Mathematics

Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

LESSON 7.3
Intercepts and Asymptotes of Exponential Functions
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Test Your Prerequisite Skills 2

DepEd Competencies 2

Objectives 3

Warm-Up! 3

Learn about It! 4

Let’s Practice 8

Check Your Understanding 16

Key Points 17

Bibliography 18
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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

Lesson 7.3
Intercepts and Asymptotes of
Exponential Functions

Fig. 1. Barrels Containing Radioactive Substances

Introduction
In chemistry, you have learned that the half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for
it to decay to one-half of its original amount. Now, you may wonder, does the substance ever
run out? You may notice that no matter how many periods of half-life occur, there will always
be a certain amount of that substance. Does it ever reach zero?

The amount of the radioactive isotope that you have can be illustrated using an exponential
function. One particular property of the graph of an exponential function is that it contains
asymptotes. This means that as the value of 𝑥 increases, the value of 𝑦 approaches a

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

particular value but never reaches it. Intercepts also play an important role in analyzing the
amount of substance. If the graph has no 𝑥-intercept, then it means that the substance may
never run out.

In this lesson, you will learn about the intercepts and asymptotes of an exponential function.

Test Your Prerequisite Skills

Before you get started, answer the following items on a separate sheet of paper. This will help
you assess your prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying the
lessons in this unit. Show your complete solution.

1. Construct a table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) with the given 𝑥 values: 𝑥 = −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3.
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥
1 𝑥
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = (3)

DepEd Competencies
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Determine the intercepts, zeroes, and asymptotes of an exponential

function (M11GM-If-4).

● Solve problems involving exponential functions, equations, and

inequalities (M11-GM-Ig-2).

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Correctly state the properties of exponential functions.

● Correctly find the intercepts and asymptotes of an exponential function.

● Correctly determine whether a function undergoes a vertical or horizontal

shift from a given exponential function.

● Correctly solve real-world problems involving exponential functions.

Warm-Up!

What Do You See?

Materials
● graphing software
● pen
● paper

Instructions
1. This activity may be done in pairs.
2. You will be answering some questions for this activity.
3. Kindly record your answers on a sheet of paper. You will be asked to refer to this
activity as you study the lesson.
4. Using graphing software, follow the given and answer the questions that follow.
You may seek assistance from your teacher in graphing the functions.

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Questions:
1. Graph the following functions using the graphing software:
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(3)𝑥
1 𝑥
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3 (2)

c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4(2)𝑥
2. For each of the graphs in Number 1, where does the curve cross the 𝑦-axis?
3. Look at the equations of each function in Number 1. What have you noticed with your
answers in Number 2 and the coefficients of the base that is raised to 𝑥 in the function?
4. Do the graphs in Number 1 ever cross the 𝑥-axis? (Note: You may have to zoom in to
answer this question.)
5. Graph the following functions using the graphing software:
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(3)𝑥 − 3
1 𝑥
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3 ( ) + 2
2

c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4(2)𝑥 − 1
6. For each of the functions in Number 5, what value of 𝑦 does 𝑓(𝑥) approach as you go
to the extreme right?
7. Look at the equations of each function in Number 5. What have you noticed with your
answers in Number 6 and the constant that was added in the equation of the functions
(in reference to those in Number 1)?
8. Compare each graph in Number 1 to its corresponding graph in Number 5 (i.e.,
compare the graph of Number 1a with the graph of Number 5a, Number 1b with Number
5b, and so on). What have you noticed?

Learn about It!

Like rational functions, exponential functions have zeros, intercepts, and asymptotes. Refer
to your graphs and answers in Warm Up! as you go along with this discussion.

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

You have probably noticed that the graphs in Number 1 do not cross the 𝑥-axis. Also, these
graphs cross the 𝑦-axis at the values equal to the coefficient of the base that is raised to 𝑥.
Notice that the functions in Number 1 have the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 .

Essential Questions
How can you find the intercepts and asymptotes of an exponential function?

Intercepts of Exponential Functions

Exponential functions in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 have no zeros or 𝒙-intercepts. This is because
𝑘 ≠ 0 and any nonzero number raised to a power will also be nonzero.

The 𝑦-intercept of an exponential function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 is (0, 𝑘). When 𝑥 = 0, it
follows that 𝑓(0) = 𝑘𝑎0 = 𝑘. You may notice the same for the functions in Number 1 of Warm
Up!

Asymptotes of Exponential Functions

Vertical Asymptote
Functions of this form have no vertical asymptotes since the domain of these functions is
the set of all real numbers. The domain of exponential functions will be discussed more in
the next lesson.

