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Intermediate Algebra – Student Workbook – Second Edition 2013

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Lesson 4b <strong>–</strong> More on Logarithms<br />

Mini-Lesson<br />

Graphing and Characteristics of the Logarithmic Function<br />

The Change of Base Formula can be used to graph Logarithmic Functions. In the following<br />

examples, we will look at the graphs of two Logarithmic Functions and analyze the<br />

characteristics of each.<br />

Problem 7<br />

WORKED EXAMPLE <strong>–</strong> GRAPHING LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS<br />

Given the function ( ) , graph the function using your calculator and identify the<br />

characteristics listed below. Use window x: [-5..10] and y: [-5..5].<br />

Graphed function: To enter the function into the calculator, we need to rewrite it using the<br />

Change of Base Formula, enter that equation into Y 1 , and then Graph.<br />

( )<br />

Characteristics of the function:<br />

Domain: x > 0,<br />

Interval Notation: (0,∞)<br />

The graph comes close to, but never crosses the y-axis. Any value of x that is less than or<br />

equal to 0 (x ≤ 0) produces an error. Any value of x greater than 0, to infinity is valid. To<br />

the right is a snapshot of the table from the calculator to help illustrate this point.<br />

Range: All Real Numbers,<br />

Interval Notation (-∞,∞)<br />

The graph has y values from negative infinity to infinity. As the<br />

value of x gets closer and closer to zero, the value of y continues to<br />

decreases (See the table to the right). As the value of x gets larger,<br />

the value of y continues to increase. It slows, but it never stops increasing.<br />

y-intercept: Does Not Exist (DNE). The graph comes close to, but never crosses the y-axis.<br />

x-intercept: (1,0) The graph crosses the x-axis when y = 0. This can be checked by looking<br />

at both the graph and the table above as well as by entering the equation into the calculator<br />

(log(1)/log(2))<br />

Left to Right behavior: The value of y quickly increases from -∞ to 0 as the value of x<br />

increases from just above 0 to 1 (Remember that x cannot equal 0). As the value of x<br />

increases from 1 to ∞, the value of y continues to increase (also to ∞), but at a slower and<br />

slower rate.<br />

Scottsdale Community College Page 169 <strong>Intermediate</strong> <strong>Algebra</strong>

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