Power Functions

Definition, Behavior, Graphs,

and Applications
 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
• identify power functions;
• describe the end behavior of some power functions;
• determine some graphs of power functions; and
.
• determine the applications of the power functions.
.

.
 Definition: Power Function
A power function is a function that can be expressed in
the form
𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥
where 𝑘 and 𝑝 are real numbers, and 𝑘 is known as the
coefficient and nonzero.
.

.
 Q: Is 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 a power function?
A: No
Exponential function Power function

𝑥 𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 =2 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥

Constant base Variable base

.

.
Variable power Fixed power
.
 Example 1: Identifying Power functions
Determine whether the following functions are power
functions.
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 1, constant function 𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝑓 𝑥 = 1 = 𝑥0 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = 0
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥, identity function 𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 = 𝑥1 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = 1
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 , cubic function 𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥3 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = 3
1
𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 = 𝑥 −1 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = −1
.
4. 𝑓 𝑥 = , reciprocal function
.
𝑥
. 1 1
. 5. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥, square root function 𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 = 𝑥2 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 =
.
2
.
 Some Cases of Power Functions

Case 1: The Power Functions with Even Powers. These

are also called the Even Functions.

Case 2: The Power Functions with Odd Powers. These

are also called the Odd Functions.
.

.
 Identifying the End Behavior of Even Functions
Consider the graphs of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 4 and ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥 6 which
are all power functions with even, whole-number powers.
ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥6
What have you
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥4
observed?
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2
• The graphs are like
that of quadratic • As the power
functions increases, the graph
. becomes steeper
.
• As the power away from the origin
. increases, the graph
becomes flatten • The function is
.

. near the origin symmetric about the

. x-axis
 Identifying the End Behavior of Even Functions

.
 Identifying the End Behavior of Odd Functions
Consider the graphs of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 , 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 5 and ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥 7 which
are all power functions with odd, whole-number powers.
ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥7
What have you
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥5
observed?
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥3
• The graphs are like
that of cubic • As the power
functions increases, the graph
. becomes steeper
.
• As the power away from the origin
. increases, the graph
becomes flatten • The function is anti-
.

. near the origin symmetric about the

. y-axis
 Identifying the End Behavior of Odd Functions

.
 Example 2:
Describe the end behavior of the following functions:

1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 8

2. 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 9

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 Solution to Example 2:
Describe the end behavior of the following functions:
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 8 𝑘 = 1 > 0, 𝑝 = 8, even

As 𝑥 → +∞, 𝑥 8 → +∞
As 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑥 8 → +∞
.

.
 Solution to Example 2:
Describe the end behavior of the following functions:
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 9 𝑘 = −1 < 0, 𝑝 = 9, odd

As 𝑥 → +∞, −𝑥 9 → −∞
As 𝑥 → −∞, −𝑥 9 → +∞
.

.
 Some Graphs of Power Functions
Power function:
𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥
When 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = 1: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥

The graph is a line.

.
 Some Graphs of Power Functions
Power function:
𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥
1
When 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = −1: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥

.
 Some Graphs of Power Functions
Power function:
𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥
1
When 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = : 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
2

.
 Some Graphs of Power Functions
Power function:
𝑝
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑥
1
When 𝑘 = 1, 𝑝 = : 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
2

.
 Applications of Power Functions
Modelling real-life scenario using power functions.

.
Quick Test
 Quick Test:
Determine whether the following functions are power functions.

1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 𝑥 5 Ans: Yes
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 4 Ans: No

Consider the function 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 7 .

• As 𝑥 approaches positive infinity, what happens
Ans: 𝑓 𝑥 → −∞
.

. to the corresponding values of 𝑓 𝑥 ?

.

• As 𝑥 approaches negative infinity, what

.
.

happens to the corresponding values of 𝑓 𝑥 ?

Ans: 𝑓 𝑥 → +∞
.
See you in the
next video 
Rational Functions and Its
Applications