1.

Tashih
17/06/2004

1. Chapter Kapak

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17/06/2004

Different type of functions like linear, quadratic, trigonometric functions were introduced so
far. In this module, two new types of functions will be investigated which are inverse of each
other: Exponential and Logarithmic functions. Let us recall the properties related to exponents
first.

A. EXPONENTS
In an exponential expression written as ap, a is called as the base and p is called the
exponent. The expression is read as the pth power of a or a to the power of p.

1. Integer Exponents
You know that the operation of raising a number to a power is a special case of multiplication
in which the factors are all equal.
So, for natural exponents, it can be written that:
an = a a a a where a \ appears as a factor n times.
It can also be concluded that the first power of any number is the number itself and zeroth
power of any non-zero number is 1. Namely:
a1 = a
a0 = a
a0 = 1, where a 0
00 is meaningless.
The following property can be applied for negative powers of non-zero bases:
1
a n = n , where a \M and n `M.
a

Example

Calculate the following exponents:

a. 50

b. (7)0

c. 22

d. 41

2
e. ( )1
3

From the definitions of exponents given above, the following properties can be derived for
any integers m and n, and any non-zero real numbers a and b.

a. am an = am+n

m
b. a n = a m n
a

d. (a b)m = am bm

e. ( a ) = a m
b
a

c. (am)n = am n

Logarithm

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Example

Simplify each of the following. Leave each answer with positive exponents and assume that
all variables represent positive real numbers.
a. 76 74
f.

Solution

x3
2
y

b.

914
96

c.

g.

c3 d5
c4 d 7

h. e1 + f 1

a7
a16

d. (2x)3
g.

e. (3b3)4

x2 y2
x1 y1

a. 76 74 = 76+4 (282.475.249)
b.

914
= 914 6 = 98 (43.046.721)
96

c.

a7
1
= a7 16 = a9 = 9
16
a
a

d. (2x)3 = 23x3 = 8x3

e. (3b3)4 = 34 (b3)4 = 81 b3 4 = 81 b12
5

f.

x3
( x3 )5
x3 5
x15
=
=
=
2
( y2 )5 y2 5
y10
y

g.

c3 d5 c 3 d 5
d12
= 4 7 = c3 4 d5 ( 7) = c7 d12 = 7
4
7
c d
c
d
c

1 1 e+ f
h. e1 + f 1 = e 1 + f 7 = + =
e f
ef

g.

x2 y2
x1 y1

1
1
y2 x2

( y x )( y + x) x y
y2 x2
xy
x2 y2
x2 y2

=
=
= 2 2
=
1 1
yx
( x y)2
xy
yx
yx

x y
xy
=

( y + x)
x+ y
.
xy=
xy
( x y)( x y )

Check Yourself 1
Simplify each of the following:
1. 3(x2y)2

2. 51 + 31

3.

25 ( 2)5
25 ( 2)5
1

3
5. 6 4
5

Exponents and Exponential Functions

2 1 3
6.
4
3

4. x3(x2 + x4)
2

1
2
2
5 ( 2) +
2
3
7.
2
0
2 +1

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17/06/2004

Answers
1. ......

2. ......

3. ......

4. ......

5. ......

6. ......

7. ......

2. Rational Exponents
Rational exponents obey the same laws as do integer exponents. For instance:
1

1 3
+
2

22 22 = 22

= 2 2 = 4 or 3 2 2 2 = (3 2) 2 = 6 2.

1
where n ` and
n
n 2, indicates a root, the index of which is n. Check the following examples:

As in the result of the latter example, a fractional exponent of the form

2 2 = 2 (index is generally not written when it is 2)

1

33 = 3 3
1

For even values of n, the expression a n is defined to be positive nth root of a, or the principal
nth root of a. But when the base a is negative, the root will be an imaginary number which
will be investigated in another module. So, we will just consider positive numbers as the bases
1

of positive even nth roots. In other words, (4) 2 will be identified as not a real number.
On the other hand, when n is odd, there is only one nth root which has the same sign as a.
1

For example, a 3 is the cube root of a and it has the same sign as a. By definition, if b = a n
then bn = a.

Example

Evaluate each expression.

