comparing graphs of a^x and log aX: symmetry, etc.

[as0hi]

compare f(x) = a^x and f(x) = log aX in terms of intercepts, symmetry to each other, and the concept of inverse.

i am not able to graph this on my graphing calculator. how can i answer the question. help. thank you.

 

[skeeter]

you can graph an example using a = 2 on your calculator ...

how about \(\displaystyle \L y = 2^x\) and

\(\displaystyle \L y = \log_2{x} = \frac{\ln{x}}{\ln{2}}\)

 

[stapel]

i am not able to graph this on my graphing calculator.

I will guess that you mean that you "can not graph log_a(x) on" your calculator. Actually, if you apply the change-of-base formula you've memorized, you can (by picking a value for "a", and doing enough cases to get the idea).

But that shouldn't matter, since "a" isn't specified. They're looking for general patterns. So use what you've learned about these two types of functions, and do the graph by hand. (Calculators can't think, so you'll have to do the work on this exercise.)

how can i answer the question.

Draw the two graphs, and then discuss the similarities, differences, and connections between the two.

Eliz.