1.

6 Exponential Functions

Essential Question What are some of the characteristics of the

graph of an exponential function?
You can use a graphing calculator to evaluate an exponential function. For example,
consider the exponential function f (x) = 2x.
Function Value Graphing Calculator Keystrokes Display
f (−3.1) = 2–3.1 2 3.1 ENTER 0.1166291
()
f —23 = 22/3 2 ( 2 ! 3 ) ENTER 1.5874011

Identifying Graphs of Exponential Functions

Work with a partner. Match each exponential function with its graph. Use a table
of values to sketch the graph of the function, if necessary.
a. f (x) = 2x b. f (x) = 3x c. f (x) = 4x

()
d. f (x) = —12
x
()
e. f (x) = —13
x
()
f. f (x) = —14
x

A. y B. y
6 6

4 4

−4 −2 2 4 x −4 −2 2 4 x

C. y D. y
6 6

4 4

−4 −2 2 4 x −4 −2 2 4 x

E. y F. y
6 6

4 4

CONSTRUCTING
VIABLE −4 −2 2 4 x −4 −2 2 4 x

ARGUMENTS
To be proficient in math, Characteristics of Graphs of Exponential
you need to justify Functions
your conclusions and
communicate them Work with a partner. Use the graphs in Exploration 1 to determine the domain,
to others. range, and y-intercept of the graph of f (x) = b x, where b is a positive real number
other than 1. Explain your reasoning.

Communicate Your Answer

3. What are some of the characteristics of the graph of an exponential function?
4. In Exploration 2, is it possible for the graph of f (x) = b x to have an x-intercept?
Explain your reasoning.

Section 1.6 Exponential Functions 41

1.6 Lesson What You Will Learn
Graph exponential growth and decay functions.
Write exponential models and recursive rules.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Rewrite exponential functions.
exponential function, p. 42
exponential growth function,
Exponential Growth and Decay Functions
p. 42
growth factor, p. 42 An exponential function has the form y = abx, where a ≠ 0 and the base b is a
positive real number other than 1. If a > 0 and b > 1, then y = ab x is an exponential
asymptote, p. 42
growth function, and b is called the growth factor. The simplest type of exponential
exponential decay function,
growth function has the form y = b x.
p. 42
decay factor, p. 42
recursive rule for an
exponential function, p. 44
Core Concept
Previous Parent Function for Exponential Growth Functions
sequences The function f (x) = b x, where b > 1, is the parent function for the family of
properties of exponents exponential growth functions with base b. The graph shows the general shape
of an exponential growth function.

f(x) = b x
(b > 1) The graph rises from
left to right, passing
-

The x-axis is an asymptote of (1, b)

(0, 1) through the points
the graph. An asymptote is a (0, 1) and (1, b).
line that a graph approaches x
more and more closely.

The domain of f (x) = b x is all real numbers. The range is y > 0.

If a > 0 and 0 < b < 1, then y = ab x is an exponential decay function, and b is called
the decay factor.

Core Concept
Parent Function for Exponential Decay Functions
The function f (x) = b x, where 0 < b < 1, is the parent function for the family of
exponential decay functions with base b. The graph shows the general shape
of an exponential decay function.

f(x) = b x
(0 < b < 1)
The graph falls from
left to right, passing (1, b) The x-axis is an
through the points (0, 1)
x asymptote of
(0, 1) and (1, b). the graph.

The domain of f (x) = b x is all real numbers. The range is y > 0.

42 Chapter 1 Functions and Exponents

 Graphing Exponential Growth and Decay Functions

Determine whether each function represents exponential growth or exponential decay.

