6.

3
Transformations of
Logarithmic Functions
Transformations apply to logarithmic functions in the
same way as they do to other functions. Recall the
following transformations and their geometric effects
on a graph:
• f(x) → f(x)  c
• f(x) → f(x  d)
• f(x) → af(x)
• f(x) → f(kx)
What type of transformation does each of these
represent? Will these transformations produce the
same effects on logarithmic functions?

Investigate How do transformations affect the graph of a logarithmic function?

For this investigation, you will use the common logarithm function f(x)  log x. Tools
One or more of the following tools
A: The Effects of c and d in f(x) ⴝ log (x ⴚ d) ⴙ c are recommended:
1. Graph the function f(x)  log x. • computer with The Geometer’s
Sketchpad
2. Based on your knowledge of transformations, predict what the graph of ®
• graphing calculator
f(x)  log x  c will look like. Verify your prediction using technology.

Technology Tip s
If you are using The Geometer’s Sketchpad , parameters
can be helpful. Follow these steps:
®
• From the Graph menu, choose New Parameter.
• In the name field, type c and click on OK.
• From the Graph menu, choose Plot New Function.
A dialogue box will appear.
• From the Functions menu, choose log and type x)ⴙ.
Click on the parameter c and click on OK.
A graph of the function f(x)  log x  c will appear.
You can change the value of c in the following ways:
• To enter a specific value, right-click on the parameter
and type in the value.
• To increase or decrease by increments of one, click on
the parameter and type the M or L key.
• To dynamically change continuously, right-click on the
parameter and choose Animate Parameter. Use the
various commands in the Motion Controller.

6.3 Transformations of Logarithmic Functions • MHR 331

 3. a) Repeat step 2 for the function f(x)  log (x  d).
b) R e f l e c t Why do you think a minus sign is normally used with this
type of transformation?
4. a) Predict what will happen when these transformations are combined:
f(x)  log (x  d)  c.
b) R e f l e c t Test your prediction. Write a summary of the effects of these
transformations on the graph of f(x)  log x.

B: The Effects of a and k in f(x)  a log (kx)

1. Design and carry out an investigation to explore the effect of a on the
graph of f(x)  a log x. Include both positive and negative values.
Take note of your observations.
2. Repeat step 1 for the effect of k on the graph of f(x)  log (kx).
3. R e f l e c t Summarize the effects of translations, stretches, and reflections
of the function f(x)  log x, using algebraic and graphical reasoning.

Example 1 Translations
a) Graph the function y  log (x  2)  5.
b) State the key features of the function.
i) domain and range
ii) x-intercept, if it exists
iii) y-intercept, if it exists
iv) equation of the asymptote

Solution
a) This function can be graphed by applying a horizontal and a vertical
translation to the graph of y  log x.
y  log (x  2)  5

translate translate
y
right 2 units down 5 units
2
y  log x
Apply the horizontal translation first.
0 2 4 6 8 x
y  log x  2
2

4

6

332 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 The vertical asymptote has shifted to the line x  2. The x-intercept has
become x  3.
Now apply the vertical translation.
y
2

0 2 4 6 8 x
y  log x  2
2

4

6 y  log x  2  5

8

b) i) domain {x ∈ ⺢, x > 2}; range {y ∈ ⺢}

ii) The x-intercept occurs when y  0:
y  log (x  2)  5
0  log (x  2)  5
5  log (x  2)
105 x2 Rewrite in exponential form.
10  2
5
x
100 002 x
The x-intercept is 100 002.
iii) The y-intercept occurs when x  0:
y  log (x  2)  5
 log (0  2)  5
 log (2)  5
Because log (2) is undefined, there is no y-intercept.
iv) The vertical asymptote occurs when x  2  0. Thus, the vertical
asymptote is at x  2.

Example 2 Stretches, Reflections, and Translations

a) Sketch a graph of each function.
i) y  5 log (x  3)
ii) y  log (2x)  4
b) Identify the key features of each function.

Solution
a) When applying multiple transformations, it can be helpful to focus on
certain anchor points, such as (1, 0) and (10, 1), as well as the position
of the asymptote.

6.3 Transformations of Logarithmic Functions • MHR 333

 i) y  5 log (x  3)
A graph of this function can be obtained by applying a vertical stretch
and a horizontal translation to the graph of y  log x.
y  5 log (x  3)

stretch vertically translate left

by a factor of 5 3 units

Apply the vertical stretch y

6
first. Consider the anchor y  5 log x
points as y  log x is 4
transformed to y  5 log x:
2 y  log x
(1, 0) → (1, 0)
(10, 1) → (10, 5) 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 x
The asymptote will remain 2
at x  0 at this stage.
4

6

Now apply the horizontal y

shift from y  5 log x to
6 y  5 log x  3

y  5 log (x  3). 4 y  5 log x

The anchor points
2
and vertical asymptote
will both shift 3 units
4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 x
to the left:
2
(1, 0) → (2, 0)
(10, 5) → (7, 5) 4

