General Mathematics

Quarter 1 – Module 17:

Exponential Functions,
Equations and Inequalities

CO_Q1_General Mathematics SHS

Module 17
General Mathematics
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 17: Exponential Functions, Equations, and Inequalities
First Edition, 2021

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General Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 17:
Exponential Functions,
Equations, and Inequalities
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
Exponential Function, Exponential Equation and Exponential Inequality. The scope
of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The
language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you
read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. distinguish exponential function, exponential equation, and exponential
inequality; and
2. formulate own examples of exponential functions, equations, and inequalities.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. What do you call an expression that is of the form 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 𝑥−𝑐 𝑑, where a, b, c, and
d are real numbers and x is a variable?
a. Exponential Expression
b. Logarithmic Expression
c. Mathematical Expression
d. Rational Algebraic Expression

2. Which of the following expresses the relationship between two variables?

a. Exponential Equation
b. Exponential Expression
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

3. Which of the following is most commonly expressed as an independent

variable?
a. 𝑦
b. 𝑥
c. 𝑓(𝑥)
d. 𝑔(𝑥)

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4. In which of the following is 16 = 4𝑥−2 classified?
a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

5. In which of the following is 23𝑥−4 classified?

a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

6. In which of the following is 𝑓(𝑥) = 7𝑥 3 classified?

a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

1 3𝑥
7. In which of the following is (2) ≤ 16 classified?
a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

8. What is true about the exponential function 𝑦 = 10𝑥−2 ?

a. This shows the relationship between two variables.
b. The possible values for y can be assigned beforehand.
c. This can also be considered as an exponential equation.
d. The possible values for x can be solved based on y-values.

9. Which of the following is an exponential function?

a. 𝑦 = 9𝑥 2
b. ℎ(𝑥) = 4𝑥
c. 2𝑥+1 = 4
d. 3𝑥 2 = 81

10. Which of the following is an exponential inequality?

a. 9𝑥 < 272𝑥
b. 34𝑥 = 𝑦
c. 2𝑥 = 64𝑥 2
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥

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11. Which of the following is an exponential equation?
a. 10𝑥−2 ≥ 100 𝑥
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 83𝑥
c. 12 = 144𝑥
d. (0.25)𝑥+4 > (0.5)5𝑥

12. In which of the following is 22 (400𝑥+1 ) = 80 classified?

a. Exponential Equation
b. Exponential Function
c. Exponential Inequality
d. Exponential Model

13. In which of the following is 64≥ 4𝑥+1 classified?

a. Exponential Equation
b. Exponential Function
c. Exponential Inequality
d. Exponential Model

14. Which of the following is an exponential equation?

a. 36 = 𝑥 2
b. 34𝑥 > 27
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 102𝑥
d. 81 = 9𝑥

15. Which of the following is an exponential inequality?

a. (0.64) ≤ (0.8)𝑥
b. 3 > 27𝑥 3
c. 102 ≥ 1000𝑥
d. 49 < 73

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 Lesson
Exponential Functions,
1 Equations and Inequalities
What is the pride of your city or province? Are you aware of the natural sources of
income your city or province have? Have you ever thought of the pattern in the
production of some natural sources of income in your hometown? Are they increasing
or declining quickly? As a Senior High School learner and a concerned citizen, that
is one good thing you need to be aware of.

What’s In

Anything that increases or decreases rapidly is said to be exponential. You have

learned in the previous module that there are a lot of real-life situations involving
such conditions. For instance, population growth, exponential decay, and compound
interest are some of the situations that depict the so-called exponential functions.
Recall that an exponential function with base b is of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 or 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 ,
where 𝑏 > 0, but 𝑏 ≠ 1. Have you noticed anything with the exponent? How does it
differ from the exponents of some other functions? Good! The exponential function
has exponents that are variables. In the past lesson, you have learned that this
exponent determines how fast a function increases or decreases.

Notes to the Teacher

Lead learners to the concept that f(x) and y are the same in dealing
with functions, as they both refer to dependent variable. Guide
learners as well in understanding that the symbols "𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1"
mean all positive numbers, but one.

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 What’s New

Spot the Similarity and Difference!