Then graph the function.
STUDY TIP
When graphing
a. y = 2x ()
b. y = —12
x

exponential functions, you

SOLUTION
connect the points with a
smooth curve because a. Step 1 Identify the value of the base. The base, 2, is greater than 1, so the function
y = abx is defined for represents exponential growth.
rational x-values. This
Step 2 Make a table of values.
should make sense from
your study of rational y
x −2 −1 0 1 2 3 8
(3, 8)
exponents. For instance,
1 1
in Example 1(a), when y —4 —2 1 2 4 8 6
x = —12, y = 2x
4
— Step 3 Plot the points from the table. (2, 4)
y = 21/2 = √2 ≈ 1.4. (−1, 12 ( 2
Step 4 Draw, from left to right, a smooth curve that
begins just above the x-axis, passes through (−2, 14 ( (0,(1,
1)
2)

the plotted points, and moves up to the right. −4 −2 2 4 x

b. Step 1 Identify the value of the base. The base, —12 , is greater than 0 and less than 1,
so the function represents exponential decay.
Step 2 Make a table of values.
y
x −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 (−3, 8)
8

1 1
y 8 4 2 1 —2 —4 6
( 12 (
x
y=
4
Step 3 Plot the points from the table. (−2, 4)
( 1, 12 (
Step 4 Draw, from right to left, a smooth curve that (−1, 2)
begins just above the x-axis, passes through (0, 1) (2, 14 (
the plotted points, and moves up to the left. −4 −2 2 4x

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Determine whether the function represents exponential growth or exponential

decay. Then graph the function.

1. y = 4x 2. y = —3 ()2 x

3. f (x) = (0.25)x 4. f (x) = (1.5)x

Writing Exponential Models and Recursive Rules

Some real-life quantities increase or decrease by a fixed percent each year (or some
other time period). The amount y of such a quantity after t years can be modeled by
one of these equations.
Exponential Growth Model Exponential Decay Model
y = a(1 + r)t y = a(1 − r)t
Note that a is the initial amount and r is the percent increase or decrease written as a
decimal. The quantity 1 + r is the growth factor, and 1 − r is the decay factor.

Section 1.6 Exponential Functions 43

 Writing an Exponential Model

The population of a country was about 6.09 million on January 1, 2000. The
population at the beginning of each subsequent year increased by about 1.18%.
a. Write an exponential growth model that represents the population y (in millions)
t years after January 1, 2000. Find and interpret the y-value when t = 7.5.
b. Estimate when the population was 7 million.

SOLUTION
a. The initial amount is a = 6.09, and the percent increase is r = 0.0118. So, the
exponential growth model is
y = a(1 + r)t Write exponential growth model.
= 6.09(1 + 0.0118)t Substitute 6.09 for a and 0.0118 for r.

X Y1 = 6.09(1.0118)t. Simplify.
11.4 6.9614
11.5 6.9696 Using this model, you can estimate the midyear population in 2007 (t = 7.5)
11.6 6.9778
11.7 6.9859 to be y = 6.09(1.0118)7.5 ≈ 6.65 million.
11.8 6.9941
11.9 7.0024
12 7.0106 b. Use the table feature of a graphing calculator to determine that y ≈ 7 when
X=11.9 t ≈ 11.9. So, the population was about 7 million near the end of 2011.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

5. WHAT IF? Assume the population increased by 1.5% each year. Write an equation
to model this situation. Estimate when the population was 7 million.

In real-life situations, you can also show exponential relationships using

recursive rules.
A recursive rule for an exponential function gives the initial value of the function
REMEMBER f (0), and a recursive equation that tells how a value f(n) is related to a preceding
value f (n − 1).
Recall that for a sequence,
a recursive rule gives the
beginning term(s) of the
sequence and a recursive Core Concept
equation that tells how Writing Recursive Rules for Exponential Functions
an is related to one or
more preceding terms. An exponential function of the form f (x) = ab x is written using a recursive rule
as follows.

⋅
Recursive Rule f (0) = a, f (n) = r f (n − 1)
where a ≠ 0, r is the common ratio, and n is a natural number
Example ⋅
y = 6(3)x can be written as f (0) = 6, f (n) = 3 f (n − 1)
initial value
common ratio

Notice that the base b of the exponential function is the common ratio r in the
recursive equation. Also, notice the value of a in the exponential function is
the initial value of the recursive rule.

