Lesson 6.

7
Modeling with Exponential
and Logarithmic Functions
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Warm-Up

Use technology to find an equation of the line of best fit for the data.

x 0 2 4 6 8 10

y 4 1 5 6 11 15

x 9 10 11 12 13 14

y 122.8 124.2 123.7 120.5 118.3 115.6

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Learning Target:
Write exponential and logarithmic functions to model sets of data.

Success Criteria:
• I can use a common ratio to determine whether data can be represented by an
exponential function.
• I can write an exponential function using two points.
• I can use technology to find exponential models and logarithmic models for sets
of data.

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 Explore It! Writing Exponential Functions
Work with a partner. In parts (a) and (b), the graph of a function of the form
f(x) = abx is shown.
a. Write an exponential function b. Write an exponential function
that passes through the points. that passes through the points.
Explain your reasoning. Explain your reasoning.
Compare your methods with
CONSTRUCT AN those of your classmates.
ARGUMENT
Do two points
always determine an

the form f(a) = abx?

exponential function of

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Explore It! Writing Exponential Functions
Work with a partner.
c. A function f is of the form f(x) = abx, where a is a real number and
b > 0. Can you find the values of a and b so that f passes through the
points (0, 4) and (2, −2)? Explain your reasoning.

d. You perform an experiment where you measure the temperature T (in

degrees Fahrenheit) of coffee m minutes after it is poured into a cup.
The temperature of the coffee is initially 185F. After 5 minutes, the

form y = abx to model this situation? Explain. If not, sketch a graph that
temperature of the coffee is about 150F. Can you use a model of the

could model the temperature of the coffee over time. Make several
observations about your graph.

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Choosing Functions to Model Data
You have analyzed finite differences of data with equally spaced inputs to
determine what type of polynomial function can be used to model the data.
To determine whether an exponential function can be used to model the
data, the outputs must be multiplied by a constant factor. So, consecutive
outputs form equivalent ratios.

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Example 1 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions
Determine the type of function represented by each table.
a. x 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
y 0.5 1 2 4 8 16 32

b. x 8 6 4 2 0 2 4
y 1 8 7 2 1 4 23

SOLUTION
a. The inputs are equally spaced.

x 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
y 0.5 1 2 4 8 16 32

2 2 2 2 2 2
As x increases by 1, y is multiplied by 2. So, the common ratio is 2,
and the data represent an exponential function.
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 Example 1 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions

b. The inputs are equally spaced. The outputs do not have a common ratio.
So, analyze the finite differences.

x 8 2 0 2 4
y 1 8 7 2 1 4 23

9 1 5 3 5 19 first differences
First differences of linear
functions are constant,
second differences of 10 4 2 8 14 second differences
quadratic functions are
constant, and so on. 6 6 6 6 third differences

The third differences are nonzero and constant. So, the data
represent a cubic function.

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1. Given a table of values, explain how you can determine whether an exponential function
can be used to model the data.

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Determine the type of function represented by the table. Explain your reasoning.

2. 3.
x 0 10 20 30 x 0 2 4 6

y 15 12 9 6 y 27 9 3 1

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 Example 2 Writing an Exponential Function Using Two Points
Write an exponential function y abx represented by the graph.
SOLUTION
Step 1 Substitute the coordinates of the two given points into y abx.
6 ab1 Equation 1: Substitute 6 for y and 1 for x.
54 ab3 Equation 2: Substitute 54 for y and 3 for x.
Step 2 Solve for a in Equation 1 to obtain a and substitute this expression for a
in Equation 2.

54 b3 Substitute for a in Equation 2.

By the definition of an 54 6b2 Simplify.

exponential function,

Take the positive square root because b >

b must be positive. 9 b2 Divide each side by 6.
3 b
Step 3 Substitute 3 for b to determine0.that a 2.

So, the exponential function is y 2(3)x.

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Data do not always show an exact exponential relationship. When the
data in a scatter plot show an approximately exponential relationship,
you can model the data with an exponential function.

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Example 3 Finding an Exponential Model
The table shows the numbers y (in thousands) of people who visit Machu
Picchu x years after 1990. Write a function that models the data.
Years after 1990, x 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
Number of visitors, y 150 210 360 470 700 700 1150 1580
SOLUTION
Step 1 Make a scatter plot of the data.
The data appear exponential.
Step 2 Choose any two points to write a function,
such as (0, 150) and (20, 700). Substitute the
coordinates of these two points into y abx.
150 ab0
700 ab20
The first equation shows that a 150.

equation to obtain b = 1.08.

Substitute 150 for a in the second

So, an exponential function that models the data is y 150(1.08)x.

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A set of more than two points (x, y) fits an exponential pattern if and only
if the set of transformed points (x, ln y) fits a linear pattern.

Graph of points (x, y) Graph of points (x, ln y)

The graph is an exponential curve. The graph is a line.

