Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

Lesson 7 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (1)

We will study two important functions that have many applications in different fields such as
Engineering and Business. Exponential and logarithmic functions are related as each in their
basic form with the same base is the inverse of the other, much like 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = √𝑥.

In this lesson, we will focus on the properties and the graphs of exponential functions. Once we
have familiarized ourselves with exponential functions, the properties of logarithmic functions
covered in the next lesson can be better understood.

When the growth of a population is proportional to the size of the population as it grows, we
describe the growth as exponential. Bacteria growth and compound interests are two examples
of exponential growth. Exponential decay occurs in nuclear reactions and in the depreciation
in value of vehicles or equipment.

Both exponential growth and decay can be modelled using an exponential function with some
base 𝑐. The most basic form of an exponential function is simply 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 , 𝑐 > 0, 𝑐 ≠ 1. Notice
that the input variable 𝑥 is in the exponent and the base 𝑐 is fixed, which is different from a
polynomial function where the input variable 𝑥 is in the base and the exponents are fixed.

𝒙 𝒚 = (−𝟐)𝒙 First, let’s see why we require 𝑐 > 0 and 𝑐 ≠ 1. When we

have a negative number as the base, for example, 𝑐 = −2,
0 (−2)0 = 1 what would happen to the output variable 𝑦 for different
input 𝑥 values?
1 3 3
√−2 = − √2
3 With the a few examples of real input values of 𝑥 ∈ [0, 2],
1 we can see that the output values of 𝑦 are a bit chaotic. It
√−2 = √2𝑖
2 goes from positive to negative and even outputs non-real
1 (−2)1 = −2 values. For this reason, we restrict the base of exponential
function to only positive values. When 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑐 = 1,
2 (−2)2 = 4 the function becomes 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 = 1 respectively. These
are the trivial cases.

Therefore, the base of an exponential function, 𝑐, should be a positive real value that is not
one. When 𝑐 > 1, the function 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 indicates exponential growth. Take 𝑦 = 2𝑥 for example
and if we only consider consecutive natural number inputs of 𝑥, the function essentially gives a
sequence of outputs that is forever doubling: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 … It doesn’t take long until the
output value becomes a very large number. On the other hand, if 0 < 𝑐 < 1, the function
1 𝑥
indicates exponential decay. Take 𝑦 = (2) as an example and consider for the time being only
consecutive natural number inputs of 𝑥, the output values form a sequence that gets very small
1 1 1 1 1
very quickly: 2 , 4 , 8 , 16 , 32 …

1
Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

Of course, input variable 𝑥 of the function can take on any real values. Now, let’s look the
graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 with a few different bases for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

1 𝑥 3 𝑥
2 𝑥 1
𝑦=( ) 𝑦=3 𝑥 𝑦=2 𝑥 𝑦=( )
𝑦=( ) 𝑦 = ( )𝑥 3 2
3 2

As we can see from the plots, exponential functions are divided into two groups according to
the value of the base.
1) 𝑐 > 1 Exponential Growth: 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 is increasing as 𝑥 increases.

As 𝑥 → ∞, 𝑦 → ∞, and as 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑦 → 0+ .

2) 0 < 𝑐 < 1 Exponential Decay: 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 is decreasing as 𝑥 increases.

As 𝑥 → ∞, 𝑦 → 0+ , and as 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑦 → ∞.

Both exponential growth/decay functions of the form 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 have a horizontal asymptote at

the 𝑥 − axis : 𝑦 = 0. The function is defined for all 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞) and the range is 𝑦 ∈ (0, ∞).
They all have 𝑦 − intercept at (0, 1), since regardless of the base 𝑐, 𝑐 0 = 1. In the case of
exponetial growth, we notice that the function grows faster when 𝑐 has a greater value. This

2
Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

makes intuitive sense as multiplying by 3 defnitely blows up the output quicker than mutliplying
by 2. On the other hand, the function decays faster when 𝑐 has a smaller value.

