6.

3 Exponential Functions
In this section, we will study the following topics:

Evaluating exponential functions with base a

Graphing exponential functions with base a

Evaluating exponential functions with base e

Graphing exponential functions with base e

Transcendental Functions
In this chapter, we continue our study of functions with
two very important ones
exponential and logarithmic functions.

These two functions are types of nonalgebraic

functions, known as transcendental functions.

So, in an exponential function, the variable is in the exponent.

Exponential Functions
Which of the following are exponential functions?

f (x) x3

f (x) 3

f ( x ) 5
f ( x ) 1x
4

Graphs of Exponential Functions

Just as the graphs of all quadratic functions have the same

basic shape, the graphs of exponential functions have

the same basic characteristics.

They can be broken into two categories

exponential growth

exponential decay (decline)

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The Graph of an Exponential Growth Function

We will look at the graph of an exponential function that increases as
x increases, known as the exponential growth function.
It has the form f ( x ) a x where a > 1.

Example: f(x) = 2x
x
-5
-4

f(x)

f(x)=2x
The graph increases

Notice the rapid increase in the

graph as x increases

slowly for x < 0.

-3
-2

y-intercept is (0, 1)

-1
0
1
2
3

Horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
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The Graph of an Exponential Decay (Decline) Function

We will look at the graph of an exponential function that decreases

as x increases, known as the exponential decay function.
It has the form f ( x ) a x where a > 1.
Example: g(x) = 2-x
x
-3

g(x)=2-x

f(x)
Notice the rapid decline in the
graph for x < 0.
The graph decreases more
slowly as x increases.

-2
-1
y-intercept is (0, 1)

0
1
2
3
4
5

Horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
8

Graphs of Exponential Functions

Notice that f(x) = 2x and g(x) = 2-x are reflections of one another
about the y-axis.

Both graphs have: y-intercept (___,___) and

horizontal asymptote y =

The domain of f(x) and g(x) is _________; the range is _______.

Graphs of Exponential Functions

x

Also, note that g ( x ) 2

1
, using the properties of exponents.
2

So an exponential function is a DECAY function if

The

base a is greater than one and the function is

written as f(x) = a-x

-ORThe

base a is between 0 and 1 and the function is

written as f(x) = ax

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Graphs of Exponential Functions

Examples:

f ( x) 0.25 x

In this case, a = 0.25 (0 < a < 1).

f ( x) 5.6 x

In this case, a = 5.6 (a > 1).

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Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Look at the following shifts and reflections of the graph of f(x) = 2x.

f ( x) 2 x
g ( x) 2 3
x

f ( x) 2 x

g ( x) 2 x 2
The new horizontal
asymptote is y = 3

12

Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

f ( x) 2 x
g ( x) 2 x

f ( x) 2 x

g ( x) 2 x

13

Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Describe the transformation(s) that the graph of f ( x) 2
must undergo in order to obtain the graph of each of the
following functions.
x

State the domain, range and the horizontal asymptote for each.
1.

f ( x) 2 x 5

14

Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Describe the transformation(s) that the graph of f ( x) 2
must undergo in order to obtain the graph of each of the
following functions.
x

State the domain, range and the horizontal asymptote for each.
2.

f ( x) 2 x 1

15

Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Describe the transformation(s) that the graph of f ( x) 2
must undergo in order to obtain the graph of each of the
following functions.
x

State the domain, range and the horizontal asymptote for each.
3.

f ( x) 2 x 4

16

Transformations of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Describe the transformation(s) that the graph of f ( x) 2
must undergo in order to obtain the graph of each of the
following functions.
x

State the domain, range and the horizontal asymptote for each.
4.

f ( x) 2 x 3

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Graph using transformations and determine the domain,

range and horizontal asymptote.

A)

B)

C)

D)

Natural base e
It may seem hard to believe, but when working with exponents and
logarithms, it is often convenient to use the irrational number e
as a base.

The number e is defined as e lim 1

x
x

This value approaches e 2.718281828 as x approaches infinity.

Check this out using the TABLE on your calculator:

Enter y1 (1 1/ x) ^ x and look at the value of y as x gets
larger and larger.
19

Evaluating the Natural Exponential Function

To evaluate the function f(x) = ex, we will use our calculators to
find an approximation. You should see the ex button on your
graphing calculator (Use ).
Example: Evaluate to three decimal places.
e-0.5 ____________

e _______________

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Graphing the Natural Exponential Function

f (x) ex

Domain:___________________
Range: ___________________
Asymptote: _______________
x-intercept: _______________
y-intercept: _______________

Increasing/decreasing over ___________

List four points that are on the graph of f(x) = ex.

21

Solving Exponential Equations

22

3 x -1

Solve: 2

32

Solve: e

2 x 1

1
3 x e x
e

End of Section 6.3

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