Horizontal Asymptote
The horizontal asymptote is the 𝒙-axis. This is the value that 𝑓(𝑥) approaches either on the
extreme right or left of the graph. You will also notice that the functions in Number 1 of the
Warm Up! questions have the 𝑥-axis as their horizontal asymptotes.

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

To summarize, the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 has the following properties:

• It has no zeros or 𝑥-intercepts.
• Its 𝑦-intercept is (0, 𝑘).
• It has no vertical asymptotes.
• Its horizontal asymptote is the 𝑥-axis.

Shifting of an Exponential Function

Vertical Shift
Like all other types of functions, exponential functions may be shifted. A vertical shift occurs
when a constant is added to a given exponential function, causing its entire graph to move
upward or downward on the Cartesian plane.

In general, the graph of the function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 is equivalent to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥
shifted 𝑐 units upward if 𝑐 > 0, or shifted 𝑐 units downward if 𝑐 < 0.

We can see this in Warm Up! Number 5, where the functions are quite similar to those in
Number 1, except that constants were added. The constants that were added tell how many
units the graphs are shifted upward or downward.

With the introduction of vertical shift, it is now possible for an exponential function to have a
zero or an 𝑥-intercept.

Consider exponential functions in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐. These functions have the following
properties:
• If 𝑘 and 𝑐 have opposite signs, then 𝑓(𝑥) has an 𝑥-intercept.
• The 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓(𝑥) is (0, 𝑘 + 𝑐).
• The function has no vertical asymptotes.

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• The horizontal asymptote of 𝑓(𝑥) is 𝑦 = 𝑐.

Horizontal Shift
Let us also take note of the concept of horizontal shift. An exponential function undergoes a
horizontal shift when a constant is added to its exponent. This causes the entire graph of
the function to move to the left or to the right.

Generally, the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥−𝑏 moves |𝑏| units to the left if 𝑏 < 0, or 𝑏 units
to the right if 𝑏 > 0.

To summarize, if a function is in the form 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥−𝑏 + 𝑐, it will have the following
properties:
• It will have an 𝑥-intercept if 𝑘 and 𝑐 have opposite signs.
• Its 𝑦-intercept is obtained by evaluating 𝑓(0).
• It will experience both vertical and horizontal shifts from the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 :
o It is like the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) shifted 𝑐 units upward if 𝑐 > 0, or 𝑐 units downward
if 𝑐 < 0.
o It is like the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) shifted |𝑏| units to the left if 𝑏 < 0, or 𝑏 units to the
right if 𝑏 > 0.
• It does not have a vertical asymptote.
• Its horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 𝑐.

Essential Questions
What are the properties of an exponential function?

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Let’s Practice
Example 1
1 𝑥
Identify the intercepts and asymptotes of the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 (5) .

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the intercepts of the function.

1
Since the function is in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 , where 𝑘 = 5, and 𝑎 = 5, we can say

that 𝑓(𝑥) has no 𝒙-intercepts or zeros.

The 𝑦-intercept of a function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 is (0, 𝑘). Since 𝑘 = 5, it

1 𝑥
follows that the 𝒚-intercept of 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 (5) is (𝟎, 𝟓).

Step 2: Determine the asymptotes of the function.

𝟏 𝒙
Since the function is in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 , 𝑓(𝒙) = 𝟓 (𝟓) does not have any

vertical asymptotes. This is because its domain is the set of real numbers.

The function being in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 has the 𝑥-axis or the line 𝒚 = 𝟎 as its
horizontal asymptote.

Try It Yourself!
1
Identify the intercepts and asymptotes of the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 (2)𝑥 .

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Example 2
1 𝑥
Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the exponential function 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 (5) − 5.

Solution
Step 1: Determine the values of 𝑘, 𝑎, and 𝑐 in the given exponential function.

We see that 𝑔(𝑥) is in the form 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐. Thus, we identify the values of
𝑘, 𝑎, and 𝑐 to find the intercepts and asymptotes easily.

1
𝑘 = 5, 𝑎 = , 𝑐 = −5
5

Step 2: Determine the intercepts of the function.

Since 𝑘 and 𝑐 have opposite signs, it follows that 𝑔(𝑥) has an 𝑥-intercept. To find
the 𝑥-intercept, we equate 𝑦 to 0 and solve for 𝑥.

1 𝑥
5( ) − 5 = 0
5
1 𝑥
5( ) = 5
5
1 𝑥
( ) =1
5

1 𝑥
The equation (5) = 1 when 𝑥 = 0. Thus, 𝑥 = 0 when 𝑔(𝑥) = 0. Therefore, the

𝒙-intercept is (𝟎, 𝟎).

