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Chapter 3 Exponential and logarithmic functions This chapter investigates the function bx which appears in the equation for exponential growth, and its inverse logb x. When you have completed it, you should ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
understand the idea of continuous exponential growth and decay know the principal features of exponential functions and their graphs know the definition and properties of logarithmic functions be able to switch between the exponential and logarithmic forms of an equation understand the idea and possible uses of a logarithmic scale be familiar with logarithms to the special bases e and 10 be able to solve equations and inequalities with the unknown in the index be able to use logarithms to identify models of the forms y = abx and y = axn.