6

ii) y  log (2x)  4

The graph of this function can be obtained by applying a horizontal
compression, a horizontal reflection, and a vertical translation to the
graph of y  log x.
y  log (2x)  4

reflect horizontally compress horizontally translate

in the y-axis 1
by a factor of _ up 4 units
2

334 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 Apply the horizontal compression y
first from y  log x to y  log (2x). 4
The anchor points move as follows:
2 y  log 2x
(1, 0) → (0.5, 0)
y  log x
(10, 1) → (5, 1) 0 2 4 6 8 10 x
The asymptote will remain 2
at x  0 at this stage.
4

Now reflect the graph in the y-axis y

to transform y  log (2x) to
4
y  log (2x).
(0.5, 0) → (0.5, 0) y  log 2x 2 y  log 2x

(5, 1) → (5, 1) x
4 2 0 2 4
2

4

Finally, apply the vertical y

translation to transform y  log 2x  4 4
y  log (2x) to y  log (2x)  4.
(0.5, 0) → (0.5, 4) y  log 2x 2

(5, 1) → (5, 5)
8 6 4 2 0 2x
The vertical asymptote 2
has remained unchanged
throughout these transformations. 4

b) i) For the function y  5 log (x  3):

domain {x ∈ ⺢, x > 3}; range {y ∈ ⺢}
The x-intercept occurs when y  0:
y  5 log (x  3)
0  5 log (x  3)
0  log (x  3)
100  x  3 Rewrite in exponential form.
1 x3
2  x
The x-intercept is 2.
The y-intercept occurs when x  0:
y  5 log (x  3)
 5 log (0  3)
 5 log 3
⬟ 2.386
The y-intercept is approximately 2.386.
There is a vertical asymptote at x  3.

6.3 Transformations of Logarithmic Functions • MHR 335

 ii) For the function y  log (2x)  4:
domain {x ∈ ⺢, x  0}; range {y ∈ ⺢}
The x-intercept occurs when y  0:
y  log (2x)  4
0  log (2x)  4
4  log (2x)
104  2x Rewrite in exponential form.

(_12 ) 10 4
x

(0.5)104  x
x  0.000 05
The x-intercept is 0.000 05.
The y-intercept occurs when x  0:
y  log (2x)  4
 log [2(0)]  4
 log (0)  4
Because log 0 is undefined, there is no y-intercept.
There is a vertical asymptote at x  0.

Example 3 Transformations
Sketch a graph of the function y  log (2x  4).

Solution
The graph of this function can be obtained by applying a horizontal
compression and a horizontal translation of the graph of y  log x, but
the argument must be factored first, to be in the form y  log [k(x  d)].
y  log (2x  4)
 log [2(x  2)]

y  log [2(x  2)]

compress horizontally translate right

1
by a factor of _ 2 units
2
y
Apply the horizontal compression
first from y  log x to y  log (2x). 4
The anchor points move as follows:
2 y  log 2x
(1, 0) → (0.5, 0) y  log x
(10, 1) → (5, 1) 2 0 2 4 6 8 x

The vertical asymptote will remain 2

at x  0 at this stage. 4

336 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 Then, apply the horizontal y
translation to transform 4
y  log (2x) to y  log [2(x  2)].
2 y  log 2x
(0.5, 0) → (2.5, 0)
(5, 1) → (7, 1) 2 0 2 4 6 8x
y  log 2x  2
2
The vertical asymptote has also
shifted to the right to x  2. 4

< KEY CONCEPTS

>
The techniques for applying transformations to logarithmic functions
are the same as those used for other functions:
• y  log x  c Translate up c units if c  0.
Translate down c units if c  0.
• y  log (x  d) Translate right d units if d  0.
Translate left d units if d  0.
• y  a log x Stretch vertically by a factor of a if a  1.
Compress vertically by a factor of a if a  1.
Reflect in the x-axis if a  0.
• y  log (kx) Compress horizontally by a factor of _
    
1 if k  1.


k
Stretch horizontally by a factor of _1 if k  1, k 苷 0.
k
Reflect in the y-axis if k  0.
It is easier to perform multiple transformations in a series of steps:
Step 1: Ensure that the function is in the form f(x)  a log [k(x  d)]  c.
Step 2: Apply any horizontal or vertical stretches or compressions.
Step 3: Apply any reflections.
Step 4: Apply any horizontal or vertical translations.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Explain how you could graph each function by applying transformations.
a) y  log (x  2)  7
b) f(x)  3 log x
c) y  log (3x)  5
C2 Let f(x)  log x, g(x)  log x, and h(x)  log (x).
a) How are the graphs of f and g related? Are these functions inverses of
each other? Explain your answer.
b) How are the graphs of f and h related? Are these functions inverses of
each other? Explain your answer.
c) Are g and h inverses of each other? Explain.