44 Chapter 1 Functions and Exponents

 Writing a Recursive Rule for an Exponential
Function
Write a recursive rule for the function you wrote in Example 2.
STUDY TIP
Notice that the domain
SOLUTION
consists of the natural The function y = 6.09(1.0118)t is exponential with initial value f(0) = 6.09 and
numbers when written common ratio r = 1.0118. So, a recursive equation is
recursively.
⋅
f (n) = r f (n − 1) Recursive equation for exponential functions

⋅
= 1.0118 f (n − 1). Substitute 1.0118 for r.

A recursive rule for the exponential function is f (0) = 6.09,

⋅
f (n) = 1.0118 f (n − 1).

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Write an recursive rule for the exponential function.

6. f (x) = 4(7)x 7. y = 9 —3()

1 t

Rewriting Exponential Functions

Rewriting Exponential Functions

Rewrite each function to determine whether it represents exponential growth or

STUDY TIP exponential decay. Then identify the percent rate of change.
You can rewrite a. y = 100(0.96)t/4 b. f (t) = (1.1)t − 3
exponential expressions
and functions using the SOLUTION
properties of exponents. a. y = 100(0.96)t/4 Write the function.
Changing the form of
an exponential function = 100(0.961/4)t Power of a Power Property
can reveal important ≈ 100(0.99)t Evaluate the power.
attributes of the function.
So, the function represents exponential decay. Use the decay factor
1 − r ≈ 0.99 to find the rate of decay r ≈ 0.01, or about 1%.

b. f (t) = (1.1)t − 3 Write the function.

(1.1)t
= —3 Quotient of Powers Property
(1.1)
≈ 0.75(1.1)t Evaluate the power and simplify.
So, the function represents exponential growth. Use the growth factor
1 + r = 1.1 to find the rate of growth r = 0.1, or 10%.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Rewrite the function to determine whether it represents exponential growth or

exponential decay. Then identify the percent rate of change.

8. f (t) = 3(1.02)10t 9. y = (0.95) t + 2

Section 1.6 Exponential Functions 45

 Solving a Real-Life Problem

T value of a car is $21,500. It loses 12% of its value every year. (a) Write a function
The
that represents the value y (in dollars) of the car after t years. (b) Find the approximate
th
monthly percent decrease in value. (c) Graph the function from part (a). Use the graph
m
to estimate the value of the car after 6 years.

SOLUTION
S
11. Understand the Problem You know the value of the car and its annual percent
decrease in value. You are asked to write a function that represents the value of the
car over time and approximate the monthly percent decrease in value. Then graph
REASONING the function and use the graph to estimate the value of the car in the future.
QUANTITATIVELY 2. Make a Plan Use the initial amount and the annual percent decrease in value
The decay factor, 0.88, to write an exponential decay function. Note that the annual percent decrease
tells you what fraction of represents the rate of decay. Rewrite the function using the properties of exponents
the car’s value remains to approximate the monthly percent decrease (rate of decay). Then graph the
each year. The rate of original function and use the graph to estimate the y-value when the t-value is 6.
decay, 12%, tells you how 3. Solve the Problem
much value the car loses
a. The initial value is $21,500, and the rate of decay is 12%, or 0.12.
each year. In real life,
the percent decrease in y = a(1 − r)t Write exponential decay model.
value of an asset is the
= 21,500(1 − 0.12)t Substitute 21,500 for a and 0.12 for r.
depreciation rate.
= 21,500(0.88)t Simplify.
The value of the car can be represented by y = 21,500(0.88)t.
1
b. Use the fact that t = —
12
(12t) and the properties of exponents to rewrite the
function in a form that reveals the monthly rate of decay.
y = 21,500(0.88)t Write the original function.
= 21,500(0.88)(1/12)(12t) Rewrite the exponent.
Value of a Car = 21,500(0.881/12)12t Power of a Power Property
y
≈ 21,500(0.989)12t Evaluate the power.
y = 21,500(0.88)t
20,000
Use the decay factor 1 − r ≈ 0.989 to find the rate of decay r ≈ 0.011.
Value (dollars)

15,000 So, the monthly percent decrease is about 1.1%.

