Graphing Exponential Functions

Name Period #

x
Ex 1: The function y = 3 is called an _____________________________ function because the exponent is a
____________________________.

Now, let’s look at how to graph the exponential function y = 3x .

x y = 3x y (x, y)
1 1
-3 y = 3( −3) = 3 =
3 27
-2

-1

Definition 1: Since the y values increase as the x values increase in the example above, this is what we call
exponential ___________________________. (The graph goes up the hill from left to right)

QUESTION: In the exponential function y = 3 x , the y-values can never equal or be less than ____________.

Definition 2: Since the y-value can NEVER equal zero in this function, there is a horizontal
__________________________ at y = 0.

Ex 2: By looking at the graph above, list the domain and range of the function y = 3x

DOMAIN:

RANGE:
 x
⎛1⎞
Ex 3: Now, let’s look at how to graph the exponential function y = ⎜ ⎟ .
⎝3⎠
x
⎛1⎞
x y =⎜ ⎟ y (x, y)
⎝3⎠
-3

-2

-1

Definition 3: Since the y values decrease as the x values increase in the example above, this is what we call
exponential ___________________________. (The graph goes down the hill from left to right)

QUESTION: Is there an asymptote? If so, where is it?

x
⎛1⎞
Ex 4: By looking at the graph above, list the domain and range of the function y = ⎜ ⎟
⎝3⎠
DOMAIN:

RANGE:

Tell whether the functions below show exponential GROWTH or DECAY.

x
⎛1⎞
5) y = ⎜ ⎟ 6) y = 2x 7) y =1x
⎝4⎠

x
⎛2⎞
10) y = ⎜ ⎟
x x
8) y =5 9) y=0
⎝3⎠
 Graphing Exponential Functions Practice Worksheet
Name Period #
Graph the following functions and tell whether they show exponential growth or decay.

1)

x y = 2x y (x, y)
-3

-2

-1

Does the function above show exponential GROWTH or DECAY?

2)

x
⎛1⎞
x y =⎜ ⎟ y (x, y)
⎝2⎠
-3

-2

-1

Does the function above show exponential GROWTH or DECAY?

x y = 1x y (x, y)
-3

-2

-1

Does the function above show exponential GROWTH or DECAY?

Tell whether the functions below show exponential GROWTH or DECAY.

x
⎛1⎞
5) y = ⎜ ⎟
x
4) y=9 6) y = 4x
⎝5⎠
x x
⎛2⎞ ⎛5⎞
7) y = ⎜ ⎟ 8) y = ⎜ ⎟ 9) y = 0x
⎝7⎠ ⎝6⎠
 Algebra 1                   Name 
Unit: Exponential Functions Date 
Homework  Hour

Graphing Exponential Functions Worksheet #2

Sketch the graph of each function. Then, state the Domain,  Range, and 
Y-intercept, and change of Y-values  of the function.

1. y = 8 • ( 12 ) x

X  Y 
-1   
0   
1   
2   
3   
4   
5   
6   

Domain:  
 
Range:  
 
Y-Intercept: (        ,        ) 
 
Change in Y-Values:  
 
Growth or Decay? ​____________ 
 

1 
2. y = 7
2 • 2x

X Y
-4   
-3   
-2   
-1   
0   
1   
2   
3   
4   

Domain:  
 
Range:  
 
Y-Intercept: (        ,        ) 
 
Change in Y-Values:  
 
Growth or Decay? ​____________

2 
 x
3. y =− 6 • ( 12 )

X Y
-2   
-1   
0   
1   
2   
3   
4   
5   
6   
7   

Domain:  
 
Range:  
 
Y-Intercept: (        ,        ) 
 
Change in Y-Values:  
 
Growth or Decay? ​____________ 

3 
4. y = 0.5 x

X Y
-3   
-2   
-1   
0   
1   
2   
3   

Domain:  
 
Range:  
 
Y-Intercept: (        ,        ) 
 
Change in Y-Values  (b) :  
 
Growth or Decay? ​____________ 

4