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Exponential and Logarithmic Graphs

A. Graphs of Exponential Functions with any Base
(including e):

For graphs of the form f(x) = a
x
, where a R
+
\{1}: (including e)



The maximal domain is R.
The range is R
+
.
The x-axis is the horizontal asymptote. [i.e. y = 0]
The y-intercept is 1.
They are all increasing functions.

Transformations

Dilation: f(x) = Aa
kx
, where A, k R
+
.
The graph of f(x) = a
x
is dilated by factor A from the x-axis and by factor

from the y-axis

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Reflection: If f(x) = - a
x
is reflected in the x-axis. The graph is a decreasing function instead of
an increasing function. The y-intercept changes to (0,

1) and the range becomes R

.

If f(x) = a
x
. All key features stay the same but the graph is a decreasing function instead of an
increasing function.

Translation: For all of the graphs of the form f(x) = a
x + b
+ B, where b, B R, and a
R
+
\{1},
the maximal domain is R
the range is (B, )
the horizontal asymptote is y = B and they are all increasing functions
b translates the graph horizontally, B translates the graph vertically.


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Example
Sketch the graph of f(x) = 2 e
x 1
, showing intercepts and asymptotes, and stating the domain
and the range showing all working.

















[Complete Ex. 4A and 4C]

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B. Logarithmic Graphs to any Base(including e):
For graphs of the form f(x) = log
a
(x), where a R
+
\{1}: (including e)

The maximal domain is R
+
; that is, there are no negative values of x.
The range is R.
The vertical asymptote is the y-axis so there are no y-intercepts.
The graph crosses the x-axis at (1, 0) because log
a
(1) = 0.
They are all increasing functions.

Transformations

Dilation:
The function f(x) = A log
a
(x) dilates the graph of f(x) = log
a
(x) by a factor of A from the x-axis.
The vertical asymptote, x-intercept, domain and range remain the same. As A increases, the
graph becomes steeper.




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The function f(x) = log
a
(kx) dilates the graph of f(x) = log
a
(x) by a factor from the y-axis. the
vertical asymptote, domain and range stay the same, but the x-intercept is . As k increases, the
graph becomes steeper and the x-intercept becomes smaller.

Reflection:
If f(x) = - log
a
(x) is reflected in the x-axis. All key features remain the same but the graph is a
decreasing function instead of an increasing function.



If f(x) = log
a
(-x) is reflected in the y-axis. The vertical asymptote and the range remain the same
but the x-intercept and the domain change.



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Translation:
For all of the graphs of the form f(x) = A log
a
(x - b) + B, where b, B R, and a R
+
\{1} and e.
the maximal domain is (b,
the range is R
the vertical asymptote is x = b and they are all increasing functions
b translates the graph horizontally, B translates the graph vertically.





Example
Sketch the graph of f(x) = 2 log
e
(3 x) 2, showing intercepts and asymptotes, and stating the
domain, range and transformations. Give exact values or round to 3 decimal places.







[Complete Ex. 4B and 4D]

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E. Finding equations for graphs of Exponential and
Logarithmic functions:
If we know points on the curve, we can substitute the values into the most suitable general
equation:
For an exponential graph the general equation is y = Ae
(x + b)
+ B.
For a logarithmic graph the general equation is y = A log
e
(x + b) + B.
If there are two unknowns two pieces of information are necessary.
Examples
1. The equation of the graph shown is of the form f(x) = ae
x
+ b. Find the values of a and b and
hence find the equation of the function.







2. The equation of the graph shown is of the form y = A loge (x + b) + B. Find the values of A, b and B and
hence find the equation.







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F. Addition of Ordinates:
A graph of the sum of two functions can be drawn by sketching the two functions on the same
set of axes and then adding the y-values for each value of x.
If h(x) = f(x) + g(x), domain h(x) = domain f(x) domain g(x).
Suitable points at which to add ordinates are:
1. the end points of the graph
2. the points of intersection of the two graphs
3. the x-intercepts of the two graphs.
The technique can be used for the difference of the two functions, if it is rewritten as a sum: h(x)
= f(x) g(x) = f(x) + [

g(x)].

Examples
1. State the domain of f(x) = 3x
2
+ log
e
(x).






2. Given the graphs of f(x) and g(x), sketch the graph of h(x) = f(x) + g(x).







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Further Graphs:
Use a CAS calculator to graph the product of two functions or composite functions.
Obtain the equation of any asymptote of the function by considering asymptotic behaviour of the
individual functions.
Even though you are using the CAS calculator to graph these functions you need to clearly label
on the graph:
Asymptotes with equations
axis intercepts as coordinates
Example
Sketch the graph of y = x
2
e
x
using a CAS calculator. Show all axis intercepts and any asymptotes.



















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G. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions with Absolute
Values:

The modulus, or absolute value, function is defined as


For y = f|x|, the graph of y = f(x), where x 0, is reflected in the y-axis.

The rule of the composite function y = f|x|, where f(x) = log
e
(x), x > 0, can be written as:



The rule of the composite function y = f|x|, where f(x) = e
x
, can be written as:







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For y = |f(x)|, negative y-values of y = f(x) are reflected in the x-axis.
To obtain the graph of y = |f(x|, negative y-values of y = f(x) are reflected in the x-axis. The rule
of the composite function y = f|x|, where f(x) = log
e
(x), x > 0, can be written as:


The rule of the composite function y = |f(x)|, where f(x) = e
x
k, k R
+
, can be written as:


Examples
1. For the function y = 2 log
e
|x + 2| 3:
a sketch the graph of y = 2 log
e
|x + 2| 3, showing any asymptotes
b calculate all axis intercepts both in exact form and correct to 2 decimal places
state the domain and range.








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2. a Sketch the graph of y = |e
x
1| showing all axis intercepts and asymptotes.
b State the domain and range.



























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H. Exponential and Logarithmic Modelling using Graphs:
Graphs of these functions can be used to illustrate the model and make predictions for future
changes.
In most cases when modelling real life situations, the domain is restricted to [0, ) because t =
0 when the model begins.
Example
The population of wombats in Snubnose Gully is increasing according to the equation:
W = 100e
0.03t

where W is the number of wombats t years after 1 January 1998.

a Find the initial size of the population.



b Find the population 2 years and 10 years after the number of wombats was first recorded. Give
answers to the nearest whole wombat.



c Graph W against t for 0 t 30.










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d Find the expected size of the population in the year 2020.






e Find the year in which the wombat population reaches 250.