1

a. 100 2
Solution

b. 814

c. 64 6

a. 100 2 = 10, because 102 = 100

1

c. 64 6 = 2, because 26 = 64
1

e. ( 32) 5 = 2, because (2(5 = 32

d. ( 32) 4

e. ( 32) 5

1
5

b. 814 = 3, because 104 = 81

1

d. ( 32) 4 is not a real number

f.

(32)

1
5

1
32

f. (32)

1
5

1
2
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m
For all real numbers a for which the indicated roots exist, and for any rational number
,
n
it can be written that:
m

a n = ( a n )m or a n = n a m .
Example

Write each number without exponents:

2

Solution

b. 32 5

a. 27 3

c. 64 3

a. 27 3 = (27 3 )2 = 3 2 = 9

d. 25 2

b. 32 5 = (32 5 ) 3 = 2 3 = 8

c. 64 3 = (64 3 )2 = 4 2 =16

d. 25 2 = (25 2 ) 3 = 5 3 =125

Note that 27 3 could also be evaluated as (27 2 ) 3 , but this is more difficult to perform. This
5

order of operation is particularly important in evaluating a number like 64 6. If 64 were first

raised to the fifth power, a large number would result. It would require a great deal of
unnecessary effort to find the sixth root of 645. The result is obtained easily, if we write:
5

64 6 = (64 6 )5 = 2 5 = 32
Example

Calculate:

a. 4 2 +8

2
3

+16

3
4

b.

a. 4

1
2

+8

2
3

+16

3
4

1
4

1
2

1
8

2
3

1
16

2
4

b.

c.

1
= +
2

1
(8 )2

(0.175 0.3)

0.(3)

= (1.69)

1
4

(16 )

1 1
1
1 1 1
= + 2+ 3= + +
2 2
2
2 4 8
3

1
2

16 4

125 3

10000

1000 3

1
2

1
4

( 0.125)

169 2
100

Exponents and Exponential Functions

4+ 2+1 7
=
8
8

16 4 125 3
0.0016 + 0.125 =
+
=
10000
1000

(1.85 0.15)

1
3

0,5

d. (7 2 2 5 2 ) 2 (7+ 2 10 2 ) 2

0.0016 + 3 0.125
3

c. (1.885 0.15)0.5 (0.175 0.3)0.(3)

Solution

125

1
3

1000

1
3

1
3

2
5
+ =10
10 10
1

169 2
=

100

125

1000

1
3

13 10
13

=
10 5
5
5

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17/06/2004

d. (7 2 2 5 2 ) 2 (7+ 2 10 2 ) 2 = (5+ 2 2 2 2 5 2 ) 2 (5+ 2+ 2(2 5) 2 ) 2

1

1 1
1
1
1 1
1
1 2
1
2 1 1

= (5 2 )2 +(2 2 ) 2 2(2 2 )(5 2 ) (5 2 ) 2 +(2 2 ) 2 +2 2 2 5 2

1
1
1
1

= (5 2 2 2 )2 (5 2 + 2 2 )2

= 5 2 2 2 (5 2 + 2 2 ) = 2 2 2 2 = 2 2

Example

Factorize and simplify the following expressions:

1

a. 9(6 x + 2) 2 + 3(9 x 1)(6 x + 2)

Solution

a. 9(6 x + 2) 2 + 3(9 x 1)(6 x + 2)

1
2

1
2

c.

x+ y

x y( x + y )
( x+ y )

a 3 a2 b + 3 ab 2 b
3

a3b

x+ y

a 3 a2 b + 3 ab 2 b
3

a3b
1

3(27 x +5)
(6 x + 2)

x y+y x

c.

= 3(6 x+ 2) [3(6 x+ 2)+(9 x 1) ]= 3(6 x+ 2)2 [27x +5 ]

=

b.

x y+y x

b.

1
2

3(27 x+5)
6x + 2

= x y

( 3 a )3 3 a 2 3 b + 3 a 3 b 2 ( 3 b )3
3

( 3 a )3 ( 3 b )3
3

a3b

a 3b

a 3 b( 3 a 3 b )
3

a3b

( 3 a 3 b )+( 3 a2 + 3 3 a 3 b + 3 b 2 )
3

a3b

3 a 3 b = 3 a2 + 3 b 2
Logarithm

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Check Yourself 2
Evaluate the following:
1. 25

1
2

2. 9

1
2

3. 100

3
2

4.

32 2 2
48

6.