10,000 c. From the graph, you can see that the y-value is about 10,000 when t = 6.
5000 So, the value of the car is about $10,000 after 6 years.

0 4. Look Back To check that the monthly percent decrease is reasonable, multiply it
0 2 4 6 8 t
by 12 to see if it is close in value to the annual percent decrease of 12%.
Year
1.1% × 12 = 13.2% 13.2% is close to 12%, so 1.1% is reasonable.
When you evaluate y = 21,500(0.88)t for t = 6, you get about $9985. So, $10,000
is a reasonable estimation.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

10. WHAT IF? The car loses 9% of its value every year. (a) Write a function that
represents the value y (in dollars) of the car after t years. (b) Find the approximate
monthly percent decrease in value. (c) Graph the function from part (a). Use the
graph to estimate the value of the car after 12 years. Round your answer to the
nearest thousand.

46 Chapter 1 Functions and Exponents

 1.6 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. VOCABULARY In the exponential growth model y = 2.4(1.5)x, identify the initial amount, the
growth factor, and the percent increase.

2. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which characteristic of an exponential decay function

does not belong with the other three? Explain your reasoning.

base of 0.8 decay factor of 0.8

decay rate of 20% 80% decrease

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3–8, evaluate the expression for (a) x = −2 21. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The population of
and (b) x = 3. Austin, Texas, was about 494,000 at the beginning of
a decade. The population increased by about 3% each
3. 2x 4. 4x
year. (See Example 2.)
5. 8 3x⋅ 6. 6 ⋅2 x a. Write an exponential growth model that represents
the population y (in thousands) t years after the
7. 5 + 3x 8. 2x − 2 beginning of the decade. Find and interpret the
y-value when t = 10.
In Exercises 9–18, determine whether the function b. Estimate when the population was about 590,000.
represents exponential growth or exponential decay.
Then graph the function. (See Example 1.) 22. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS You take a
9. y = 6x 10. y = 7x 325 milligram dosage of ibuprofen. During each
subsequent hour, the amount of medication in your

() () bloodstream decreases by about 29% each hour.

x x
1 1
11. y = — 12. y = —
6 8 a. Write an exponential decay model giving the
amount y (in milligrams) of ibuprofen in your
y=( ) y=( )
x x
4 2 bloodstream t hours after the initial dose. Find and
13. — 14. —
3 5 interpret the y-value when t = 1.5.
15. y = (1.2)x 16. y = (0.75)x b. Estimate how long it takes for you to have
100 milligrams of ibuprofen in your bloodstream.
17. y = (0.6)x 18. y = (1.8)x
23. ERROR ANALYSIS You invest $500 in the stock of a
ANALYZING RELATIONSHIPS In Exercises 19 and 20, use company. The value of the stock decreases 2% each
the graph of f(x) = bx to identify the value of the base b. year. Describe and correct the error in writing a model
for the value of the stock after t years.
19. y 20. y
6 6

2
(1, 3)
4

2
(1, 5)
✗ y= ( amount ) ( factor )
Initial Decay
t

(−1, 13 ( (0, 1) (−1, 15 ( (0, 1)

y = 500(0.02)t
−2 2 4x −2 2 4x

Section 1.6 Exponential Functions 47

24. USING EQUATIONS Complete a table of values for 40. PROBLEM SOLVING The cross-sectional area of a
0 ≤ n ≤ 5 using the given recursive rule of an tree 4.5 feet from the ground is called its basal area.
exponential function. The table shows the basal areas (in square inches) of

⋅ Tree A over time.

f (0) = 4, f (n) = 3 f (n − 1)
Year 0 1 2 3 4
In Exercises 25–32, write a recursive rule for the
exponential function. (See Example 3.) Basal area 120 132 145.2 159.7 175.7
25. y = 3(7)x 26. y = 25(0.2)x

