unit down to
obtain (1, –1), (3,0), and (9,1). Plot these points.
Analysis:

a. Domain: {x | x Є R, x > 0}

b. Range: {y | y Є R }

c. Vertical Asymptote: x = 0

d. x-intercept: 3

The x-intercept can be obtained graphically. Likewise, we can solve for the xintercept
algebraically by setting y = 0:

0 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔3 𝑥 − 1
𝑙𝑜𝑔3 = 1

𝑥 = 31 = 3
Example 5. Sketch the graph of y = log0.25(x + 2).

Solution.

Sketch the graph of the basic function y = log0.25x.Note that the base 0 < 0.25 < 1. Rewrite the
equation, obtaining y = log0.25[x – (–2)]. The “–2” means a horizontal shift of 2 units to the left.

Some points on the graph of y = log0.25x are (1,0), (4, –1), and (0.25,1).

Shift these points 2 units to the left to obtain (–1,0), (2, –1), and (–1.75,1). Plot these points.

Graph:
Analysis:

a. Domain: {x | x Є R, x >–2}

(The expression x+2 should be greater than 0 for log0.25(x+2) to be defined. Hence, x must be
greater than –2.)

b. Range : {y | y Є R }

c. Vertical Asymptote: x = –2

d. x-intercept: –1

e. Zero: –1

II. GENERALIZATION

The examples above can be generalized to form the following guidelines for graphing
transformations of logarithmic functions:

Graph of f(x) = a logb(x – c) + d

 The value of b (either b > 1 or 0 < b < 1) determines whether the graph is increasing or
decreasing.
 The value of a determines the stretch or shrinking of the graph. Further, if a is negative,
there is a reflection of the graph about the x-axis.
 Based on y = a logbx, the vertical shift is d units up (if d > 0) or d units down (if d < 0),
and the horizontal shift is c units to the right (if c > 0) or c units to the left (if c < 0).

III. APPLICATION
 If you take pictures by your cellphone or camera, you need to use logarithmic
function to estimate the exposure. The only difference is that the decibel uses base-
10 logarithmic scale while the exposure value (EV) uses base-2 log scale. (Exposure
value)
 Logarithmic function also helps you to make financial decisions. If you want to trade
stocks of futures or something else, a common tool is logarithmic returns because it
is symmetric. (Harcourt, 2016)
 References

Harcourt, Houghton (2016). .Logarithmic functions.

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/algebra/algebra-ii/exponential-and-logarithmic-
functions/logarithmic-functions

Dr Carol JVF Burns (2018). Tree of math.

http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/Math/Algebra_II_obj/log_fcts.htm

Spector, Lawrence (2018).The math page.

http://www.themathpage.com/aPreCalc/logarithmic-exponential-functions.htm

Domingo, Sophia (October 2016). General Mathematics G11 Teaching Guide (First Edition)

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/SophiaDomingo1/general-mathematicssenior-highschool-
teaching-guide