Great! Let’s break down the exponential function — one of the most important functions in math.

What is an Exponential Function?

An exponential function is any function of the form:

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x

Where:

• aa ≠ 0 → the initial value (starting amount)

• bb > 0, b≠1b \ne 1 → the base (growth or decay factor)

• xx is the exponent → the independent variable

Behavior Based on Base bb

Type Condition Behavior Example

Exponential Increases rapidly as xx

b>1b > 1 f(x)=2xf(x) = 2^x
Growth increases

Exponential 0<b<10 < b < Decreases rapidly as xx f(x)=(12)xf(x) =

Decay 1 increases \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

Graph of Exponential Function

• Always passes through (0, a) because b0=1b^0 = 1

• Never touches the x-axis → horizontal asymptote at y=0y = 0

• If a>0a > 0: graph is above x-axis

• If a<0a < 0: graph is below x-axis (reflected)

Example 1:

f(x)=3⋅2xf(x) = 3 \cdot 2^x

• a=3a = 3, b=2b = 2

• Growth (since b>1b > 1)

• Starts at 3 and rises rapidly

 Example 2:

f(x)=5⋅(12)xf(x) = 5 \cdot \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

• a=5a = 5, b=12b = \frac{1}{2}

• Decay (since 0<b<10 < b < 1)

• Starts at 5 and decreases

Summary Table:

Element Description

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x General exponential form

aa Initial value (y-intercept)

bb Base (growth if b>1b > 1, decay if 0<b<10 < b < 1)

Domain All real numbers (−∞,∞)(-\infty, \infty)

Range (0,∞)(0, \infty) if a>0a > 0

Horizontal Asymptote y=0y = 0

Would you like to explore how to solve exponential equations or graph them?

Great! Let’s break down the exponential function — one of the most important functions in math.

What is an Exponential Function?

An exponential function is any function of the form:

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x

Where:

• aa ≠ 0 → the initial value (starting amount)

• bb > 0, b≠1b \ne 1 → the base (growth or decay factor)

• xx is the exponent → the independent variable

 Behavior Based on Base bb

Type Condition Behavior Example

Exponential Increases rapidly as xx

b>1b > 1 f(x)=2xf(x) = 2^x
Growth increases

Exponential 0<b<10 < b < Decreases rapidly as xx f(x)=(12)xf(x) =

Decay 1 increases \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

Graph of Exponential Function

• Always passes through (0, a) because b0=1b^0 = 1

• Never touches the x-axis → horizontal asymptote at y=0y = 0

• If a>0a > 0: graph is above x-axis

• If a<0a < 0: graph is below x-axis (reflected)

Example 1:

f(x)=3⋅2xf(x) = 3 \cdot 2^x

• a=3a = 3, b=2b = 2

• Growth (since b>1b > 1)

• Starts at 3 and rises rapidly

Example 2:

f(x)=5⋅(12)xf(x) = 5 \cdot \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

• a=5a = 5, b=12b = \frac{1}{2}

• Decay (since 0<b<10 < b < 1)

• Starts at 5 and decreases

Summary Table:

Element Description

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x General exponential form

Element Description

aa Initial value (y-intercept)

bb Base (growth if b>1b > 1, decay if 0<b<10 < b < 1)

Domain All real numbers (−∞,∞)(-\infty, \infty)

Range (0,∞)(0, \infty) if a>0a > 0

Horizontal Asymptote y=0y = 0

Would you like to explore how to solve exponential equations or graph them?

Great! Let’s break down the exponential function — one of the most important functions in math.

What is an Exponential Function?

An exponential function is any function of the form:

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x

Where:

• aa ≠ 0 → the initial value (starting amount)

• bb > 0, b≠1b \ne 1 → the base (growth or decay factor)

• xx is the exponent → the independent variable

Behavior Based on Base bb

Type Condition Behavior Example

Exponential Increases rapidly as xx

b>1b > 1 f(x)=2xf(x) = 2^x
Growth increases

Exponential 0<b<10 < b < Decreases rapidly as xx f(x)=(12)xf(x) =

Decay 1 increases \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

Graph of Exponential Function

• Always passes through (0, a) because b0=1b^0 = 1

 • Never touches the x-axis → horizontal asymptote at y=0y = 0

• If a>0a > 0: graph is above x-axis

• If a<0a < 0: graph is below x-axis (reflected)

Example 1:

f(x)=3⋅2xf(x) = 3 \cdot 2^x

• a=3a = 3, b=2b = 2

• Growth (since b>1b > 1)

• Starts at 3 and rises rapidly

Example 2:

f(x)=5⋅(12)xf(x) = 5 \cdot \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

• a=5a = 5, b=12b = \frac{1}{2}

• Decay (since 0<b<10 < b < 1)

• Starts at 5 and decreases

Summary Table:

Element Description

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x General exponential form

aa Initial value (y-intercept)

bb Base (growth if b>1b > 1, decay if 0<b<10 < b < 1)

Domain All real numbers (−∞,∞)(-\infty, \infty)

Range (0,∞)(0, \infty) if a>0a > 0

Horizontal Asymptote y=0y = 0

Would you like to explore how to solve exponential equations or graph them?
Great! Let’s break down the exponential function — one of the most important functions in math.

What is an Exponential Function?

An exponential function is any function of the form:

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x

Where:

• aa ≠ 0 → the initial value (starting amount)

• bb > 0, b≠1b \ne 1 → the base (growth or decay factor)

• xx is the exponent → the independent variable

Behavior Based on Base bb

Type Condition Behavior Example

Exponential Increases rapidly as xx

b>1b > 1 f(x)=2xf(x) = 2^x
Growth increases

Exponential 0<b<10 < b < Decreases rapidly as xx f(x)=(12)xf(x) =

Decay 1 increases \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

Graph of Exponential Function

• Always passes through (0, a) because b0=1b^0 = 1

• Never touches the x-axis → horizontal asymptote at y=0y = 0

• If a>0a > 0: graph is above x-axis

• If a<0a < 0: graph is below x-axis (reflected)

Example 1:

f(x)=3⋅2xf(x) = 3 \cdot 2^x

• a=3a = 3, b=2b = 2

• Growth (since b>1b > 1)

• Starts at 3 and rises rapidly

 Example 2:

f(x)=5⋅(12)xf(x) = 5 \cdot \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^x

• a=5a = 5, b=12b = \frac{1}{2}

• Decay (since 0<b<10 < b < 1)

• Starts at 5 and decreases

Summary Table:

Element Description

f(x)=a⋅bxf(x) = a \cdot b^x General exponential form

aa Initial value (y-intercept)

bb Base (growth if b>1b > 1, decay if 0<b<10 < b < 1)

Domain All real numbers (−∞,∞)(-\infty, \infty)

Range (0,∞)(0, \infty) if a>0a > 0

Horizontal Asymptote y=0y = 0

Would you like to explore how to solve exponential equations or graph them?