(3 2 5 2 )2

7. (16

1
1

4
4
(2

15
)

(2+15
)

4
5
4
9. (22 ) 3 16 2 64 6 4 3 : 1
128

1
4

5.

1
3

3 2 )[16 0.25 +(3 3) 3 ]

( 2)1071 +( 2)1072
2 1072
4

8. 3 5 27 9 0.4 3

Answers
1. ......

2. ......

3. ......

4. ......

5. ......

6. ......

7. ......

8. ......

9. ......

3. Real Exponents
Up to now, we have not defined irrational exponents. That is because the meaning of
numbers such as 32 or 2x, etc. is not that clear. But, many scientific computations require
irrational exponents. So, the exponentiation process must be extended from rational
exponents to real exponents. The true generalization is beyond the scope of this module.
However, we shall now assume that the laws of exponents hold also for irrational ones.
The definition of ax for irrational values of x and for a positive value of a involves a successive
approximation of x by rational numbers. For instance, for 32 we consider minor and major
approximations of 2 and then raise 3 to the appropriate rational powers, as follows:
31 < 32 < 32
31.4 < 32 < 31.5
31.41 < 32 < 31.42
As the process continues, the left and right sides of the inequality expressed as non
terminating decimals will have more and more coincident decimal digits, which are taken as
the decimal digits defining the irrational number 32.
We will not go into any more detail here but we will note that ax does indeed have a very
definite real value for a > 0 and for any real value x.
Exponents and Exponential Functions

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B. EXPONENTIAL FUNCTINOS
Definition

A function of the form f(x) = ax for a > 0, a 1 is called an exponential function with
base a.
Note that exponential function is one where the variable appears as an exponent. The
following functions are all exponential functions:
f(x) = 3x, g(x) = 10x+1, h(x) = 53n + 2
whereas the functions k(x) = (2)x, m(x) = x5 and n(x) = xx are not.

1. Graphs of Exponential Functions

We will investigate graphs of exponential functions in two cases:
i. a (0, 1)
x

Consider the function f ( x) = 1 for which the following table shows corresponding
2
values of x and f(x).
x
1
g(x)=( )x
2

-10

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

10

1024

32

16

1
2

1
4

1
8

1
16

1
32

1
1024

To describe the variation of the function we sketch its graph. We

1 x
plot the points x, and join them by a smooth curve. In
2
order to get a visible curve, we have used different scales for x
and y. The curve approaches the positive x axis but never

y
4
2
1
-2 -1

actually touches it or crosses it. We say that the x axis is a

horizontal asymptote to the graph of the function.
Any exponential function with a base a (0, 1) is
x

1
represented by a curve similar to that deduced for .
2

y
1
g(x)=( )x
3

But if you check the adjacent figure made for a comparison

1
between f ( x) =
2

1
and g( x) = , you realize that
3

the smaller the base a (0, 1), the steeper is the rise of the

1
f(x)=( )x
2
x

graph of the function y = a leftwards and the faster it approaches the asymptote when
the point moves rightwards.
8

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ii. a > 1
Let us consider the function f(x) = 2x while investigating for this second case.
x

f(x)=2x

-10

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

1
1024

1
32

1
16

1
8

1
4

1
2

16

32

f(x)=2x

For some values shown in the table, the sketch of f(x) = 2 is

drawn: In the same way, we can say that x axis is the horizontal
asymptote of the curve.

2
1
1 2

If we make a comparison between the graphs of f(x) = 2x and

g(x) = 3x we get the conclusion that the greater the base a > 1,
the steeper is the rise of the graph of the function y = ax
rightwards and the faster it approaches the asymptote when the
point moves leftwards.

g(x)=3x
f(x)=2x

Note that the graph of y = 2x and

1
y=
2

1
x
y
y
or
=
3
and
=

are symmetric, respectively, with respect to y axis.

3

By the help of the graphs of the exponential functions, the following properties can be
derived easily.

