Lesson (7.1) and (7.

2)

The Exponential Function

 • Open books to pg. 377, Exploration 1
Bacteria Growth
Hour
0 1 2 3 4 5 …
x
Population
100 200 400 800 1600 3200 …
y

What was the multiplier? The multiplier was 2.

Write a function that f (x) = 100 · 2x

models this situation.
This is an example of an
exponential function.

2
 • Open books to pg. 378, Exploration 2
Urban Population Growth
Year
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 …
x
Population 465,622 477,728 490,149 502,893 515,968 529,383 …
y

What was the multiplier? The multiplier was 1.026.

Write a function that g (x) = 465,622 · 1.026x

models this situation.
This is another example of an
exponential function.

3
Exponential f (x) = a · bx
Function a = initial population
b = multiplier

Examples:

f (x) = 100 · 2x

g (x) = 465,622 · 1.026x

4
Graph on your calc.
y1 = 3x

Graph on your calc.

y1 = .3x

5
 The graph of f(x) = abx, b > 1
y

4 In this graph the

x-axis is called
an asymptote
(0, 1) because the
x graph gets closer
4 and closer to the
x-axis without
reaching it.
Exponential Growth Function

6
 The graph of f(x) = abx, 0 < b < 1
y

4
i.e., b is a
fraction or
(0, 1)
decimal
x
4
asymptote
Exponential Decay Function

7
 COMPOUND INTEREST
• Exponential functions also model problems that
include compound interest.
Compound Interest Formula
nt
 r
A(t )  P1  
 n
A(t) = amount after t years
P = principal amount (initial $)
r = interest rate
n = # of times per year that the interest is compounded

8
 Example
$100 is invested at an annual rate of 5%
A) Find the balances after 10 years if the
interest is compounded annually,
quarterly, and daily.

$162.89
$164.36
$164.87
9