# 3.5.2: Logarithmic Models


## Logarithmic Models

In prior lessons, you used an exponential model to predict the population of a town based on a constant growth rate such as 6% per year.

In the real world however, populations often do not just grow continuously and without limit. A town originally founded near a convenient water source may grow very quickly at first, but the expansion will slow dramatically as houses and businesses run out of room near the water source, and need to begin transporting water further and further away.

How can a situation like this be modeled with an equation?

## Logarithmic Models

In a prior lesson, we considered the solutions of simple log equations. Now we return to that topic and explore some more complex examples. Solving more complicated log equations can be less difficult than you might think, by using our knowledge of log properties.

For example, consider the equation log2 (x) + log2 (x - 2) = 3. We can solve this equation using a log property.

log2 (x) + log2 (x - 2) = 3
log2 (x(x - 2)) = 3 logb x + logb y = logb(xy)
log2 (x2 - 2x) = 3 ⇒ write the equation in exponential form.
23 = x2 - 2x
x2 - 2x - 8 = 0 Solve the resulting quadratic
(x - 4) (x + 2) = 0
x = -2, 4

The resulting quadratic has two solutions. However, only x = 4 is a solution to our original equation, as log2(-2) is undefined. We refer to x = -2 as an extraneous solution.

## Examples

###### Example 1

Earlier, you were asked how a situation could be modeled with an equation.

Solution

A population that increases continuously at a constant rate may be modeled with an exponential function.

A population that increases rapidly and then levels off may be modeled with a logarithmic function.

###### Example 2

Solve each equation.

1. log (x + 2) + log 3 = 2
2. ln (x + 2) - ln (x) = 1

Solution

1. log (3(x + 2)) = 2 logb x + logb y = logb (xy)
log (3x + 6) = 2 Simplify the expression 3(x+2)
102 = 3x + 6 Write the log expression in exponential form
100 = 3x + 6
3x = 94 Solve the linear equation
x = 94/3
2. $$\ \ln \left(\frac{x+2}{x}\right)=1$$ $$\ \log _{b} x-\log _{b} y=\log _{b}\left(\frac{x}{y}\right)$$
$$\ e^{1}=\frac{x+2}{x}$$ Write the log expression in exponential form.
ex=x+2 Multiply both sides by x.
ex−x=2 Factor out x.
x(e−1)=2 Isolate x.
$$\ x=\frac{2}{e-1}$$

The solution above is an exact solution. If we want a decimal approximation, we can use a calculator to find that x ≈ 1.16. We can also use a graphing calculator to find an approximate solution. Consider again the equation ln (x + 2) - ln (x) = 1. We can solve this equation by solving a system:

$$\ \left\{\begin{array}{l} y=\ln (x+2)-\ln (x) \\ y=1 \end{array}\right.$$

If you graph the system on your graphing calculator, you should see that the curve and the horizontal line intersection at one point. Using the INTERSECT function on the CALC menu (press <2nd>[CALC]), you should find that the x coordinate of the intersection point is approximately 1.16. This method will allow you to find approximate solutions for more complicated log equations.

###### Example 3

Use a graphing calculator to solve each equation:

1. log(5 - x) + 1 = log x
2. log2 (3x + 8) + 1 = log3 (10 - x)

Solution

1. The graphs of y = log (5 - x) + 1 and y = log x intersect at x ≈ 4.5454545.

Therefore the solution of the equation is x ≈ 4.54.

2. First, in order to graph the equations, you must rewrite them in terms of a common log or a natural log. The resulting equations are: $$\ y=\frac{\log (3 x+8)}{\log 2}+1 \text { and } y=\frac{\log (10-x)}{\log 3}$$ The graphs of these functions intersect at x ≈ -1.87. This value is the approximate solution to the equation.
###### Example 4

Consider population growth:

Year Population
1 2000
5 4200
10 6500
20 8800
30 10500
40 12500

Solution

If we plot this data, we see that the growth is not quite linear, and it is not exponential either.

