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5. Exponential Functions

This document covers exponential functions, their evaluation, graphing, and applications, particularly in modeling real-life scenarios like compound interest. It emphasizes the natural base e and provides examples for evaluating and graphing exponential functions. The document also includes practical applications of exponential functions in finance, demonstrating how to calculate compound interest.

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Jona Rances Gregorio
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0 views23 pages

5. Exponential Functions

This document covers exponential functions, their evaluation, graphing, and applications, particularly in modeling real-life scenarios like compound interest. It emphasizes the natural base e and provides examples for evaluating and graphing exponential functions. The document also includes practical applications of exponential functions in finance, demonstrating how to calculate compound interest.

Uploaded by

Jona Rances Gregorio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exponential Functions

3.1 and Their Graphs


What You Should Learn

 Recognize and evaluate


exponential functions with base a.

 Graph exponential functions with


base a.

 Recognize, evaluate, and graph


exponential functions with base e.

 Use exponential functions to


model and solve real-life problems.
Exponential Functions
Exponential Functions

In this chapter you will study two types of


nonalgebraic functions—exponential functions and
logarithmic functions.
Exponential Functions

Note that in the definition of an exponential function,


the base a = 1 is excluded because it yields
Constant function

f (x) = 1x = 1.

This is a constant function, not an exponential


function.
Example 1 – Evaluating
Exponential Functions

Try this on your calculator, but do not write it down.

Use a calculator to evaluate each function at the indicated value


of x.

Function Value
a. f (x) = 2x x = –3.1

b. f (x) = 2 –x x=

c. f (x) = 0.6x x=

d. f (x) = 1.052x x = 12
Example 1 – Solution
Graphs of Exponential Functions
Graphs of Exponential
Functions
The graphs of all exponential functions have similar
characteristics, as shown in Example 2 on the next
slide.
Example 2 – Graphs of y =
ax

In the same coordinate plane, sketch the graph of


each function by hand.

a. f (x) = 2x b. g (x) = 4x

Solution:
The table below lists some values
for each function. By plotting these
points and connecting them with
smooth curves, you obtain the
graphs shown in Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1
Example 2 – Solution cont’d

Note that both graphs are increasing. Moreover, the


graph of g (x) = 4x is increasing more rapidly than the
graph of
f (x) = 2x . You can tell if you compare the y values in
the table below.
Graphs of Exponential
Functions

Graph of f (x) = ax , a > 1 Graph of f (x) = a –x , a


>1

Domain:( , ) Domain:( , )

Range :(0 , ) Range :(0 , )

Intercept :(0 ,1) Intercept :(0 ,1)

Increasing on :( , ) Increasing on :( , )
The Natural Base e
The Natural Base e

For many applications, the convenient choice for a base


is the irrational number

e = 2.718281828 . . . .

This number is called the natural


base. The function

f (x) = ex

is called the natural exponential


function and its graph is shown
in Figure 3.9.
The Natural Exponential Function

Figure 3.9
Example 6 – Evaluating the Natural
Exponential Functions

Use a calculator to evaluate the function

f (x) = ex

at each indicated value of x.


a. x = –2

b. x = 0.25

c. x = –0.4

d. x =
Do this on your calculator, but do not write it down.
Example 6 – Solution
Applications
Applications
One of the most familiar examples of exponential growth is an
investment earning continuously compounded interest.

To accommodate quarterly, monthly, or daily compounding of


interest, let n be the number of compounding per year and let t be
the number of years.
(The product nt represents the total number of times the interest will
be compounded.)
Applications

Then the interest rate per compounding period is rn and the account
balance after t years is

Amount (balance) with n


compoundings per year

When the number of compoundings n increases without bound, the


process approaches what is called continuous compounding. In
the formula for n compoundings per year, let m = nr . This produces
Applications
As m increases without bound, we have

approaches e. So, for continuous compounding, it follows that

and you can write A = pert. This result is part of the reason that e is
the “natural” choice for a base of an exponential function.
Applications
Example 8 – Finding the Balance for Compound
Interest
A total of $9000 is invested at an annual interest rate of 2.5%,
compounded annually. Find the balance in the account after 5 years.

Solution:
In this case,
P = 9000, r =2.5% = 0.025, n = 1, t = 5.

Using the formula for compound interest with compoundings per


year, you have

Formula for compound interest


Example 8 – Solution cont’d

Substitute for P, r, n, and t.

= 9000(1.025)5 Simplify.

 $10,182.67. Use a calculator.

So, the balance in the account after 5 years will be about


$10,182.67.

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