Below are statements with exponential expressions. Observe them and spot their
similarities and differences.
(a) 3𝑥−2 = 81 (b) 𝑦 = 4𝑥 (c) 2𝑥 ≥ 32

Questions:
1. What is the similarity of (a), (b), and (c)?
2. What is the similarity of (a) and (c)?
3. How do (a) and (c) differ from (b)?
4. How are (a) and (b) similar to each other?
5. How do (a) and (b) differ from (c)?
6. Can you recall which among them is an exponential function?
7. Which among the three involve/s exponential expression/s?

As you have noticed, all the three givens involve variable as the exponent. The
statements in (a) and (c) have only one variable, while (b) has the relationship
between two variables. It is also shown that (a) and (b) both use an equal sign,
whereas (c) contains an inequality symbol.
Recall that (b) is an exponential function since it shows the relation between
dependent variable y and independent variable x. Nevertheless, all three involve
exponential expressions. It is so since all include expressions with a variable used
as an exponent.

What is It

From the previous activity, you have learned that there are other statements with
exponential expressions aside from exponential function. Based on what you have
observed, they do not involve a dependent variable y or f(x). But taking a deeper look,
you will then notice that these expressions can be further classified into two –
exponential equation and inequality. Let us now differentiate the three.
An exponential function is a function involving exponential expression showing a
relationship between the independent variable x and dependent variable y or f(x).
Examples of which are 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥+3 and 𝑦 = 102𝑥 .

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On the other hand, an exponential equation is an equation involving exponential
expression that can be solved for all x values satisfying the equation. For instance,
121 = 11𝑥 and 3𝑥 = 9𝑥−2 .
Lastly, an exponential inequality is an inequality involving exponential expression
that can be solved for all x values satisfying the inequality. For example, 641/3 > 2𝑥
and (0.9)𝑥 ≤ 0.81.
After learning the differences among the three exponential expressions, can you give
your own examples for each? What are they?

What’s More

Activity 1.1
Where Do They Belong?
Below is a list of statements with exponential expressions. Classify each as to
whether it is an exponential function, equation, inequality, or does not belong to
any of these three.

32𝑥−4 1 𝑥 𝑥7 + 1
6>( ) 64 = 2𝑥+2
≤ 16𝑥+2 36𝑥 = 6 36 < 10𝑥 8 𝑦 = 𝑥5

1 𝑥+2
( )
100 > 102𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 45𝑥 𝑦 = 5𝑥−1 2 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥
1 𝑥
=( )
8

7 = 49𝑥 27 < 3𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥+2

Exponential Exponential Exponential None of these

Function Equation Inequality

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Activity 1.2
Classify and Justify!

On the blank provided before each number, classify each given as an exponential
function, equation, inequality, or none of these three. Justify your decision in one
sentence for every item. Write the justification on the blanks provided below each
given expression.

________________________________ 1. 32𝑥 = 81
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________ 2. 𝑥 5 < 15𝑥 3

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

1 𝑥
________________________________ 3. 5 > ( )
25
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________ 4. ℎ(𝑥) = 63𝑥

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________ 5. 32 = 2𝑥+1
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned

Complete the following statements by filling in the blanks with the correct words or
phrases.
1. An expression involving a rapid increase or decrease is said to be __________
________________________________.
2. The exponent of an exponential expression is a ___________________________
_______________ showing how fast the function increase or decrease.
3. When a statement with exponential expression depicts a relationship between
two variables, it involves ____________________________.
4. An __________________________ can be solved for all x values of those involving
equations.
5. An exponential inequality is a/an ___________________ that can also be solved
for all values of x.

What I Can Do

Coordinate with authorities regarding the production rate of the natural sources of
income in your area such as rice, coconut, or fish production.

Construct an exponential function corresponding to the production rate that you will
be given.

Based on the exponential expression you formulated, what can you contribute to the
situation as a responsible youth citizen.