We can find a logarithmic function to model this data. First enter the data in the table in L1 and L2. Then press STAT to get to the CALC menu. This time choose option 9. You should get the function y = 930.4954615 + 2780.218173 ln x. If you view the graph and the data points together, as described in the Technology Note above, you will see that the graph of the function does not touch the data points, but models the general trend of the data.

Note about technology: you can also do this using an Excel spreadsheet. Enter the data in a worksheet, and create a scatterplot by inserting a chart. After you create the chart, from the chart menu, choose “add trendline.” You will then be able to choose the type of function. Note that if you want to use a logarithmic function, the domain of your data set must be positive numbers. The chart menu will actually not allow you to choose a logarithmic trendline if your data include zero or negative x values. See below:

###### Example 5)

Solve for x : log2x−log2(x−4)=12.

Solution

To solve log2x−log2(x−4)=12:

$$\ \log _{2} \frac{x}{x-4}=12$$: Using $$\ \log _{x} y-\log _{x} z=\log _{x} \frac{y}{z}$$

$$\ 2^{12}=\frac{x}{x-4}$$: Write in exponential form

$$\ 4,096=\frac{x}{x-4}$$: With a calculator

4,096x−16384=x : Multiply both sides by x−4

4,095x=16,384 : Simplify

x=4 : Divide

###### Example 6

Biologists use the formula n=k⋅logA to estimate the number of species n that live in a given area A by multiplying by a constant k which changes by location. If a particular rain forest has a constant k of 943 how many species would be estimated to live in an area of 950km2?

Solution

To find the number of species in an area of 950km2:

n=943⋅log950 : Substitute the given k and A values

n=943⋅2.977 : With a calculator

n=2,807

Therefore 2,807 species would likely live in the area.

## Review

Express 1-7 in exponential form:

1. $$\ \log _{12} \frac{1}{1728}=-3$$
2. $$\ \log _{216} 6=\frac{1}{3}$$
3. $$\ \log _{\frac{1}{3}} \frac{1}{9}=3$$
4. $$\ \log _{\frac{1}{4}} \frac{1}{16}=2$$
5. $$\ \log _{5} 125=3$$
6. $$\ \log _{15} 225=2$$
7. $$\ \log _{25} 5=\frac{1}{2}$$

For questions 8-13, solve for x.

1. $$\ \log _{x} 64=2$$
2. $$\ \log _{3} 6561=x$$
3. $$\ \log _{5} x=4$$
4. $$\ \log _{x} 27=3$$
5. $$\ \log _{2} x=6$$
6. $$\ \log _{4} 64=x$$

For questions 14-19, solve for x.

1. $$\ 4 \log \left(\frac{x}{5}\right)+\log \left(\frac{625}{4}\right)=2 \log x$$
2. $$\ \log _{5} z+\frac{\log _{5} 125}{\log _{5} x}=\frac{7}{2}$$
3. $$\ \log p=\frac{2-\log p}{\log p}$$
4. $$\ 2\log x−2\log (x+1)=0$$
5. $$\ \log(25−z^3)−3\log(4−z)=0$$
6. $$\ \frac{\log \left(35-y^{3}\right)}{\log (5-y)}=3$$

## Vocabulary

Term Definition
Common Log A common logarithm is a log with base 10. The log is usually written without the base.
Common Logarithm A common logarithm is a log with base 10. The log is usually written without the base.
exponential model An exponential model is a function reflecting a quantity that grows or decays at a rate proportional to its current value.
Extraneous Solution An extraneous solution is a solution of a simplified version of an original equation that, when checked in the original equation, is not actually a solution.
Logarithmic functions Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions. Recall that logbn=a is equivalent to ba=n.
Natural Log A natural logarithm is a log with base e. The natural logarithm is written as ln.
Natural Logarithm A natural logarithm is a log with base e. The natural logarithm is written as ln.

3.5.2: Logarithmic Models is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by CK-12 Foundation via source content that was edited to conform to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.