Print this chapterPrint this chapter

Mathematics Skills

Maths Topics

Exponentials and logarithms

Print based materials

Print Materials to assist with any pre-requisite mathematics required in USQ courses. These materials are based on USQ's Tertiary Preparation Program. Mathematics modules are presented in increasing level of difficulty and complexity from Level A through to Level D.

Generalising Numbers (part of module)

  • Gradients of line graphs (including finding the gradient of a given line, and drawing a line given the gradient)
  • Linear equations (including special lines, and what if two lines cross)
  • Introduction to curve
  • Parabolic equations (including the axis of symmetry)
  • Exponential equations (including a special number)
  • When two graphs meet    

generaliseing numbers - graphs

Exponential and logarithmic functions

  • Exponential functions (including the function and its graph, case studies, average rate of change and the inverse of the exponential function)
  • Logarithmic functions (including the function and its graph, case studies, average rate of change and properties of logarithms)
  • Putting it all together – solving equations and real world applications    

exponential and logarithmic functions

Relations and functions (part of module)

  • What are functions
  • Function toolbox (including functional notation, zero conditions of a function, average rate of change of a function, continuity and the inverse of a function)
  • Families of functions (including polynomial functions (which include the constant function, the linear function, the quadratic function, and other polynomial functions), exponential and logarithmic functions, rational functions and functions over an integral domain (including arithmetic and geometric sequences)    

functions and relations

Algebra, functions and geometry

  • Inequalities and the real number line (including operations on inequalities, and linear inequalities of two variables)
  • Quadratic Equations and Completing the Square
  • Functions (including polynomials, rational functions, other important non-linear functions, solving simultaneous equations algebraically and graphically inverse Functions and continuity)

algebra and geometry

Videos:

Index Laws (print handout)

This 17 minute video introduces:

  • Power (or Index) laws
  • Power (or index) rules
  • Using power (or index rules to simplify expressions.

Click on this image to play the video for index laws.

An introduction to logarithms (printable handout)

This 12 minute video shows an introduction to logarithms.  It has examples of using different bases and applying the different logarithms laws.

logs

Solving equations using logarithms (printable handout)

This 7 minute video works through some examples of using logarithms to solve equations.

solving eqns using logs

You can also get help Mastering your calculator – free, easy to follow online booklets on a range of scientific calculators.