This summarizes the key characteristics of exponential functions in the form of 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 . The
graphs of other exponential funcitons will share the same shape except they may look
reflected, stretched/compressed or shifted.

In general, an exponential function will have a function in the form of 𝑦 = 𝑎[𝑐 𝑏(𝑥−ℎ) ] + 𝑘,
where 𝑎, 𝑏, ℎ and 𝑘 are the four parameters of transformations. By the rules of
transformations, each point (𝑥, 𝑦) on the base function 𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑥 will get mapped to
𝑥
(𝑏 + ℎ, 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑘) on the funciton 𝑦 = 𝑎[𝑐 𝑏(𝑥−ℎ) ] + 𝑘. Let’s see how that may affect the graph of
the base function.

1
1 (𝑥−3)
Example 1 : Given 𝑓(𝑥) = − 5 [42 ] + 2,
a) Determine its horizontal asymptote, domain and range and 𝑦 − intercept.
b) Is the function increasing or decreasing? Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥).

Solution :
a) Looking at the equation of 𝑓(𝑥), there is no restricitons on the input 𝑥, so the domain
1
should be 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞). As for the range, we first note that 42(𝑥−3) > 0 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
That is because we know from the base function, 4𝑥 > 0 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ . The
1
transformation parameters 𝑏 = 2 and ℎ = 3 only affect 𝑥, but not the range of values
of 𝑦. In this case, it stretches the graph horizontally by a factor of 2 then shifts it
towards the right by 3 units. After the horizontal transformations, 𝑦 > 0 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
1 1 1
1 (𝑥−3) 1 (𝑥−3)
Since 42(𝑥−3) > 0, − 5 [42 ] < 0, so − 5 [42 ] + 2 < 2 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ. So the
range should be 𝑦 ∈ (−∞, 2).

We will examine the end behaviour of 𝑓(𝑥) to see the location of its horizontal
1 1
(𝑥−3) 1 (𝑥−3)
asymptote. As 𝑥 → ∞, 42 = 4∞ → ∞, − 5 [42 ] → −∞ and so 𝑓(𝑥) → −∞.
1
(𝑥−3) 1 ∞ 1 1
(𝑥−3)
And as 𝑥 → −∞, 42 = 4−∞ = (4) → 0+ , − 5 [42 ] → 0− and so
𝑓(𝑥) → 2− . The graph of the function should approach the horizontal asymptote
𝑦 = 2 from below on the left end.

1
1 (0−3) 39
Finally, to find the 𝑦 − intercept, we evaluate 𝑓(0) = − 5 [42 ] + 2 = 1 40 =
1.975. The 𝑦 − intercept is at (0, 1.975).

3
Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

b) The function should be decreasing from left to right. As mentioned in part a), on the
left end, the graph is close to 𝑦 = 2 from below, where as on the right end, 𝑦 → −∞.
So this must be a decreasing function.
Alternatively, as the base function 𝑦 = 4𝑥 is
increasing and there is a reflection in the 𝑥 −
1
axis (𝑎 = − 5 is negative), the function becomes
decreasing. All the other transformations do
not affect the direction of the graph.

Now putting everything together, first plot the

horizontal aymptote at 𝑦 = 2 and the 𝑦 −
intercept at (0, 1.975), then draw the
decreasing exponential function as shown on
the right.

In general, the domain of any exponential function is 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞) as there is no restricted

value of input 𝑥 into the function. The horizontal asymptote of an exponential function in the
form of 𝑦 = 𝑎[𝑐 𝑏(𝑥−ℎ) ] + 𝑘 is at 𝑦 = 𝑘. In other words, only vertical translation affects the
location of the horizontal asymptote.
Example 2: For each function below, determine its horizontal asymptote, domain and range
and whether the function is increasing or decreasing.
1 −𝑥+2
a) 𝑦 = −4[(3) ]+1
−3𝑥+6 )
b) 𝑦 = 7(2 −5

