Title Exponential Function Wiki

Identify an exponential function, determine the characteristics of its

Objectives
graph, and discover examples of real-life exponential models.
Tools Scratch paper, pen and calculator.

1. Read the wiki Exponential Function very carefully. This will give you the
characteristics of exponential functions and their applications on real-life.

2. Circle or list down the word/s that is/are not familiar with you. Look for their definitions
in a dictionary or their synonyms in a thesaurus.

3. To help you understand what you are reading, answer the following questions.
a. What are exponential functions?
b. What are the characteristics of an exponential function?
c. What are the important terms related to exponential functions?
d. How do you graph an exponential function?

4. Answer the questions above in two to three sentences. Write your answers in your
notebook.

Definition

An exponential function is a function of the form

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 ,

where a > 0 and x are real numbers.

That is, an exponential function is a function, wherein the terms have a positive
base raised to a real number exponent.

Want to know how old a tree is? An exponential function can help. Cooling down
your boiling hot coffee? An exponential function can tell you how long you should wait
before taking a sip.

Real-life phenomena involving rapid growth and decay can be modeled by an

exponential function. Understanding exponential functions can help solve problems such
as how much should we invest for our money to double in a period of time.
 The human population grows exponentially and if you’ve ever been invited to join
a networking system, know that exponential functions are also in place there.

Above are examples of graphs of exponential function. Take note of the steep yet
smooth curve of the graph.

Characteristics of Exponential Function

𝑥
An exponential function is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 , where a is positive
greater than one has the following characteristics.

Domain The domain is the set of real numbers.

Range The range is the set of real numbers greater than 0.

y-intercept It has a y-intercept of (0, 1).

x-intercept There is no x-intercept.

Behavior The graph is increasing.

𝑥
The exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 , where 0 < a < 1, has the same set of
characteristics listed above, except for the behavior.
 One such unique characteristic is the horizontal asymptote. Consider the table of
values below:

x -1 -2 -5 -10 -50 -100

𝑥 0.5 0.25 0.03125 0.000976 −16 −31
2 8. 9(10) 7. 9(10)

Notice that as x decreases, the value of 2 becomes closer and closer to 0.

However, it can never be equal to or less than 0 because the base is a positive number.

So even if x decreases infinitely, the values of the function will approach 0, but will
never be equal to 0. This characteristic is defined by a line that part of the graph
approaches, but never intersects. This is called the horizontal asymptote.

Definitions

If, as x approaches positive or negative infinity, 𝑓(𝑥)approaches the real

number L, then the line 𝑦 = 𝐿is a horizontal asymptote of f.

Let us visualize this definition using a graph.

From the above illustration, we can see that the horizontal asymptote of the
𝑥
function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 , a > 1, is the line 𝑦 = 0.

Although it may seem like both graphs above are touching the line of asymptote
which is 𝑦 = 0, when zoomed in, it is not.
Find the y-intercept and horizontal asymptote of the following functions.
𝑥
a. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3 − 2
2𝑥+1
b. ℎ(𝑥) = 4 +5

Solution:

To find the y-intercept, we let 𝑥 = 0.

𝑥 2𝑥+1
a. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3 − 2 b. ℎ(𝑥) = 4 +5
0 2𝑥+1
𝑦 =3 − 2 𝑦 =4 +5
𝑦=1−2 2(0)+1
𝑦 =4 +5
𝑦 =− 1 1
𝑦 =4 + 5
𝑦=9
The y-intercept of 𝑔(𝑥) is (0, − 1).
The y-intercept of ℎ(𝑥) is (0, 9).
𝑥
To find the horizontal asymptote, consider the parent function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 for the first
function. The horizontal asymptote of 𝑓 is the x-axis, or the line 𝑦 = 0.

For any value of x, the corresponding y value of 𝑔 is 2 less than the value of 𝑓. In effect, we
can think of the entire graph of f being moved 2 units down. So the horizontal asymptote
of g is the line 𝑦 =− 2.

This follows that the horizontal asymptote of ℎ(𝑥) is 𝑦 = 5.

Solving for Zeros of Exponential Functions

Just like for other functions, the zero of an exponential function is the value of x
that will make the function value 0. To get the zeroes of an exponential function requires
knowledge of a special characteristic of this function--being one-to-one.

Definitions

A function f is a one-to-one function if and only if 𝑓(𝑚) = 𝑓(𝑛) implies 𝑚 = 𝑛.

In other words, a function is one-to-one if every value of y corresponds to only one

value of x.

For an exponential function, the variable appears in the exponent.

One-to-one Property of Exponents

𝑚 𝑛
Therefore, if 𝑎 =𝑎 , then 𝑚 = 𝑛.
 Let us see this property at work with some examples below.

Solve for the zeros of the following functions below.

