Chapter 5: Problem 25
Graph each function and specify the domain, range, intercept(s), and asymptote. (a) \(y=\log _{2} x\) (b) \(y=-\log _{2} x\) (c) \(y=\log _{2}(-x)\) (d) \(y=-\log _{2}(-x)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Functions have domains as follows: (a) \( x > 0 \), (b) \( x > 0 \), (c) \( x < 0 \), (d) \( x < 0 \); all have a range of all real numbers.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the basic properties of the logarithmic function
For each logarithmic function, the basic form is given by \( y = \log_b(x) \). The domain is \( x > 0 \) because logarithms are only defined for positive values of \( x \). The range is all real numbers, \( \mathbb{R} \). The vertical asymptote is at \( x = 0 \). There is no horizontal asymptote, and the y-intercept occurs at \( (1, 0) \) if the base \( b \) is greater than 1.
02
Analyze the function \( y = \log_{2} x \)
**Domain**: \( x > 0 \), since the logarithm is undefined for non-positive \( x \). **Range**: All real numbers, \( \mathbb{R} \). **Vertical Asymptote**: \( x = 0 \). **Intercept**: Intersection with the y-axis at \( (1, 0) \). Graph: An increasing curve going from the third quadrant to the first, passing through \( (1,0) \). There is no horizontal intercept.
03
Analyze the function \( y = -\log_{2} x \)
**Domain**: \( x > 0 \). **Range**: All real numbers, \( \mathbb{R} \). **Vertical Asymptote**: \( x = 0 \). **Intercept**: Intersection with the y-axis at \( (1, 0) \). Graph: A decreasing curve, mirrored downward relative to \( y = \log_{2} x \), crossing \( (1, 0) \) and extending toward negative infinity as \( x \to \infty \).
04
Analyze the function \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \)
**Domain**: \( x < 0 \), as we must have \( -x > 0 \). **Range**: All real numbers, \( \mathbb{R} \). **Vertical Asymptote**: \( x = 0 \). **Intercept**: There is no intercept with the y-axis since no positive x satisfies the function. Graph: A reflection of \( y = \log_{2} x \) over the y-axis, decreasing from the second to the third quadrant.
05
Analyze the function \( y = -\log_{2}(-x) \)
**Domain**: \( x < 0 \). **Range**: All real numbers, \( \mathbb{R} \). **Vertical Asymptote**: \( x = 0 \). **Intercept**: No intercept with the y-axis, similar to \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \). Graph: A reflection of \( y = -\log_{2} x \) over the y-axis, increasing from the second to the fourth quadrant.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Domain
The domain of a function is a fundamental concept that defines all the possible input values, or x-values, for which the function is defined. For logarithmic functions, this domain is particularly crucial because logarithms are only defined for positive inputs when considering their basic form.
- In the function \( y = \log_{2} x \), the domain is all positive real numbers: \( x > 0 \). This is because the logarithmic function becomes undefined at and below zero.
- For \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \), the domain shifts to negative real numbers: \( x < 0 \). Here, \(-x\) needs to be positive for the logarithm to work, thus reversing the sign of the input condition.
Function Range
The range of a function includes all the possible output values that a function can produce. In the case of logarithmic functions, despite restrictions on the input domain, the range remains unrestricted.
- For each function analyzed, \( y = \log_{2} x \), \( y = -\log_{2} x \), \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \), and \( y = -\log_{2}(-x) \), the range is all real numbers: \( \mathbb{R} \).
Graphing Functions
Graphing logarithmic functions offers a visual representation of the relationship between x and y, helping to comprehend the function’s behavior clearly. For the basic \( y = \log_{2} x \), the graph is a smooth curve that increases steadily, starting from negative infinity to positive infinity.Within the graph:
- \( y = \log_{2} x \) starts from negative infinity and gradually increases through the point \((1, 0)\) since \( \log_{2} 1 = 0 \), and rises continually as \( x \) increases.
- \( y = -\log_{2} x \) is a reflection over the x-axis, moving downward yet passing through \((1, 0)\) as well.
- For graphs like \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \) and \( y = -\log_{2}(-x) \), the curves assume their mirror image, displaying reflections over the y-axis, indicating that they have negative x-values in their domain.
Asymptotes
Asymptotes play a vital role in understanding the behavior of logarithmic functions at boundaries. They indicate the line that the graph approaches but typically never touches. For logarithmic functions:
- An important vertical asymptote occurs at \( x = 0 \). This is because, as x approaches zero from the right for functions like \( y = \log_{2} x \), the value of y heads toward negative infinity, creating a boundary it approaches but cannot cross.
- Similarly, functions with a negative inside, such as \( y = \log_{2}(-x) \), maintain their vertical asymptote at \( x = 0 \), because they graph on the negative x-axis, advancing toward the asymptotes in a mirrored manner compared to their positive x counterparts.