Solution :
a) The horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 1, since the function is shifted upwards by 1 unit.
1 −𝑥+2
The domain should be 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞). For the range, we have (3) > 0, it follows
1 −𝑥+2 1 −𝑥+2
−4 [(3) ] < 0, so 𝑦 = −4 [(3) ] + 1 < 1. The range is 𝑦 ∈ (−∞, 1). Rewriting
the original function, we have
𝑥−2
1 −1
𝑦 = −4 (( ) ) +1
3

𝑦 = −4(3)𝑥−2 + 1.
Since 𝑦 = 3𝑥−2 is increasing, and there is a reflection in 𝑥 − axis as 𝑎 = −4 is negative.
The function should become decreasing.

4
Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

b) The horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = −5, since the function is shifted downwards by 5

units. The domain should be 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞). For the range, we have 2−3𝑥+6 > 0 , it
follows 7(2−3𝑥+6 ) > 0, so 𝑦 = 7(2−3𝑥+6 ) − 5 > −1 . The range is 𝑦 ∈ (−5, ∞) .
Rewriting the original function, we have
𝑦 = 7((2)−1 )3𝑥−6 − 5
1 3𝑥−6
𝑦 = 7 (2) − 5.

1 3𝑥−6
Since 𝑦 = ( ) is decreasing, and there is no reflection from there, so the function
2
should be decreasing.

From the graphs of the exponential functions, we see that it is an one-to-one function. That is,
no two elements in the domain correspond to the same element in the range. In other words,
there is no 𝑦 − value in the range that results from more than one 𝑥 in the domain. In contrast,
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 is not a one-to-one function, as both 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = −2 gives 𝑦 = 4. An exponenital
function such as 𝑦 = 2𝑥 will always give a different 𝑦 −value with a different value in the
exponent 𝑥.

Now that we have seen the graphs of exponential functions, we will now look at the strategies
used to solve exponential equations. One strategy is to see if we can rewrite the equation so
that all exponents are expresssed with the same base. Let’s jump straight into some examples.
Example 3: Solve each exponential equation for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
a) 162𝑥−3 = 32𝑥+3
2𝑥
b) 9𝑥−1 = (√27)
1
c) 45−9𝑥 = 8𝑥−2

Solution :
a) We can express both with the common base 2 to get :
(24 )2𝑥−3 = (25 )𝑥+3
28𝑥−12 = 25𝑥+15
As both sides have the same base and evaluate to the same output, the exponents must
be the same, so :
8𝑥 − 12 = 5𝑥 + 15
3𝑥 = 27
𝑥=9

5
Advanced Functions Class 7 Notes

b) We can express both with the common base 3 to get :

1
((3)2 )𝑥−1 = (((33 ))2 )2𝑥
32𝑥−2 = 33𝑥
So, equating the exponents, we have :
2𝑥 − 2 = 3𝑥
𝑥 = −2

c) We can express both with the common base 2 to get :

(22 )5−9𝑥 = ((23 )𝑥−2 )−1
210−18𝑥 = 2−3𝑥+6
So, equating the exponents, we have :
10 − 18𝑥 = −3𝑥 + 6
−15𝑥 = −4
4
𝑥=
15

Sometimes, certain exponential equations can be solved by factoring if we notice a quadratic

trinomial pattern. We will see an example of this next.
Example 4: Solve the exponential equation 22𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 6 = 0 for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
Solution :
Notice that the equation can be rewritten as :
(2𝑥 )2 + 2𝑥 − 6 = 0.

Letting 𝐴 = 2𝑥 , we see that the equation is in the form of a quadratic trinomial :

𝐴2 + 𝐴 − 6 = 0
By factoring, we have (𝐴 + 3)(𝐴 − 2) = 0 which means 𝐴 = −3 or 𝐴 = 2.
Therefore, 2𝑥 = −3 or 2𝑥 = 2. As 2𝑥 > 0 for all 𝑥, the only solution is 𝑥 = 1.