27. y = 12(0.5)t 28. y = 19(4)t

Tree B
Growth rate: 6%
1
29. g(x) = 0.5(3)x 30. m(t) = —3 (2)t Initial basal
area: 154 in.2
31. f(x) = 4 () 1 x
—6 32. f(t) = 0.25 () 2 t
—3

In Exercises 33–36, show that an exponential model

fits the data. Then write a recursive rule that models
the data.
33.
n 0 1 2 3 4 5
a. Write recursive rules that represent the basal areas
f (n) 0.75 1.5 3 6 12 24 of the trees after t years.
b. Which tree has a greater initial basal area?
34. a greater basal area growth rate? Use the recursive
n 0 1 2 3 4
rules you wrote in part (a) to justify your answers.
f (n) 2 8 32 128 512
c. Use a graph to represent the growth of the trees
over the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 10. Does the graph
35. support your answers in part (b)? Explain. Then
n 0 1 2 3 4 5
make an additional observation from the graph.
f (n) 96 48 24 12 6 3
In Exercises 41–44, determine whether the function
36. represents exponential growth or exponential decay.
n 0 1 2 3 4 5 Then identify the percent rate of change.
2
f (n) 162 54 18 6 2 —3
41. y = 5(0.6)t 42. y = 10(1.07)t

In Exercises 37 and 38, write an exponential function ()

43. f(t) = 200 —3
4 t
()
44. f(t) = 0.8 —4
1 t

for the recursive rule.

37. f(0) = 24, f(n) = 0.1 f(n − 1) ⋅ 45. PROBLEM SOLVING A website recorded the number
y of referrals it received from social media websites
38. f(0) =
1
—2 , f(n) = 5
—2 ⋅ f(n − 1) over a 10-year period. The results can be modeled by
y = 2500(1.50)t, where t is the year and 0 ≤ t ≤ 9.
39. PROBLEM SOLVING Describe a real-life situation that a. Describe the real-life meaning of 2500 and 1.50
can be represented by the graph. Write a recursive rule in the model.
that models the data. Then find and interpret f(6).
b. What is the annual percent increase? Explain.
f(n)
16
46. PROBLEM SOLVING The population p of a small
12 town after x years can be modeled by the function
p = 6850(0.97)x.
8
a. What is the annual percent decrease? Explain.
4
b. What is the average rate of change in the
population over the first 6 years? Justify
−4 −2 2 4 n your answer.

48 Chapter 1 Functions and Exponents

JUSTIFYING STEPS In Exercises 47 and 48, justify each 65. PROBLEM SOLVING A city has a population of
step in rewriting the exponential function. 25,000. The population is expected to increase by
5.5% annually for the next decade. (See Example 5.)
47. y = a(3)t/14 Write original function.
= a[(3)1/14]t
≈ a(1.0816)t
= a(1 + 0.0816)t

48. y = a(0.1)t/3 Write original function.

= a[(0.1)1/3]t
≈ a(0.4642)t a. Write a function that represents the population y
after t years.
= a(1 − 0.5358)t
b. Find the approximate monthly percent increase
In Exercises 49–56, rewrite the function to determine in population.
whether it represents exponential growth or exponential c. Graph the function from part (a). Use the graph to
decay. Then identify the percent rate of change. estimate the population after 4 years.
(See Example 4.)
49. y = (0.9)t − 4 50. y = (1.4)t + 8 66. PROBLEM SOLVING Plutonium-238 is a material
that generates steady heat due to decay and is used
51. y = 2(1.06)9t 52. y = 5(0.82)t/5 in power systems for some spacecraft. The function
y = a(0.5)t/x represents the amount y of a substance
53. x(t) = (1.45)t/2 54. f (t) = 0.4(1.16)t − 1 remaining after t years, where a is the initial amount
and x is the length of the half-life (in years).
55. b(t) = 4(0.55)t + 3 56. r(t) = (0.88)4t

