General Mathematics
5 Exponential
Functions
ACTS Computer College | Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Exponential
Function
Exponential Function
An exponential function is a function that can be expressed mathematically
as , where b is any positive real number not equal to 1.Since b 0 and b
1, then the value of is always a positive real number.
Example: Which of the following describes an exponential function?
a. b.
c. d.
The functions defined in (a) and (b) are exponential functions. However, (c) and (d)
are not exponential functions since the base is not a positive real number not.
A.
Population
Example: Let in days. At , there were initially 20 bacteria. Suppose that the bacteria
doubles every 100 hours. Give an exponential model for the bacteria as a function
of t. Initially,
at Number of bacteria
at Number of bacteria
at Number of bacteria
at Number of bacteria
at Number of bacteria
Solution: An exponential model for this situation is .
B.
Exponential Decay
Example : Suppose that the half-life of a certain radioactive
substance is 10 days and there are 10g initially, determine the
amount of substance remaining after 30 days.
Solution: in days. We use the fact that the mass is halved every 10
days (from the definition of half-life). this, we have: Initially,
at Amount of bacteria
at days Amount of bacteria
at days Amount of bacteria
at days Amount of bacteria
An exponential model for this situation is
C.
Compound Interest
Example 1: Mrs. Dela Cruz invested ₱100,000 in a company that offers 6% interest compounded
annually. How much will this investment be worth at the end of each year for the next five years?
Solution: Let t be the time in years. Then we have: Initially,
at Investment 100,000
at Investment 100,000(1 0.06) 106,000
at Investment 106,000(1 0.06) 112,360
at Investment 112,360(1 0.06) 119,101.60
at Investment 119,101.60(1 0.06) 126,247.70
at Investment 126,247.70(1 0.06) 133,822.56
An exponential model for this situation is
Exponential
Equation
Exponential Equation is an equation involving
exponential expressions.
Examples:
Exponential
Inequality
Exponential Inequality is an inequality
involving exponential expressions.
Examples:
Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
exponential equation
06/28/2025 05:05 AM ACTS Computer College | Sta. Cruz, Laguna 10
Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
none of these
06/28/2025 05:05 AM ACTS Computer College | Sta. Cruz, Laguna 11
Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
exponential function
06/28/2025 05:05 AM ACTS Computer College | Sta. Cruz, Laguna 12
Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
None of these
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Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
Exponential inequality
06/28/2025 05:05 AM ACTS Computer College | Sta. Cruz, Laguna 14
Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
None of these
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Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an
exponential equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
Exponential Equation
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Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an exponential
equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
Exponential Function
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Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an exponential
equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
Exponential Equation
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Let’s Review!
• Determine whether the given is an exponential function, an exponential
equation, an exponential inequality of none of these.
Exponential Inequality
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LAWS OF EXPONENTS
Use Laws of Exponent!
1) *
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Solving Exponential Equations and
Inequalities
Solving Exponential
Equations
The property of equality for exponential equations is also
used when solving exponential equations. The property of
equality for exponential equations states that if , where b is
a positive number other than 1, and r and s are real
numbers, then r=s. Study the examples below and consider
how the laws of exponents are applied.
Example 1: Solve .
Solution: To solve the given equation, express both sides of the
equation in exponential form using the same base. Then, solve
for n using the properties stated above. Thus, we have:
Example 2: Solve
Solution: Both 125 and 25 can be written using
the base 5.
Property of
Exponential
Inequalities
If , then the exponential function is increasing for all x. This
means that if and only if .
If , then the exponential function is decreasing for all x. This
means that if and only if .
Note: You should be careful when solving exponential
inequalities such as . The resulting direction of the inequality is
based on whether the base b is greater than 1 or less than 1.
Example 1: Solve the inequality
Solution: Both 9 and 3 can be written using 3
as the base.
Since the base , then the inequality is equivalent to
Thus, the solution set is (4,). (You can verify that and are solutions, but
and are not.
Example 2: Solve the inequality
Solution: Since , then we write both sides of the inequality with
as the base.
Since the base , then the
inequality is equivalent to
Thus, the solution set is (1,) .
Graphs and Properties of Exponential
Functions
Example 1: Sketch the graph of and determine its
properties such as domain, range, asymptote, behavior
of the graph and y-intercept.
Solution: The values of the function for some x-values
are presented in the table below.
-2 -1 0 1 2 3
1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8
The domain is set of real numbers. Note
that the function values are all greater
than 0 for all x-values. Thus, the range is
set of positive numbers. The graph is
concave up and the function is
increasing. Observe further that x
decreases, the graph of the function
approaches the negative x-axis. Thus,
the graph is asymptotic to the x-axis.
Moreover, the graph has no x-intercept.
The graph of intersects the y-axis at
point (0,1). therefore the y-intercept is 1.
An exponential growth is a simple doubling. One
becomes two becomes four.
-Peter Diamandis
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In an age of exponential change, we need the power of diverse
thinking, and we cannot afford to leave any talent untapped.
- Cathy Engelbert
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