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Example 4 Writing a Model Using Transformed Points
The table shows the numbers y (in thousands) of people who visit Machu Picchu x
years after 1990. Create a scatter plot of the data pairs (x, ln y) to show that an
exponential model should be a good fit for the original data pairs (x, y). Find an
equation of the line of best fit for the transformed scatter plot and interpret the
slope and y-intercept of the graph.
Years after 1990, x 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
Number of visitors, y 150 210 360 470 700 700 1150 1580

SOLUTION
Step 1 Use technology to create a table of data pairs (x, ln y).
x 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
ln y 5.01 5.35 5.89 6.15 6.55 6.55 7.05 7.37

Step 2 Plot the transformed points as shown. The

points lie close to a line, so an exponential
model should be a good fit for the original data.

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 Example 4 Writing a Model Using Transformed Points
Step 2 Plot the transformed points as shown. The
points lie close to a line, so an exponential
model should be a good fit for the original data.

Step 3 Use technology to perform a linear regression.

The model is ln y 0.08x 5.1.

The slope of the line is 0.08, which indicates that

each year, the natural log of the number (in
REFLECT ON thousands) of visitors increases by about 0.08. The
YOUR METHOD y-intercept is 5.1, which indicates that in 1990, the
Technology gives the natural log of the number (in thousands) of visitors
equation of the line of best
was about 5.1.
fit in the form y mx b.
Explain why you can rewrite
the equation in the form
ln y mx b in Step 3.

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4. Write an exponential function y = abx represented by a graph.

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5. A store sells gaming laptops. The table shows the numbers y of gaming laptops sold
during the xth month that the store has been open. Repeat Examples 3 and 4 using
these data.

Month, x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Number of gaming laptops, y 12 16 25 36 50 67 96

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Using Technology
You can use technology to find models for exponential and logarithmic data.

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Example 5 Finding an Exponential Model
The table shows the numbers y (in thousands) of people who visit Machu Picchu x years after 1990.
Use technology to find an exponential model for the data. Then use this model and the models in
Example 3 and 4 to estimate the number of visitors in 2022. Compare the estimates.
Years after 1990, x 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
Number of visitors, y 150 210 360 470 700 700 1150 1580
SOLUTION
Use technology to enter the data and perform an exponential
regression. The model is y 163.73(1.08)x.
Substitute x 32 into each model to estimate the number of visitors in 2022.
Example 3: y 150(1.08)32 1761
Example 4: ln y 0.08(32) 5.1 Substitute 32 for x.
ln y 7.66 Simplify.
y 2122 Exponentiate each side using base e.
Exponential regression model: y 163.73(1.08)32 1922
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 Example 5 Finding an Exponential Model

Example 3: y 150(1.08)32 1761

Example 4: ln y 0.08(32) 5.1 Substitute 32 for x.

ln y 7.66 Simplify.
y 2122 Exponentiate each side using base e.

Exponential regression model: y 163.73(1.08)32 1922

COMPARE
METHODS
Compare the The estimate for the model in Example 4 is about 200 greater than the
estimates for the
estimate for the exponential regression model. The estimate for the
models when the
values in the exponential regression model is about 161 greater than the estimate for
regression models the model in Example 3.
are not rounded.

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 Example 6 Finding a Logarithmic Model
The atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude. At sea level, the
average air pressure is 1 atmosphere (1.033227 kilograms per square
centimeter). The table shows the air pressures p (in atmospheres) at several
altitudes h (in kilometers). Use technology to find a logarithmic model of the
form h a b ln p that represents the data. Estimate the altitude when the
pressure is 0.75 atmosphere.
Air pressure, p 1 0.55 0.25 0.12 0.06 0.02
Altitude, h 0 5 10 15 20 25
SOLUTION
Weather balloons
carry instruments that Use technology to enter the data and perform
send back information a logarithmic regression. The model is
such as wind speed, h 0.86 6.45 ln p.
temperature, and air
pressure. Substitute p 0.75 into the model to obtain
h 0.86 6.45 ln 0.75 2.7.
So, when the air pressure is 0.75 atmosphere, the altitude is
about 2.7 kilometers.
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6. Use technology to find an exponential model for the data in Exercise 5. Then use this
model and the models you found in Exercise 5 to predict the number of gaming laptops
sold during the eighth month. Compare the predictions.

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7. Use technology to find a logarithmic model of the form p = a + b ln h for the data in
Example 6. Explain why the result is an error message.

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 In-Class
Mini-Assessment
Practice

1. Determine the type of function represented by the table. Explain your reasoning.
x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
Year, x Number of bikes, y
y 2 6 18 54 162
1 40
2. A store sells bikes. The table shows the numbers y of bikes sold 2 62
during the xth year that the store has been open. 3 103
4 160
a. Write a function that models the data. 5 256
b. Use the data pairs (x, ln y) to write an 6 409
exponential model for the original data. 7 674
c. Use technology to find an exponential model
for the data in the table. Then use the model to predict the number of bikes sold in the eighth year.

model of the form h = a + b ln t that represents the data. Estimate the height when the tree was 7 years old.
3. The table shows the heights h (in feet) of a tree at several ages t (in years). Use technology to find a logarithmic

Age, x 1 3 5 9 11 13
Height, h 3.5 11 15.5 22 24 24.75

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