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Try scoring your essay using the rubric below.
Criteria 4 3 2 1
Proficiency Formulated Formulated Formulated Formulated
(score x 2) an an an an equation
exponential exponential exponential but not an
function function but function but exponential
corresponding do not there is no fucntion
to the given correspond to given
situation the given situation
situation
Idea Very relative Quite relative Less relative Not relative to
(score x 2) to the topic to the topic to the topic the topic with
and well- and the with poorly very poorly
organized organization organized organized
ideas of ideas is ideas
somehow
inadequate
Spelling, No spelling, Very few Several Many spelling,
Grammar, punctuation spelling, spelling, punctuation,
and or punctuation, punctuation, and
grammatical and and grammatical
Punctuations
errors grammatical grammatical errors
(score x 1) errors errors

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 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. What is true about exponential expression?

a. It has an exponent.
b. Its exponent is a variable.
c. Its exponent is constant.
d. Its exponent is an expression.
2. Which of the following is an exponential function?
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = (4 + 𝑥)2
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥
3. In which of the following is 36𝑥 = 6𝑥+4 classified?
a. Exponential Model
b. Exponential Function
c. Exponential Inequality
d. Exponential Equation

4. Which of the following is commonly used as a dependent variable in an

exponential function?
a. 𝑓(𝑥)
b. 𝑥
c. 2𝑥
d. 2𝑥

5. In which of the following is 169 ≥ 132𝑥 classified?

a. Exponential Inequality
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Model

6. In which of the following is 35𝑥−1 = 27 classified?

a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

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7. Which of the following is an exponential function?
a. 5𝑥+3 < 25𝑥
b. 12 = 144𝑥
c. 𝑦 = 12𝑥−1
d. (0.64)𝑥 > (0.8)𝑥+4

8. Which of the following is an exponential inequality?

a. (0.04) ≤ 0.2𝑥
b. 3 > 27𝑥
c. 302 ≥ 900𝑥
d. 64𝑥 < 26

9. Which of the following is an exponential function?

a. 𝑦 = 11𝑥 2
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 11𝑥
c. 𝑗(𝑥) = 11𝑥
d. 11𝑥 2 = 𝑥 11

10. Which of the following is an exponential inequality?

a. 4𝑥−1 > 162𝑥
b. 4𝑥 − 1 < 16𝑥 2
c. 𝑦 = 16𝑥 2
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = (16 + 𝑥)2

11. Which of the following is an exponential equation?

a. 𝑥 2 = 144
b. 15𝑥+2 = 225
c. 2𝑥 + 3 = 29
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥

12. In which of the following is 𝑦 = 23𝑥+1 classified?

a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

13. What is true about an exponential function?

a. It contains the inequality symbol.
b. It has a numerical exponent only.
c. It is written in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 where 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1.
d. It involves radical expression.

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14. In which of the following is 𝑔(𝑥) = 4𝑥−1 classified?
a. Exponential Expression
b. Exponential Equation
c. Exponential Function
d. Exponential Inequality

15. What is true about 1000 = 100𝑥 ?

a. It can be considered as an exponential function.
b. It is an exponential equation whose x-value can be solved.
c. It can be expressed as an exponential inequality with one variable.
d. It shows the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables.

Additional Activities

Formulate your own 5 examples for each of the following:

● Exponential function
● Exponential equation
● Exponential inequality

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 Module 17
CO_Q1_General Mathematics SHS 13
What I Know What's More Assessment
1. a Activity 1.1 1. b
2. c Exponential Function 2. d
3. b 𝑔(𝑥) = 45𝑥 3. d
𝑦 = 5𝑥−1
4. b 4. a
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥
5. a 5. a
𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥+2
6. c 6. b
Exponential Equation
7. d 36𝑥 = 6 7. c
8. a 64 = 2𝑥+2 8. b
9. b 1 𝑥+2 1 𝑥 9. c
10. a ( ) =( ) 10. a
2 8
11. c 7 = 49𝑥 11. b
12. a Exponential Inequality 12. c
13. c 32𝑥−4 ≤ 16𝑥+2 13. c
14. d 1 𝑥 14. c
6>( )
15. a 36 15. b
100 > 102𝑥
27 < 3𝑥
None of these
𝑥 7 + 1 < 10𝑥 8
𝑦 = 𝑥5
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3
Activity 1.2
1.Exponential Equation
It is an exponential expression involving equation with
only 1 variable.
2.None of these
It is not an exponential expression.
3.Exponential Inequality
It is an exponential expression involving equation with
only 1 variable.
4.Exponential Function
It is an exponential expression involving relationship
between 2 variables.
5. Exponential Equation
It is an exponential expression involving equation with
only 1 variable.
Answer Key
References

General Mathematics Learner’s Material. First Edition. 2016. P. 82

*DepED Material: General Mathematics Learner’s Material

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