In Exercises 57–62, rewrite the function in the form

y = a(1 + r) t or y = a(1 − r) t. Then state the growth or
decay rate.
57. y = a(2)t/3 58. y = a(0.5)t/12
Plutonium-238
59. y = a —3()2 t/10
60. y = a —4()
5 t/22
Half-life ≈ 88 years

61. y = a(2)8t 62. y = a (—)

1 3t
3
a. A scientist is studying a 3-gram sample. Write
63. PROBLEM SOLVING When a plant or animal dies, it a function that represents the amount y of
stops acquiring carbon-14 from the atmosphere. The plutonium-238 after t years.
amount y (in grams) of carbon-14 in the body of an b. What is the yearly percent decrease of
organism after t years is y = a(0.5)t/5730, where a is plutonium-238?
the initial amount (in grams). What percent of the
carbon-14 is released each year? c. Graph the function from part (a). Use the graph to
estimate the amount remaining after 12 years.
64. PROBLEM SOLVING The number y of duckweed
fronds in a pond after t days is y = a(1230.25)t/16, 67. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend says the graph
where a is the initial number of fronds. By what of f (x) = 2x increases at a faster rate than the graph of
percent does the duckweed increase each day? g (x) = 4x when x ≥ 0. Is your friend correct? Explain
your reasoning.
y g
8

0
0 2 4 x

Section 1.6 Exponential Functions 49

68. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? Consider the graph of an 71. REASONING Consider the exponential function
exponential function of the form f (x) = ab x. f (x) = ab x.
y f (x + 1)
a. Show that — = b.
f (x)
(−1, 4) b. Use the equation in part (a) to explain why there
is no exponential function of the form f (x) = ab x
(0, 1) (1, 14 ( whose graph passes through the points in the
table below.
(2, 161 ( x

x 0 1 2 3 4

a. Determine whether the graph of f represents y 4 4 8 24 72

exponential growth or exponential decay.
b. What are the domain and range of the function? 72. THOUGHT PROVOKING The function f (x) = b x
Explain. represents an exponential decay function. Write a
second exponential decay function in terms of b and x.

69. COMPARING FUNCTIONS The two given functions

describe the amount y of ibuprofen (in milligrams) in 73. PROBLEM SOLVING The number E of eggs a Leghorn
a person’s bloodstream t hours after taking the dosage. chicken produces per year can be modeled by the
equation E = 179.2(0.89)w/52, where w is the age
y ≈ 325(0.9943)60t y ≈ 325(0.843)2t (in weeks) of the chicken and w ≥ 22.
a. Show that these models are approximately
equivalent to the model you wrote in Exercise 22.
b. Describe the information given by each of
the models above.

70. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS The amount A in an

account after t years with principal P, annual interest
rate r (expressed as a decimal), and compounded
n times per year is given by
a. Identify the decay factor and the percent decrease.
(
r nt
A=P 1+— .
n ) b. Graph the model.
You deposit $1000 into three separate bank accounts c. Estimate the egg production of a chicken that is
that each pay 3% annual interest. For each account, 2.5 years old.

( )
r n
evaluate 1 + — . Interpret this quantity in the
n
d. Explain how you can rewrite the model so that
time is measured in years rather than in weeks.
context of the problem. Then complete the table.

Balance after 74. CRITICAL THINKING You buy a new stereo for $1300
Account Compounding and are able to sell it 4 years later for $275. Assume
1 year
that the resale value of the stereo decays exponentially
1 quarterly with time. Write an equation giving the resale value V
2 monthly (in dollars) of the stereo as a function of the time t (in
3 daily years) since you bought it.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Simplify the expression. (Skills Review Handbook)

75. x + 3x 76. 8y − 21y 77. 13z + 9 − 8z 78. −9w + w − 5

Simplify the expression. Write your answer using only positive exponents. (Section 1.4)

79. x−9 x2 ⋅ 80. —3

x4
x
81. (−6x)2 82. ( )
4x8
—6
2x
4

50 Chapter 1 Functions and Exponents