6.3 Transformations of Logarithmic Functions • MHR 337

 A Practise
For help with questions 1 to 3, refer to Example 1. 2. Let f(x)  log x. Describe the transformations
1. Match each equation to its graph. that would map f onto g in each case.
a) y  log (x  3) b) y  log x  3 a) g(x)  log (x  2)
c) y  log (x  3) d) y  log x  3 b) g(x)  log (x  5)  4
y c) y
i)
4 4
gx  log x  1
2 2

x 2 0 2 4 6 x
4 2 0 2 4
2 2

4 4

y d) y
ii) 2

0 2 4 6 8 x
8 6 4 2 0 2 x
2
2
4
4
gx  log x  4  6
y 6
iii)
4 8

2 3. Sketch a graph of each function. Identify the

key features of each.
0 2 4 6 8 x
a) y  log x  2
2
b) f(x)  log (x  3)
4 c) y  log (x  3)  4
d) f(x)  log (x  5)  1
iv) y For help with questions 4 to 8, refer to
4
Examples 2 and 3.
4. Each of the following graphs can be generated
2
by stretching or compressing the graph of
y  log x. Write an equation to correctly
0 2 4 6 8 x
describe each graph.
2
a) y
4
4

2 0 2 4 6 8 10 x
2

338 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 b) y 5. Let f(x)  log x. Describe the
4 transformation(s) that would map f
onto g in each case.
2 1 log x
a) g(x)  _ b) g(x)  log (5x)
2
2 0 2 4 6 8x c) y
4
2

4 y  log 0.5x 2

12 8 4 0 4x

c) y 2
4
4
2

x d) y
4 0 4 8 12 16 20
2 4 y  5 log x

4 2

y 0 2 4 x
d)
2
2
4
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 x
2 6. Graph each function.
a) y  4 log x b) y  log _1x
3 ( )
1 log x
c) f(x)  _ d) y  log (4x)
3
7. Graph each function.
a) y  log (x  4) b) y  log (x)  3

B Connect and Apply

8. Refer to question 7. For each function, 10. Describe what happens to the domain and
identify the range of a logarithmic function under a
a) the domain vertical reflection. Support your explanation
with diagrams.
b) the range
c) an equation for the asymptote 11. Refer to question 10. Reasoning and Proving

Does the same thing Representing Selecting Tools

9. a) Sketch by hand, or use technology to happen under a Problem Solving
graph, y  2 log x over the domain horizontal reflection? Connecting Reflecting
103  x  101. Explain using words Communicating

b) What is the range of this function over and diagrams.

the restricted domain?

6.3 Transformations of Logarithmic Functions • MHR 339

12. Describe what happens to the domain and ✓ Achievement Check
range of a logarithmic function under both
a horizontal and a vertical translation. 16. a) Graph the function

( )
Support your explanation with diagrams. 1 log  _
1 x  3  2.
f(x)   _
13. Sketch a graph of each function. 2 2

a) f(x)  2 log [3(x  4)]  2 b) Identify the key features of f.

b) y  log (x) i) domain

c) f(x)  5 log (2x  4)  6 ii) range

( )
1x  3  3 iii) equation of the asymptote
d) y  2 log _
2 c) Sketch a graph of the inverse function.
14. Use Technology Check your answers to
question 13 using graphing technology.
CONNECTIONS
15. An operational amplifier (Op Amp) is a type
of electronic circuit that transforms a voltage An Op Amp is an example of an integrated circuit, such as the one pictured below.
input, Vi , to produce a desired output, Vo.
Suppose a particular Op Amp produces a
voltage output signal according to the function
Vo  log Vi  5, where both input and output
voltages are measured in volts (V).
a) Graph this function.
b) What is the output voltage for an input
signal of 10 V? 20 V?
Contained inside these little black chips are many tiny circuits, each
c) What is the input voltage if the output is 25 V? designed to perform a specific function. Devices such as these are building
d) Determine the domain and range. Explain blocks for many household electronic devices, such as personal computers,
what these represent. video cameras, and stereo equipment.
You will learn more about Op Amps and other integrated circuits if you
decide to study solid-state electronics or digital logic at university or college.

C Extend and Challenge

1 log x  4.
17. a) Graph the function f(x)  _ 19. Use Technology Suppose that an electronic
2
b) Graph the line y  x on the same grid. signal generator produces a voltage output
as a function of time that is given by
c) Graph the inverse function f1 by reflecting
Vo  0.4 log (sin t)  5.
f in the line y  x.
a) What are the domain and range of this
d) Determine the key features of f 1.
function? Explain your reasoning.
i) domain
b) Graph this function using graphing technology.
ii) range
c) This Op Amp is called a pulsator. Why does
iii) equation of the asymptote this name make sense?
e) Determine an equation for f 1.
20. Math Contest For what value(s) of x does
18. Graph each function. log2 (log3 (log4 x))  0?
a) y  log2 (x  2)  1
b) y  3 log2 (2x  5)  4

340 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6