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

The 𝑦-intercept of a function can be shown by evaluating 𝑔(𝑥) when 𝑥 = 0:

1 𝑥
𝑔(𝑥) = 5 ) − 5
(
5
1 0
𝑔(0) = 5 ( ) − 5
5
𝑔(0) = 5 − 5
𝑔(0) = 0

Therefore, the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑔(𝑥) is (𝟎, 𝟎).

Alternatively, you can determine the 𝑦-intercept of the exponential function by

following the form (0, 𝑘 + 𝑐). Since 𝑘 = 5 and 𝑐 = −5, it follows that the 𝑦-
intercept is (0, 5 + (−5)) → (𝟎, 𝟎).

Step 3: Determine the asymptotes of the function.

The function 𝑔(𝑥) has no vertical asymptotes since the domain of an

exponential function is the set of real numbers.

The horizontal asymptote of a function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 is 𝑦 = 𝑐. Since

𝑐 = −5, it follows that the horizontal asymptote is 𝒚 = −𝟓.

1 𝑥 1 𝑥
The graphs of 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 (5) − 5 and 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 (5) are given below.

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

Notice that the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) is basically the same as the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) shifted
5 units downward. This is an example of vertical shift, and the shift is downward
because 𝑐 < 0.

Try It Yourself!
1 𝑥
Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the function 𝑔(𝑥) = −3 (3) + 9.

Example 3
Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥−1 − 4.

Solution
Notice that the function is written in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥−𝑏 + 𝑐.

Step 1: Identify the values of 𝑘, 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 to find the intercepts and asymptotes easily.

𝑘 = 1, 𝑎 = 8, 𝑏 = 1, 𝑐 = −4

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Step 2: Determine the intercepts of the function.

To find the 𝑥-intercept, we equate 𝑓(𝑥) to 0 and solve for 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 0
𝑥−1
8 −4 = 0
8𝑥−1 = 4

Note that 8 and 4 have different bases. In order to equate the exponents of the
two expressions, we have to have similar bases. We can rewrite 8 as 23 and 4
as 22 so that they will have the same base, which is 2.

8𝑥−1 = 4
(23 )𝑥−1 = 22

Recall that (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 . Applying this law, we have

23𝑥−3 = 22

Since the bases are the same, we can assume that their exponents must also
be the same.

3𝑥 − 3 = 2
3𝑥 = 5
5
𝑥=
3

𝟓
Therefore, the 𝑥-intercept of 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥−1 − 4 is (𝟑 , 𝟎).

To solve for the 𝑦-intercept, we evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑥 = 0:

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Grade 11 • Unit 7: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

𝑓(0) = 80−1 − 4
𝑓(0) = 8−1 − 4
1
𝑓(0) = −4
8
31
𝑓(0) = −
8

𝟑𝟏
Therefore, the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥−1 − 4 is (𝟎, − 𝟖
).

Step 3: Determine the asymptotes of the function.

Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥−1 − 4 is an exponential function, then it has no vertical

asymptotes. Note that the domain of an exponential function is the set of real
numbers.

A function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥−𝑏 + 𝑐 has a horizontal asymptote at 𝑦 = 𝑐.

Since 𝑐 = −4, it follows that the horizontal asymptote is 𝒚 = −𝟒.

The graphs of 𝑔(𝑥) = 8𝑥 − 4 and 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥−1 − 4 are shown as follows.

Notice that the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is just the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) shifted 1 unit to the right.

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The shift is to the right because 𝑏 = 1 > 0.

Try It Yourself!
1 𝑥
Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = −2 ( ) + 4.
2

Real-World Problems
Example 4
The velocity of a skydiver who jumps from a height can be
modeled by the function 𝑣(𝑡) = 80(1 − 𝑒 −0.2𝑡 ), where 𝑣 is the
velocity measured in feet per second, and 𝑡 is the time
measured in seconds. Find the initial velocity and the terminal
velocity of the skydiver. The terminal velocity of an object is
the maximum velocity or the limit of the velocity of a falling object that experiences air
resistance.

Solution
Since the velocity is written as a function of time, this means that the independent variable is
time, and velocity is the dependent variable. We can rewrite the function as an exponential
function so that we can determine the initial and terminal velocity easily.

Step 1: Write the function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐.

Let us manipulate the function 𝑣(𝑡) = 80(1 − 𝑒 −0.2𝑡 ) so that it follows the form
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐.

𝑣(𝑡) = 80 − 80𝑒 −0.2𝑡

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𝑣(𝑡) = −80𝑒 −0.2𝑡 + 80

Notice that this is now in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 where 𝑘 = −80, 𝑎 = 𝑒 (𝑒 is an

irrational number equal to 2.71828…), 𝑥 = −0.2𝑡, and 𝑐 = 80.

Step 2: Determine the initial velocity.

