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Exponentials - Graphing Investigation.

This document provides instructions for investigating transformations of exponential functions by graphing various forms of exponential functions (y=ax+k, y=ab^x, y=nx) and observing the effects of changing coefficients and constants. Key effects noted include changing the y-intercept, steepness of the curve, reflection, and vertical translation. Positive values of coefficients/constants result in growth curves while negative values result in decay curves.

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61 views4 pages

Exponentials - Graphing Investigation.

This document provides instructions for investigating transformations of exponential functions by graphing various forms of exponential functions (y=ax+k, y=ab^x, y=nx) and observing the effects of changing coefficients and constants. Key effects noted include changing the y-intercept, steepness of the curve, reflection, and vertical translation. Positive values of coefficients/constants result in growth curves while negative values result in decay curves.

Uploaded by

m
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Transforming graphs of Exponential Functions

Make a copy of this document and then complete this investigation that looks at transforming
exponential functions. To complete the graphing you will need to open one of these two graphing
packages: Desmos or Geogebra

Vocabulary list

Try to use some of these words in all the descriptions that you give in this investigation:

● Asymptote ● Decay curve ● Decreasing ● Growth curve


● Increasing ● Reflection ● Steeper ● Stretch
● Symmetrical ● Translation ● Vertical ● y intercept

Part 1: Graphs of the form y=2x +k where k is constant.

Use the graphing software, Desmos or GeoGebra, to draw the graphs of y=2x and y=2x −3 on
the same set of axes.

Investigate the effect changing the constant, k, has on the graph. Choose at least 3 more values
for k and draw these three new graphs on the same axes as before. (Make sure you choose a
mixture of positive and negative values for k).

Take a screenshot of all your graphs (there should be at least 5) and insert the image into this
document.
List your results in the table below. The first two have been done for you.

Function Asymptote is at ….. y intercept Shape


y=2x y=0 (0, 1) Growth curve
y=2x −3 y=−3 (0, -2) Same as y=2x
y=2x +2 y=2 (0,3) Same as y=2x
y=2x +4 y=4 (0,5) Same as y=2x
y=2x −5 y = -5 (0,-4) Same as y=2x

Describe, using words from the vocabulary list, the effect k has on the graph of y=2x +k .

With the equation y=2x +k the effect of k using positive values has an increasing effect on the y
intercept and makes the growth curve steeper. The effect of k using negative values causes a decrease
in the y intercept but causes an increase in the stretch of the curve. The curve is translated vertically
with different values of k.

Part 2: Graphs of the form y=a ×2 x where a is a constant.

Use Desmos or GeoGebra to draw the graphs of y=2x and y=3 × 2x on a second set of axes.

Investigate the effect changing the constant a has on the graph. Choose at least 3 more values
for a and draw these three new graphs on your second set of axes. (Make sure you choose a
mixture of positive and negative values for a).

Take a screenshot of all your graphs (there should be at least 5) and insert the image into this
document.
List your results in the table below.

Function Asymptote is at ….. y intercept Shape


y=2x y=0 (0, 1) Growth curve
y=3 × 2x y=0 (0,3) steeper than y=2x
y=4 × 2x y=0 (0,4) steeper than y=2x
y=−2× 2x y=0 (0,-2) steeper than y=2x
y=−4 × 2x y=0 (0,-4) steeper than y=2x

Describe, using words from the vocabulary list, the different effects that a can have on the graph
of y=a ×2 x.

positive a values effects how steep the curves are and negative a values refect the postive
cruves. a determines the y intercept.

Part 3: Graphs of the form y=nx where n is a rational number.

Use Desmos or GeoGebra to draw the graphs of y=2x and y=3 x on a third set of axes.

Investigate the effect changing n has on the graph. Choose at least 3 more values for n and draw
these three new graphs on your third set of axes. (Include at least one fraction less than one for
the rational number n).

Take a screenshot of all your graphs (there should be at least 5) and insert the image into this
document.
List your results in the table below.

Function Asymptote is at ….. y intercept Shape


y=2x y=0 (0, 1) Growth curve
y=3 x y=0 (0, 1) steeper than y=2x
y=(1/2) x y=0 (0, 1) steeper than y=2x
y=(1/4 )x y=0 (0, 1) steeper than y=2x
y=4 x y=0 (0, 1) steeper than y=2x

Describe, using words from the vocabulary list, the different effects that n can have on the graph
of y=nx .

as n is a rational number and fraction the curve becomes steeper. The positive curves are
symmetric to the negative curve.

Part 4: Graphs of the form y=a ×n x + k

Please do this part of the investigation on the squared paper.

(a) Without using Desmos or GeoGebra this time, sketch the graphs of

y=3 x and y=2×3 x −6

on the same set of axes. Make sure that you clearly label the asymptote, the x intercept
and the y intercept on your graph.

(b) On the same piece of squared paper see if you can explain and justify, step by step, the
transformations needed to move the graph of y=3 x onto the graph of y=2×3 x −6 . Try to
use the correct mathematical terminology in your answer.

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