About the Lesson
In this activity, students discover the change of base rule for logarithms by examining the ratio of two logarithmic functions with different bases. It begins with a review of the definition of a logarithmic function, as students are challenged to guess the base of two basic logarithmic functions from their graphs. The goal of applying the properties of logarithms to add these two functions is introduced as a motivator for writing them in the same base. Students explore the hypothesis that the two functions are related by a constant first by viewing a table of values, then by exploring different values for the two bases. Finally, they prove the change of base rule algebraically and apply it to find the sum of the two original functions.
*Note: This activity contains an optional AP Practice Questions document for those students preparing for the AP Precalculus Exam.