The mathematical definition of a logarithm is the inverse of an exponential function, but why do we need to use logarithms? This segment explains the nature of some data sets, where incremental changes in the domain result in explosive changes in the range. As a result, logarithms allow for the a way to present and analyze what would otherwise be unwieldy data.

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-logarithmic-functions-segment-1-what-are-logarithms

We live in a noisy world. In fact, prolonged exposure to noise can cause hearing loss. Students analyze the noise level at a rock concert and determine the ideal distance where the noise level is out of the harmful range. Using the TI-Nspire’s Geometry tools, student create a mathematical simulation of the decibel level as a function of distance.

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-logarithmic-functions-segment-2-hearing-loss

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-applications-hearing-loss

In 1998 a devastating tsunami was triggered by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of New Guinea. The amount of energy from this earthquake was equivalent to a thermonuclear explosion. Students analyze the energy outputs for different magnitude earthquakes. Using the Graphing tools, students explore the use of a logarithmic scale to better analyze exponential data.

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-logarithmic-functions-segment-3-tsunamis

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-applications-tsunamis

Almost everyone has an intuitive understanding that exponential growth means rapid growth. Written and hosted by internationally acclaimed math educator Dr. Monica Neagoy, this video builds on students’ intuitive notions, explores exponential notation, and analyzes properties of exponential function graphs, with the help of TI-Nspire features such as sliders and graph transformations. Using exponential functions to model finance applications and a Newton’s law of cooling problem further help students build a solid foundation for these fundamental algebraic concepts. Concepts explored: functions, exponents, exponential functions.

This video includes a Video Transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-nspirations-exponential-functions

In this Investigation we explore the properties of exponents and exponential graphs.

This video is Segment 1 of a 4 segment series related to Exponents and Exponential Functions. Segments 1 and 2 are grouped together. To access Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segment 2, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-segment-2

A Video Transcript for Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segments 1 and 2 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-part-1

In this Math Lab students compare the graphs of quadratics and exponential graph of base 2.

This video is Segment 1 of a 4 segment series related to Exponents and Exponential Functions. Segments 1 and 2 are grouped together. To access Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segment 1, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-segment-1

A Video Transcript for Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segments 1 and 2 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-part-1

In this Investigation we look at exponential growth and decay models.

This video is Segment 3 of a 4 segment series related to Exponents and Exponential Functions. Segments 3 and 4 are grouped together. To access Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segment 4, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-segment-4

A Video Transcript for Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segments 3 and 4 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-part-2

In this Math Lab we look at cooling curves.

This video is Segment 4 of a 4 segment series related to Exponents and Exponential Functions. Segments 3 and 4 are grouped together. To access Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segment 3, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-segment-3

A Video Transcript for Exponents and Exponential Functions, Segments 3 and 4 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-exponents-and-exponential-functions-part-2

This video begins with the historical invention of logarithms that forever changed the world of computation—until the advent of calculators more than 300 years later. Written and hosted by internationally acclaimed math educator Dr. Monica Neagoy, it proceeds to derive the properties of logs, examine logarithmic functions and graphs, and finally explore the well-known Richter logarithmic scale. Concepts explored: functions and inverse functions, logarithms, exponential functions, logarithmic functions.

This video includes a Video Transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-nspirations-logarithmic-functions

In this Investigation we look at properties of logarithms.

This video is Segment 1 of a 4 segment series related to Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions. Segments 1 and 2 are grouped together. To access Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segment 2, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-segment-2

A Video Transcript for Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segments 1 and 2 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-part-1

In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore earthquakes using exponential models. In particular, students analyze the earthquake that struck the Sichuan Province in China in 2008, months before the Beijing Olympics. This dramatic, real-world example allows students to apply their understanding of exponential functions and their inverses, along with data analysis and periodic function analysis.

This video includes a Video Transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-exponential-functions

In this Math Lab we look at patterns among different logarithm calculations.

This video is Segment 2 of a 4 segment series related to Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions. Segments 1 and 2 are grouped together. To access Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segment 1, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-segment-1

A Video Transcript for Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segments 1 and 2 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-part-1

In this introductory segment students learn about the great earthquake of 2008 that hit the Sichuan province of China. In the process they learn about how exponential functions provide a good model for describing earthquake intensity.

To see the video transcript for this video, click here: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-exponential-functions-segment-1-introduction

In this Investigation we look at logarithmic functions and graphs.

This video is Segment 3 of a 4 segment series related to Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions. Segments 3 and 4 are grouped together. To access Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segment 4, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-segment-4

A Video Transcript for Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segments 3 and 4 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-part-2

The basic definition of an exponential function is shown in the intensity function for an earthquake. Students analyze data and perform an exponential regression based on data from the Sichuan earthquake.

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-exponential-functions-segment-2-what-earthquake

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-applications-earthquakes-1

In this Math Lab we look at an application of logarithms involving astronomy.

This video is Segment 4 of a 4 segment series related to Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions. Segments 3 and 4 are grouped together. To access Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segment 3, click the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-segment-3

A Video Transcript for Algebra Nspirations: Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions, Segments 3 and 4 is available via the following link:

• https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-nspirations-logarithms-and-logarithmic-functions-part-2

An exponential model describes the intensity of an earthquake, while a logarithmic model describes the magnitude of an earthquake. In the process students learn about the inverse of an exponential function. 

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-exponential-functions-segment-3-what-difference

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-applications-earthquakes-2

An earthquake is an example of a seismic wave. A wave can be modeled with a trigonometric function. Using the TI-Nspire, students link the amplitude to an exponential function to analyze the dramatic increase in intensity resulting from minor changes to magnitude.

This video includes a video transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-exponential-functions-segment-4-how-earthquake

A Promethean Flipchart is available for this video: https://www.media4math.com/library/promethean-flipchart-algebra-applications-earthquakes-3

In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore various scenarios that can be explained through the use of logarithmic functions. Such disparate phenomena as hearing loss and tsunamis can be explained through logarithmic models.

This video includes a Video Transcript: https://www.media4math.com/library/video-transcript-algebra-applications-logarithmic-functions

11/6/11. In this issue we look at the listeria bacteria to see what makes this particular type of bacteria so dangerous. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.

April 2012. In this issue of Math in the News we look at the recent earthquake near Indonesia and compare it to the devastating earthquake of 2004. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.

March 2011. A comparison of the Japanese earthquake near Fukushima to the one in the Sichuan Province of China in 2008. We also look at the resulting tsunami that hit the Japanese coast. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.

March 2011. In this issue we look at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, and the amount of heat generated from the radiation leak. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.

March 2011. In this issue we look at the continuing housing crisis that began in 2008. We use a spreadsheet to calculate mortgage payments. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.

August 2013. In this issue we analyze why the movie the Lone Ranger is considered a box office flop, even though it has earned nearly $100 million. We analyze box office data. Note: The download is a PPT file.

To see all the issues of Math in the News, click on this link.