To find the initial velocity, we have to find 𝑣(𝑡) when 𝑡 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑡,
we have
𝑣(0) = −80𝑒 −0.2(0) + 80
𝑣(0) = −80𝑒 0 + 80
𝑣(0) = −80(1) + 80
𝑣(0) = −80 + 80
𝑣(0) = 0

Thus, the initial velocity of the skydiver is 0 meters per second. This means
that the skydiver starts from rest.

Step 3: Determine the maximum velocity or the terminal velocity.

To find the maximum velocity or terminal velocity, we want to find the velocity
that the skydiver approaches. Graphically, this is the value that the function
approaches as time increases or as we go to the extreme right of the graph.

Finding this value is like finding the horizontal asymptote. Recall that the
horizontal asymptote of a function in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 is 𝑦 = 𝑐.

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Since 𝑐 = 80, it follows that the horizontal asymptote is at 𝒚 = 𝟖𝟎. This means
that the skydiver’s terminal velocity is 80 meters per second.

Try It Yourself!
The charge in a circuit containing a capacitor is modeled by the
function 𝑞(𝑡) = 2(1 − 𝑒 −10𝑡 ), where 𝑞(𝑡) is the charge measured in
coulombs and 𝑡 is the time measured in seconds. Find the initial
charge in the capacitor and the maximum charge that it approaches.

Check Your Understanding

A. Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the following functions.
2 𝑥
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 ( )
3
1 𝑥
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3 ( )
2

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 2
3 2 𝑥
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (3) − 1
1 𝑥+1
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3 (3)
1 𝑥−2
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = (2)

7. 𝑓(𝑥) = 8(2)𝑥 − 2
9 2 𝑥+2
8. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 (3)

B. Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 . Identify whether the following functions undergo
vertical shift, horizontal shift, or both, and to which direction and by how many units.
1. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1
2. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥+3

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3. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥−2
4. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
5. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥−3 + 2
6. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥+1 − 4
7. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥−3 − 5
8. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥+2 + 4

C. Solve the following problems.

1. The value of a car 𝑡 years from now can be modeled by 𝑉(𝑡) = 16 000(0.78)𝑡 . How
much is the car’s value at present? What value does it approach?
2. When air resistance is taken into account, an object dropped from a building has
a velocity 𝑣(𝑡) = 100(1 − 𝑒 −2𝑡 ), where 𝑣 is measured in feet per second, and 𝑡 is
the time measured in seconds. What is the object’s initial velocity, and what is its
terminal velocity?

Key Points

• These are the properties of exponential functions of the form 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌𝒂𝒙
o It has no zeros or 𝑥-intercepts.
o Its 𝑦-intercept is (0, 𝑘).
o It has no vertical asymptotes.
o Its horizontal asymptote is the 𝑥-axis.
• These are the properties of exponential functions of the form 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌𝒂𝒙 + 𝒄
o If 𝑘 and 𝑐 have opposite signs, then 𝑓(𝑥) has an 𝑥-intercept.
o The 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓(𝑥) is (0, 𝑘 + 𝑐).
o The function has no vertical asymptotes.
o The horizontal asymptote of 𝑓(𝑥) is 𝑦 = 𝑐.

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• These are the properties of exponential functions of the form 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌𝒂𝒙−𝒃 + 𝒄
o If 𝑘 and 𝑐 have opposite signs, then 𝑓(𝑥) has an 𝑥-intercept. Otherwise, the
graph has no 𝑥-intercepts. If 𝑐 = 0, the graph does not have any 𝑥-intercepts as
well.
o Its 𝑦-intercept is obtained by evaluating 𝑓(0).
o It will have both vertical and horizontal shifts from the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑎 𝑥 :
▪ It is similar to the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) shifted 𝑐 units upward if 𝑐 > 0, or 𝑐 units
downward if 𝑐 < 0.
▪ It is similar to the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) shifted |𝑏| units to the left if 𝑏 < 0, or 𝑏
units to the right if 𝑏 > 0.
o It does not have a vertical asymptote.
• A vertical shift occurs when a constant is added to a given exponential function,
causing its entire graph to move upward or downward on the Cartesian plane.
• A horizontal shift occurs when a constant is added to the exponent of a given
exponential function, causing its entire graph to move to the left or to the right.

Bibliography
Dugopolski, Mark. Algebra for College Students. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Sousa, James. “Horizontal and Vertical Translations of Exponential Functions.” Lumen

Learning. Accessed March 13, 2019.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/waymakercollegealgebra/chapter/horizontal-
and-vertical-translations-of-exponential-functions/

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Stewart James, Lothar Redlin, and Saleem Watson. College Algebra. New Tech Park: Cengage
Learning, 2010.

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