Exponential
Functions
Lets compare Linear Functions
and Exponential Functions
Linear Function
Exponential Function
Change at a constant rate
Rate of change (slope) is a constant
Change at a changing rate
Change at a constant percent rate
Suppose you have a choice of two
different jobs when you graduate
college:
o Start at $30,000 with a 6%
per year increase
o Start at $40,000 with
$1200 per year raise
Which should you choose?
Which Job?
When is Option A better?
When is Option B better?
Rate of increase changing
Percent of increase is a
constant
Ratio of successive years is
1.06
Rate of increase a
constant $1200
Year
Option A
Option B
$30,000
$40,000
$31,800
$41,200
$33,708
$42,400
$35,730
$43,600
$37,874
$44,800
$40,147
$46,000
$42,556
$47,200
$45,109
$48,400
$47,815
$49,600
10
$50,684
$50,800
11
$53,725
$52,000
12
$56,949
$53,200
13
$60,366
$54,400
14
$63,988
$55,600
Lets look at
another example
Consider a savings account
with compounded yearly
income
What does compounded
yearly mean?
You have $100 in the
account
You receive 5% annual
interest
Complete the table
Find an equation to model
the situation.
How much will you have in
your account after 20
years?
At end of
year
Amount of interest earned
New balance in
account
100 * 0.05 = $5.00
$105.00
105 * 0.05 = $5.25
$110.25
110.25 * 0.05 = $5.51
$115.76
4
5
Savings Accounts
How do they differ?
Simple Interest
I = interest accrued
P = Principle
r = interest rate
Linear
t = time
Compound Interest
A = Current Balance
P = Principle
r = interest rate
n = number of times
compounded yearly
Exponential
t = time in years
Where else in our
world do we see
exponential models?
Examples of Exponential Models
Money/Investments
Appreciation/Depreciation
Radioactive Decay/Half
Life
Bacteria Growth
Population Growth
How can you determine whether an exponential
function models growth or decay just by looking at its
graph?
Graph 1
Graph 2
Exponential growth functions
increase from left to right
Exponential decay functions
decrease from left to right
How Can We Define Exponential
Functions Symbolically?
Notice the variable is in the exponent?
The base is b and a is the coefficient.
This coefficient is also the initial value/yintercept (when x=0)
Comparing Exponential Growth/Decay
in Terms of Their Equations
Exponential Growth
for
Example:
Exponential Decay
for
Example:
Can you automatically conclude that an
exponential function models decay if the
base of the power is a fraction or decimal?
or
No some fractions and decimals have a value greater than one, such as
3.5 and , and these bases produce exponential growth functions
Fry's Bank Account (clip 1)
Frys Bank Account (clip 2)
On the TV show Futurama Fry checks his bank
statement
Since he is from the past his bank account has not been
touched for 1000 years
Watch the clip above to see how Frys savings account
balance has changed over time
Answer the questions on your worksheet following each
clip
One More
Example
Consider a medication:
The patient takes 100 mg
Once it is taken, body filters medication
out over period of time
Suppose it removes 15% of what is
present in the blood stream every hour
Fill in the
rest of the
table
At end of
hour
Amount remaining
100 0.15 * 100 = 85
85 0.15 * 85 = 72.25
3
4
5
What is the
growth
factor?
Growth Factor = 0.85
Note: when growth
factor < 1, exponential
is a decreasing function
Here are Some Videos
to Further Explain
Exponential Models
The Magnitude of an Earthquake
Exponential Functions: Earthquakes Explained (2:23)
In this clip, students explore earthquakes using exponential
models. In particular, students analyze the earthquake that
struck the Sichuan Province in China in 2008
The Science of Overpopulation
The Science of Overpopulation (10:18)
This clip shows how human population grows
exponentially. There is more of an emphasis
on science in this clip then there is about
mathematics as a whole.