3𝑥+1
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 − 256
3𝑥−2
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 − 625
2−5𝑥
c. ℎ(𝑥) = 3 − 243
𝑥+2
d. 𝑗(𝑥) = 81 − 1024

Solutions:

To solve for zero, we equate the function to zero and solve for x afterwards.
3𝑥+1 2−5𝑥
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 − 256 c. ℎ(𝑥) = 3 − 243
3𝑥+1 2−5𝑥
0 =4 − 256 0 =3 − 243
3𝑥+1 2−5𝑥
0 + 256 = 4 0 + 243 = 3
3𝑥+1 2−5𝑥
256 = 4 243 = 3
4 3𝑥+1 5 2−5𝑥
4 =4 3 =3
4 = 3𝑥 + 1 5 = 2 − 5𝑥
4 − 1 = 3𝑥 5 − 2 =− 5𝑥
3 = 3𝑥 3 =− 5𝑥
3𝑥 = 3 − 5𝑥 = 3
3𝑥 3 −5𝑥 3
= =
3 3 −5 −5

𝑥=1 3
𝑥 =−
5

3𝑥−2 𝑥+2
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 − 625 d. 𝑗(𝑥) = 128 − 1024
𝑥+2
0 =5
3𝑥−2
− 625 0 = 128 − 1024
𝑥+2
0 + 625 = 5
3𝑥−2 0 + 1024 = 128
𝑥+2
625 = 5
3𝑥−2 1024 = 128
10 7(𝑥+2)
4
5 =5
3𝑥−2 2 =2

4 = 3𝑥 − 2 10 = 7(𝑥 + 2)

4 + 2 = 3𝑥 10 = 7𝑥 + 14

6 = 3𝑥 10 − 14 = 7𝑥

3𝑥 = 6 − 4 = 7𝑥

3𝑥 6 7𝑥 =− 4
=
3 3 7𝑥 −4
=
7 7
𝑥=2
4
𝑥 =−
7

The one-to-one characteristic of an exponential function is also applied in solving

exponential equations.
 𝑥+5 3𝑥−1
Find the solution set of the equation 16(4 ) =2 .

Solution:

When solving exponential equations, the goal is always to express both sides of the
equation with the same base. In this case, a possible common base to use is 2.

𝑥+5 3𝑥−1 Write the given

16(4 ) =2

4 2(𝑥+5) 3𝑥−1 Express 16 and 4 in base 2

2 (2 ) =2

4 2𝑥+10 3𝑥−1 Multiply 2 to 𝑥 + 5

2 (2 ) =2

2𝑥+10+4 3𝑥−1 Apply the product law of exponent

2 =2

2𝑥+14 3𝑥−1 Simplify

2 =2

2𝑥 + 14 = 3𝑥 − 1 Apply the one-to-one property of exponent

2𝑥 − 3𝑥 =− 1 − 14 Apply addition property of equality

− 𝑥 =− 15 Simplify

𝑥 = 15 Multiply both sides by -1.

Looking for a challenge? Read on to the next example.

𝑥 𝑥
Find the solution set of the equation 4 + 2 − 6 = 0.

Solution:
𝑥 2 𝑥 𝑥 2
Using the Laws of Exponents, we know that 4 = (2 ) = (2 ) .

𝑥 2
Let 𝑎 = 2 . Then the original equation can be written as 𝑎 + 𝑎 − 6 = 0. In its quadratic
form, this equation can be solved by factoring.
2
𝑎 +𝑎−6=0
(𝑎 + 3)(𝑎 − 2) = 0
(𝑎 + 3) = 0 (𝑎 − 2) = 0
𝑎 =− 3 𝑎=2

𝑥
But keep in mind that we’re solving for x not a. So we still need to change 𝑎 into 2 .

𝑎 =− 3 𝑎=2
𝑥 𝑥
2 =− 3 2 =2
𝑥 1
2 =2
𝑥=1
Since -3 is not in the range of exponential function, the first solution can’t be solved
therefore leaving us with only one zero/solution which is 1.

Applications of Exponential Functions

Solving exponential equations also makes it possible to analyze real-life models

of an exponential function.

Here’s a simple but accurate example of application of exponential function.

One Monday morning, Karen read about a rumor about a local celebrity. Within the day,
she told 5 friends about the rumor.

On Tuesday, each of her friends told 5 other people who have not yet heard the rumor.
On Wednesday, each of the 5 people told 5 other people, and so on. If there are 15, 625
people in Karen’s town, how many days will it take for everyone to hear the rumor?

Solution:

Consider the table of values below for the first three days of spreading the rumor.

Number of days 1 2 3

Number of people 5 5(5) 5(5)(5)

If 𝑑 is the number of days and 𝑁 is the number of people who have heard the rumor, then
𝑑
the function that describes the situation is 𝑁(𝑑) = 5 .

There are 15, 625 people in town, it can be expressed with base 5. You may use your
calculator for help
𝑑 So 𝑑 = 6. It would take 6 days for everyone in
𝑁(𝑑) = 5
𝑑 town to hear the news. Perhaps it’s true that
15625 = 5
6 𝑑
rumor spreads like wildfire!
5 =5
6=𝑑
𝑑=6
 ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Exponential Growth: How Folding Paper Can Get You to the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmFMJC45f1Q

Exponential growth functions | Exponential and logarithmic functions | Algebra II | Khan

Academy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMZ7J0wwMI

Exponential Function Reference

https://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/function-exponential.html

Introduction to Exponential Functions - Nerdstudy

https://youtu.be/nqpn0SQB5ds?t=7
 CITED SOURCES

Larson, R., & Falvo, D. C. (2014). College algebra. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

Wiki: Exponential Functions. (2017, May 2). Pre-Calculus. Resource Guide - Ayala
Education.

Hohenwarter, M. (2002). GeoGebra - ein Softwaresystem für dynamische Geometrie und

Algebra der Ebene.