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Exponential Functions

This document discusses exponential functions. It begins by explaining that exponential functions have the independent variable in the exponent, unlike other functions previously studied. It then provides examples of graphs of exponential functions like 2x, 3x, and 4x. It discusses key characteristics of exponential function graphs such as their domains, ranges, intercepts, and asymptotes. The document then introduces the special base "e", also called the natural base, which is useful for modeling natural phenomena. It provides an example of evaluating e1 on a calculator. Finally, it demonstrates using properties of exponents to solve exponential equations.

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Dennis Arieh Barcelon Romano
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
901 views

Exponential Functions

This document discusses exponential functions. It begins by explaining that exponential functions have the independent variable in the exponent, unlike other functions previously studied. It then provides examples of graphs of exponential functions like 2x, 3x, and 4x. It discusses key characteristics of exponential function graphs such as their domains, ranges, intercepts, and asymptotes. The document then introduces the special base "e", also called the natural base, which is useful for modeling natural phenomena. It provides an example of evaluating e1 on a calculator. Finally, it demonstrates using properties of exponents to solve exponential equations.

Uploaded by

Dennis Arieh Barcelon Romano
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lets examine exponential functions.

They are different than any of the other types of functions weve studied because the independent variable is in the exponent. Lets look at the graph of this function by plotting x some points. 8
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7

x 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3

2x 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8

f ( x) = 2

BASE Recall what a negative exponent means:

1 f ( 1) = 2 = 2
1

Compare the graphs 2x, 3x , and 4x Characteristics about the Graph of an Exponential x Function f ( x ) = a where a > 1 1. Domain is all real numbers 2. Range is positive real numbers 3. There are no x intercepts because there is no x value that you can put in the function to make it = 0 4. The y intercept is always (0,1) because a 0 = 1 5. The graph is always increasing 6. The x-axis (where y = 0) is a horizontal asymptote for x -

f ( x) = 4x

f ( x ) = 3x f ( x) = 2x

Can What What you is isthe the see range x What Are these is the ythe of intercept horizontal domain an exponential of of these intercept exponential ofan these function? exponential asymptote exponential for exponential functions functions? these function? functions? functions? increasing or decreasing?

y=2

All of the transformations that you learned apply to all functions, so what x would the graph of y = 2 + 3 look like? up 3

right 2 down 1 up 1 Reflected over x axis


x

y = 1 2

y=2

x2

Reflected about y-axis

y=2

This equation could be rewritten in a different form: x

y=2

1 1 = x = 2 2

So if the base of our exponential function is between 0 and 1 (which will be a fraction), the graph will be decreasing. It will have the same domain, range, intercepts, and asymptote. There are many occurrences in nature that can be modeled with an exponential function. To model these we need to learn about a special base.

The Base e (also called the natural base)


To model things in nature, well need a base that turns out to be between 2 and 3. Your calculator knows this base. Ask your calculator to find e1. You do this by using the ex button (generally youll need to hit the 2nd or yellow button first to get it depending on the calculator). After hitting the ex, you then enter the exponent you want (in this case 1) and push = or enter. If you have a scientific calculator that doesnt graph you may have to enter the 1 before hitting the ex. Example You should get 2.718281828 for TI-83

f ( x) = ex f ( x ) = 3x

f ( x) = 2x

If au = av, then u = v
This says that if we have exponential functions in equations and we can write both sides of the equation using the same base, we know the exponents are equal. The left hand side is 2 to the something. Can we re-write the right hand side as 2 to the something? Now we use the property above. The bases are both 2 so the exponents must be equal. We did not cancel the 2s, We just used the property and equated the exponents.

2 2

3 x4

=8 =2
3

3 x4

3x 4 = 3

You could solve this for x now.

1 Lets try one more: 4 = 8 We could however re-write


x

both the left and right hand sides as 2 to the something.

(2 )
2x

2 x

=2
3

The left hand side is 4 to the something but the right hand side cant be written as 4 to the something (using integer exponents)

=2

So now that each side is written with the same base we know the exponents must be equal. Check:

2 x = 3
3 x= 2

3 2

1 4
3 2

1 = 8

1 = 8 1 1 = 3 ( 4) 8

Acknowledgement I wish to thank Shawna Haider from Salt Lake Community College, Utah USA for her hard work in creating this PowerPoint. www.slcc.edu Shawna has kindly given permission for this resource to be downloaded from www.mathxtc.com and for it to be modified to suit the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Stephen Corcoran Head of Mathematics St Stephens School Carramar www.ststephens.wa.edu.au

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