Exponential Functions and

Their Graphs
 The exponential function f with base a is
defined by
f(x) = ax
where a > 0, a  1, and x is any real number.

For instance,
f(x) = 3x and g(x) = 0.5x
are exponential functions.

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

 The value of f(x) = 3x when x = 2 is
f(2) = 32 = 9

The value of f(x) = 3x when x = –2 is

1
f(–2) = 3 –2
=
9

The value of g(x) = 0.5x when x = 4 is

g(4) = 0.54 = 0.0625

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 3

 The graph of f(x) = ax, a > 1
y

4
Range: (0, )

(0, 1)
x
4
Horizontal Asymptote
y=0
Domain: (–, )

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 4

 The graph of f(x) = ax, 0 < a < 1
y

4
Range: (0, )
Horizontal Asymptote
y=0 (0, 1)

x
4

Domain: (–, )

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 5

 Example: Sketch the graph of f(x) = 2x.

x f(x) (x, f(x)) y

-2 ¼ (-2, ¼) 4
-1 ½ (-1, ½)
2
0 1 (0, 1)
1 2 (1, 2) x
2 4 (2, 4) –2 2

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 6

 Example: Sketch the graph of g(x) = 2x – 1. State the
domain and range.

The graph of this y f(x) = 2x

function is a vertical
translation of the 4
graph of f(x) = 2x
down one unit . 2

Domain: (–, ) x
y = –1
Range: (–1, )

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 7

 Example: Sketch the graph of g(x) = 2-x. State the
domain and range.

The graph of this y f(x) = 2x

function is a
reflection the graph 4
of f(x) = 2x in the y-
axis.

Domain: (–, ) x
–2 2
Range: (0, )

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 8

 The graph of f(x) = ex
y
x f(x)
6
-2 0.14
-1 0.38
4
0 1
2 1 2.72
2 7.39
x
–2 2

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 9

 The irrational number e, where
e  2.718281828…
is used in applications involving growth and
decay.
Using techniques of calculus, it can be shown
that
n
 1
1    e as n  
 n

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 10