Mathematician___________________________________________________ Date __________
In everyday language, the phrase “exponential growth” is sometimes used casually to refer to any kind
of rapid growth, but in mathematics, there is a much more precise definition.
1. Only one of the functions below is actually exponential – can you tell which?
[Hint: The other is quadratic.]
x y
x y
1 12
1 6
2 18
2 16
3 27
3 30
4 40.5
4 48
5 60.75
5 70
An exponential function is a function of the form f (x) = Ca .
x
The base a is called the growth factor, and because f (0) = Ca = C , we call C the initial value.
0
For an (exact) exponential function, consecutive y-values have a constant ratio. This ratio is equal to
the growth factor a.
2. Use the constant ratio property to verify that each of the functions below is exponential. Then find
an equation for the function.
(a)
x g(x)
-‐2
4/9
-‐1
4/3
0
4
1
12
2
36
(b)
x
h(x)
-‐2
128
-‐1
32
0
8
1
2
2
1/2
3. (a) Make a table of values and graph the function f (x) = 2 .
x
x
y = 2 x
-‐2
-‐1
0
1
2
3
(b) Make tables for g(x) = 0.5 and h(x) = 3
x x
and graph them on the same set of axes.
x
y = 0.5 x
x
y = 3x
-‐3
-‐2
-‐2
-‐1
-‐1
0
0
1
1
2
2
Use your graphs from Question 3 to complete the table.
Characteristics of Graphs of y = a x
a > 1
0 < a < 1
Domain
Range
y-intercept
Horizontal asymptote
Vertical asymptote
4. What is the visual relationship between the graphs of f (x) = 2 and g(x) = 0.5 ?
x x
Can you think of an algebraic reason why this is the case?
5. Describe how to transform the graph of y = 2 into each of the following. Give the domain,
x
range, and the equation of any asymptote(s).
(a)
y = !2 x !1
(b)
y = 2 ! x + 4
(c)
y = 3 ! 2 2 x
For many applications, we use a base which is an irrational number called e. (It’s a little hard to
explain the significance of this number without calculus, but as you go farther in math, you will start
to see e used more and more as a base for exponential (and log) functions.) Your calculator has a
built-in e x button.
6. (a) Use your calculator to graph y = 2 x , y = 3x , and y = e x on the same set of axes. Compare the
graph of y = e x to the other two graphs. What does this tell you about the value of e?
(b) Find the value of e to 5 decimal places.
7. Solving Exponential Equations- Remember that when two exponential expressions with the same
are equal, then their exponents are equal. ( If a = a , then u = v. )
u v
(a) Solve 3
x+1
= 81 . You can check it graphically using your GDC>
! x+2 x 2 1
(b) Solve e = (e ) i 3 . ( Hint- first get the base e on the right side)
e
AFL Check-IN
x 2 + 3x !10
1) SOLVE the inequality. x 2 ! 6x + 9 < 0
f (x) = x 3 and g(x) = x 2 ! x +1
2) GIVEN ,
f !g
(a) FIND
g! f
(b) FIND
f
(c) FIND g
(d) FIND the domain for each composite function above.
3) DETERMINE if g is an inverse of f
f (x) = 2 ! (x +1)3 g(x) = 3 3 ! x !1
5 ! 3x f !1
4) GIVEN f (x) =
7 ! 4x , find
5) How are the x and y intercepts of a function and its inverse related?
6) The number, q, of CD players a retail chain is willing to supply at a price of $p is given
900 p
approximately by q = s( p) = p + 20 , 10 ! p ! 70
FIND the range of s