2. Properties of Exponential Functions

i. The domain of definition of exponential functions is the infinite interval (, +).
Namely, the set of values which can be assigned to the independent variable x is the set
of real numbers.
ii. The range of the function, i.e. the set of values which result for the function is the set of
positive real numbers. Therefore, the function y = ax is positive for all values of the
argument x and its graph lies entirely above the x-axis:
f : (, +) (0, ) or f : \ \+
Exponents and Exponential Functions

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iii. Monotony of the exponential function.

a. if a > 1 then f(x) = ax is strictly increasing, because its graph has a curve increasing
while moving rightward. Formally it should be shown that for x1, x2 \ and x1 < x2 if
f(x1) < f(x2) then the function f is called strictly increasing. So, we can write the
following criteria for comparing two exponential numbers with the same base which is
greater than 1:
If x1 < x2 then ax1 < ax2, where a > 1.
As an example, since 3 < 4, it can be written that 53 < 54.
b. if 0 < a < 1 then f(x) = ax is strictly decreasing because its graph is a curve decreasing
while moving right. Since the formal definition is that for x1, x2 \ such that x1 < x2
if f(x1) > f(x2), then f(x) is strictly decreasing, we can derive the conclusion:
if x1 < x2 then ax1 < ax2, where 0 < a < 1.
2

2
2
2
Therefore, is greater than because 0 < <1 and 2 < 3.
3
3
3

iv. Exponential functions are convex.

a. Let us recall how to decide whether a function is convex or not. By using Jensen
x + x2
inequality: x1, x2 \ if f 1
2
convex.

f ( x1 )+ f ( x2 )
, then the function f is said to be

b. Since, x1, x2 \, ax1 < ax2 > 0 and ( ax1 a x2 )2 0, it can be written that
x
x
x x
( ax1 )2 +( ax2 )2 2 ax1 ax2 0. So, a 1 + a 2 2 a 1 a 2 or

ax1 + ax2
a x1+x2 .
2

x +x

x2
x1
1
2
Then, a + a a 2 . Hence for exponential functions, Jensen inequality holds,
2
namely, exponential functions are convex.

c. By using tangent rule: when a tangent is drawn at a point, if the graph of a function
lies over the tangent, the function is said to be convex.
Since exponential functions have graphs of general forms:
y

y
f(x)=axy

f(x)=ax
tangent

x
10

tangent
and

Logarithm

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In both cases, graph is lying over the tangent. So it can be concluded that exponential
functions are convex.
d. Graphical representation of Jensen inequality.
For any two points, line segment joining their images on the function lies over the
graph of the functions for the values between those two points then the function is said
to be convex.
y
f(x)

For a function with a graph like in the figure,

it can be concluded that:

f(x2)
f(x1)+f(x2)

x + x2 f ( x1 )+ f ( x2 )
.
f 1

2
2
So, f is a convex function.

2
f(

It will not be difficult to derive the same

conclusion for both forms of the graph of the
exponential functions. Namely, exponential
functions are convex.

x1+x2
2

)
f(x1)

x1

x1+x2

x2

v. Exponential functions are bijective. So, they have inverses which will be defined as
logarithm functions in the proceeding part.

Example

Find the greater one, for the following pairs of numbers:

3
4

a. 5 and 5

4
5

2 2
2
b. and
3
3

d.

Solution

a. Since

4

5

28

23

and

4

5

c. ( 2 )2 and 1
2
1
e.
3

2+ 5

1
and
3

11

3 4
< and the base is greater than one, the direction of the inequality will be the
4 5
3

same for the exponential number, with these exponents. So, 5 4 < 5 5.
2
is between 0 and 1, the direction of the exponential numbers will be
3
5
3
5
2 2 2
inverse of the one for the exponent since < 3, we can conclude > .
2
3
3

b. Given the base

1
1
1
1
c. ( 2 )2 =
<1. So
and 0 <
>
.
2
2
2
2

d. and e. are left as an exercise to the student.

Exponents and Exponential Functions

11

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Example

Find the greater one, for the following pairs of numbers:

a. 1
2

Solution

0.4

b. (1, 5)

1.4

c. (3)

1 2
d.

1.5

2
e.
3

f. [0, (12)]0.5

Consider the following implications.

When 0 < a < 1, if x > 0 then 0 < ax < 1
if x < 0 then ax > 1.
When a > 1,

if x > 0 then ax > 1

if x < 0 then 0 < ax < 1.

Accordingly, it will not be difficult to identify that the numbers in b, c and c are greater then 1.

Example

Solution

For a \ satisfying 2a + 2a = 5, then calculate 42 + 4a and 8a + 8a.

