Definition

Logarithmic Function

The logarithmic function with base aa, denoted as f(x)=logaxf(x) = \log_a x, is formally defined as the inverse of the exponential function f(x)=axf(x) = a^x. It is defined for x>0x > 0, where the base a>0a > 0 and aeq1a eq 1. Although the one-to-one property of an exponential function guarantees that it has an inverse, there is no basic algebraic operation to solve an equation like x=ayx = a^y for yy. Therefore, the logarithmic function is uniquely introduced to represent this inverse relationship, where the notation f1(x)=logaxf^{-1}(x) = \log_a x mathematically 'undoes' the exponential function.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-26

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.10 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Learn After