Inverses of Exponential Functions

Recall: Five Variations of Exponential Functions

Basic Function
x
y=n

Magnified Function
x
y=a n

Horizontal Translation
( xh )
y=a n

Vertical Translation ( yk)=a n x

Combined Function y=a n( xh )+ k

How do we find Inverses for Exponential Functions ?

In previous cases, we found inverse functions by:
1) Exchanging the x and y variables, wherever they occur in the equation.
2) Solving the resulting relation for y.

Will this approach work for exponential functions ?

y=n x x=n y y=log n x

Log is short for Logarithm, which is the exponent to which the base number
is raised in order to calculate the value the expression. Since we need to
solve for the exponent, we need to use logarithms to find such inverses.

The easiest way to understand logarithms is to recall this basic relationship:

2
10 =100 2=log 10 100

From this relationship, we can see that The Log Is The Exponent.
Example Problem: Basic Inverse Function
Find the inverse of y=n x

Step 1: Find the abstract solution.

y=n x x=n y y=log n x

Step 2: Find a solution using numbers.

Lets choose an easy and familiar value, n=2.
x y
y=2 x=2 y=log 2 x

Step 3: Graph & Show Symmetry Step 4: Reflect on the results.

Both the original relation and its

inverse are functions, because they
both pass the vertical line test.

The graphs are reflected across the

y=x line, so they are inverses.

What about the other variations of

the exponential function equation ?

How will we find inverses for:

y=a nx
(xh)
y=n

( xh )
y=n x +k y=a n +k

Experiment 1: Inverse of Magnified Function

Find the inverse of y=a n
x
 Step 1: Find the abstract solution.
y=anx x=an y y =logan x

Step 2: Find a solution using numbers.

Lets choose easy and familiar values, n=2 and a=3.
y=3(2)x x=3 (2) y =x /3=2 y y=log2 ( x /3)

Step 3: Graph & Show Step 4: Reflect on the

Symmetry results.

The red line coming from the

1st quadrant comes very close
to zero on the y axis but never
touches it. While the green line
does the same action but in the
4th quadrant. (orange line is
there to show the mirror
image)

Experiment 2: Inverse of Horizontally Translated Function

Find the inverse of y=n
(xh)

Step 1: Find the abstract solution.

x=n( yh) ( yk)=logn ( x)

Step 2: Find a solution using numbers.

Lets choose easy and familiar values, n=2 and h=5.
y=2(x5) x=2( y5) ( y5)=lo g 2(x )
 Step 3: Graph & Show Step 4: Reflect on the
Symmetry results.

The exponents are longer on

the left side now, but the
graph is still a perfect inverse.
I wasnt sure if I had to
simplify (x-5) or not, but it
looks like thats not necessary.

Experiment 3: Inverse of Vertically Translated Function

Find the inverse of ( yk)=n y =n + k
x x

Step 1: Find the abstract solution.

y y
x=n + k ( x k )=n y=logn (xk)

Step 2: Find a solution using numbers.

Lets choose easy and familiar values, n=2 and k=4.
y y
x=2 +4 (x4)=2 ( y4 )=log 2 ( x)
y=log 2 (x )+ 4

Step 3: Graph & Show Step 4: Reflect on the

Symmetry results.
I had a few problems working, i
had trouble with the order of
operations and understanding
logs. In the end me and my
team mates figured out what
 was wrong and got it done.

Experiment 4: Inverse of Combined Function

Find the inverse of ( yk)=a n y=a n + k
(xh) ( xh )

Step 1: Find the abstract solution.

( yk) ( yk )
x=a n +h ( xh)=a n
(xh) ( yk) xh
=n ( yk )=lo gn ( )
a a
x h
y=lo g n ( )+k
a

Step 2: Find a solution using numbers.

Lets our previous values, n=2, a=3, h=5, k=4.
( y4)
2
( y4 )
2 +5( x5)=3
x=3
( x5) ( y4 ) x5
=2 ( y4 )=lo g2 ( )
3 2
x5
y=lo g 2 ( )+4
3

Step 3: Graph & Show Step 4: Reflect on the

Symmetry results.
It was difficult to keep
everything organized, and I had
a few sign errors along the way,
but in the end it all worked out.
I found it hard to keep track
of when I flip x and y, but I
figured it out.