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Introduction To Exponential Functions

This document discusses exponential functions and their properties. Exponential functions have the form f(x)=bx where b is the base. The document explains that exponential functions do not have a constant first or second difference unlike linear and quadratic functions. It also discusses that base exponential functions where b>1 are always increasing and those where 0<b<1 are always decreasing.

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Elizabeth
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17 views

Introduction To Exponential Functions

This document discusses exponential functions and their properties. Exponential functions have the form f(x)=bx where b is the base. The document explains that exponential functions do not have a constant first or second difference unlike linear and quadratic functions. It also discusses that base exponential functions where b>1 are always increasing and those where 0<b<1 are always decreasing.

Uploaded by

Elizabeth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Exponential

Functions
• A base exponential function has the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑥 , 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1.
2 𝑥
Ex: 𝑓 𝑥 = 5𝑥 , 𝑦 = , ℎ 𝑥 = 2.7𝑥 are all examples of
3
exponential functions.
• In an exponential function, the base is a constant and the exponent
contains the variable.

𝑥 2
𝑦=2 𝑦=𝑥
THESE ARE NOT
THE SAME!!!
𝒙 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓
First Diff.
−3 −14
3
−2 −11
3
−1 −8

0 −5
3 Linear Functions have a constant first difference.
3
1 −2
3
2 1
3
3 4

𝒙 𝒈 𝒙 = −𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙
First Diff.
−3 −30 Second Diff.
14
−2 −16 −4
10
−1 −6 −4
6
−4
Quadratic Functions have a constant second difference.
0 0
2
1 2 −4
−2
2 0 −4
−6
3 −6
𝒙 𝒉 𝒙 = 𝟒𝒙
First Diff.
−3 0.015625 Second Diff.
0.046875
−2 0.0625 0.140625
0.1875
−1 0.25
0.75
0.5625 Exponential Functions do not have a
0 1
3
2.25 constant first or second difference.
1 4 9
12
2 16 36
48
3 64

𝒙 𝒉 𝒙 = 𝟒𝒙
Ratio
−3 0.015625
4
−2 0.0625
4
−1 0.25

0 1
4 Base/Parent Exponential Functions have a common ratio.
4
1 4
4
2 16
4
3 64
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/pkpkla5mwu
Properties of base exponential functions 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑥 where 𝑏 > 1
• domain = 𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ
• range = 𝑦|𝑦𝜖ℝ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 > 0
• 𝑥 − intercept: none
• 𝑦 − intercept: 0,1
• There is a horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 0 only as the graph goes to the
left (towards negative infinity, as 𝑥 → −∞)
• The function is increasing from left to right.
Properties of base exponential functions 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑥 where 0 < 𝑏 < 1
• domain = 𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ
• range = 𝑦|𝑦𝜖ℝ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 > 0
• 𝑥 − intercept: none
• 𝑦 − intercept: 0,1
• There is a horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 0 only as the graph goes to the
right (towards positive infinity, as 𝑥 → +∞)
• The function is decreasing from left to right.

Key Points for each base function can be obtained by making a table of
values and using the “nice” results from 𝑥 = −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3.

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