Unit 5

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

5-1 Exponential Functions

5-2 Logarithmic Functions

5-3 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

5-4 Exponential Growth and Decay
5-1 Exponential Functions

Unit 5 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Concepts & Objectives

Objective #15

Use exponent properties to solve equations

Substitute values into exponential functions

Properties of Exponents

Recall that for a variable x and integers a and b:

x a i x b = x a+ b
xa a −b
= x
xb

(x )
b
a
= x ab

xa b = b xa
xa = xb ⇒ a = b
Simplifying Exponents

Example: Simplify

25x 3 y −2 z 2 3−1 −2−2 2−5 2 −4 −3

1. 2 5 = 5x y z = 5x y z
5xy z

( )
4
2 −3 4 ( 2 ) 4 ( −3 ) 4

2. 2r s t = 24 r s t = 16r 8 s −12t 4
2 1 1
−


23
3. 5 y i 6 y −1 2
= (5)( 6 ) y 3 2
= 30 y 6
Exponential Functions

If a > 0 and a ≠ 0, then
f ( x ) = ax
defines the exponential function with base a.

Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2x

Domain: (–∞, ∞)

Range: (0, ∞)

y-intercept: (0, 1)
Exponential Functions
Characteristics of the graph of f ( x ) = a x :

 1
1. The points −1,  , ( 0,1 ) , (1,a ) are on the graph.
 a

2. If a > 1, then f is an increasing function; if 0 < a < 1, then

f is a decreasing function.
3. The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote.
4. The domain is (–∞, ∞), and the range is (0, ∞).
Exponential Equations

Exponential equations are equations with variables as
exponents.

If you can re-write each side of the equation using a
common base, then you can set the exponents equal to
each other and solve for the variable.

1

Example: Solve 5x = 125 = 53
125
5x = 5−3
x = −3
Exponential Equations

Solve 3x +1 = 9x −3 9 = 32
( )
x −3
x +1
3 = 3 2

3x +1 = 32 x −6
x + 1 = 2x − 6
7=x
Exponential Equations

To solve an equation with exponents, remember you can
“undo” the exponent.

Solve b5 2 = 243
( b)
5
= 243 b5 = 243
or
b = 5 243 = 3 b5 = 2432 = 59049
b=9 b = 5 59049 = 9
Check your solution! 95 2 = 243
( )
5
9 = 243
35 = 243
243 = 243  {9}
Compound Interest

The formula for compound interest (interest paid on
both principal and interest) is an important application
of exponential functions.

Recall that the formula for simple interest, I = Prt, where
P is principal (amount deposited), r is annual rate of
interest, and t is time in years.
Compound Interest

Now, suppose we deposit $1000 at 10% annual interest.
At the end of the first year, we have
I = (1000)( 0.1)(1) = 100
so our account now has 1000 + .1(1000) = $1100.

At the end of the second year, we have
I = (1100)( .1)(1) = 110
so our account now has 1100 + .1(1100) = $1210.
Compound Interest

If we continue, we end up with

Year Account
1 $1100 1000(1 + .1)
2 $1210 1000(1 + .1)2
3 $1331 1000(1 + .1)3
4 $1464.10 1000(1 + .1)4
t 1000(1 + .1)t

This leads us to the general formula.

Compound Interest Formulas

For interest compounded annually:
A = P (1 + r )
t

For interest compounded n times per year:

tn
 r
A = P 1 + 
 n

For interest compounded continuously:
A = Pe rt
Examples
1. If $2500 is deposited in an account paying 6% per year
compounded twice per year, how much is the account
worth after 10 years with no withdrawals?
2(10 )
 .06 
A = 2500 1 +  = $4515.28
 2 
2. What amount deposited today at 4.8% compounded
quarterly will give $15,000 in 8 years?
4( 8 )
 .048 
15000 = P  1 + 
 4 
15000 ≈ P (1.4648 )
P ≈ $10,240.35
Examples
3. If $8000 is deposited in an account paying 5% interest
compounded continuously, how much is the account
worth at the end of 6 years?
(.05)( 6 )
A = 8000e
A ≈ $10,798.87
4. Which is a better deal, depositing $7000 at 6.25%
compounded every month for 5 years or 5.75%
compounded continuously for 6 years?
12(5) ( .0575)( 6)
 .0625  A = 7000 e
A = 7000 1 + 
 12  ≈ $9883.93
≈ $9560.11
Homework

Algebra & Trigonometry

Page 247: 21-45 (×3s)

Turn in: 30, 42

College Algebra

Page 429: 51-66, (×3s), 67, 68, 69-78 (×3s), 83

Turn in: 54, 60, 68, 72, 78