By taking the square of both parts, we obtain:
(2a + 2a) = 52 (2a) + (2a) + 2 2n 2a = 25
4a + 4a + 2 2a+(a) = 25
4a + 4a + 2 20 = 25
4a + 4a + 2 = 25
4 a + 4a = 23
By taking the square of both parts, we obtain:
(2a + 2a)3

(2a)3 + (2a) + 3 2a 2a (2a + 2a) = 53

a
3a

3a

2 +2

+ 3 (2 + 2a) = 125

8a + 8a + 3 5 = 125
8a + 8a = 110.

Example

10

2 x , x _
For f : \ (0, ), f ( x) =
.
4x , x _

Show that a. f is injective;

12

b. f is not strictly monotonic.

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1. Tashih
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Solution

a. For x1, x2 _ such that x1 x2, it is simple to show that f(x1) f(x2), because 2x1 2x2.
For x1, x2 _ and x1 x2, since 4x1 4x2, we can conclude that f(x1) f(x2).
Also to be the last case, let x1 x2 such that x1 _ and x2 _. Since there will not be
any solution for 2x1 = 4x2 (consider to solve 2x1 = 22x2 or x1 = 2x2), it can be said that
f(x1) f(x2) for all the cases. So, f(x) is injective.
b. Consider that f(0) < f(1) but f(2) > f(2).

Example

11

Solution

For a > 1, x, y, z \, show that if x + y > 2z then ax + ay + 2az.

By applying median inequality which claims r + s 2rs, we get:
a x + a y 2 a x a y = 2 a x+y
a x + a y 2 a2 z

( x + y > 2 z)

a x + a y 2a z .

Example

12

Solution

Show that the function f : \ \, f(x) = 6x 3x 3 2x + 4 is not injective.

It will be enough to find x1, x2 \, x1 x2 for which f(x1) f(x2). Let us arrange the given
function as:
f(x) = 6x 3x 3 2x + 4 = (3 2)x 3x 3 2x + 3 + 1
= (3x 2x 3x) (3 2x 3) + 1 = 3x (2x 1) + 1
= (3x 3)(2x 1) + 1.
In this function expression, x1 and x2 values can be obtained by equalizing each factor to
zero.
3x 3 = 0 x1 = 1 and 2x 1 = 0 x2 = 0
So, for these two values the function f(x) will have the same value which is 1. Therefore,
x1 = 1 x2 = 0 f(x1) = f(x2) = 1 which means that f(x) is not injective.

Example

13

Study the monotony of the following functions f : \ \:

x

a. f(x) = 2x + 3x b. f ( x) = 1 + 1
2
3
Exponents and Exponential Functions

c. f ( x) =1+

1
2x

d. f(x) = 22+x e. f(x) = 3x

13

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Solution

Consider the properties for the monotony of the sum of two functions:
i. sum of two strictly increasing functions is also strictly increasing;
ii. sum of two strictly decreasing functions is also strictly decreasing.
a. Since f1(x) = 2x and f2(x) = 3x are both strictly increasing, f(x) = f1(x) + f2(x) = 2x + 3x
is also strictly increasing.
x

x
x
1
1
b. Since both and are both strictly decreasing, f ( x) = 1 + 1 is also strictly
2
3
2
3
decreasing.

c. Since adding or subtracting constants from monotonic functions do not affect the monotony
of the resultant functions, we can conclude that f ( x) =1+
x

1
1
=1+
2x
2

is strictly

1
decreasing, because is strictly decreasing.
2
d. f(x) = 22+x = 22 2x = 4 2x and positive constant multiple of a function will have the
same monotony of the given function. So, f(x) = 4 2x is strictly increasing since 2x is
strictly increasing.
x

1
f ( x) = 3 2 x = 3 . Since negative constant multiple of a function has an inverse
2

e.

1
1
monotony of the given function and is strictly decreasing, f ( x) = 3 is strictly
2
2
decreasing.

EXERCISES
A. Exponents

j.

( 0.004)3 (0.012) 3
( 3)1071 +( 3) 1072
:
k.
(0.125)2 ( 0.25) 4
31072

l.

ax+3 + ax+1 + ax 1
ax 5 + ax 3 + a x 1

1. Simplify each of the following:

2

a. 2 + 3
c.

2 1

b. (3 + 2 )

x2 + x2
x2

e. (x2y)3 : (xy3)2

d.

34 ( 3)5
35 ( 3)5

f.

1
3

3
1
1
m. 3 (36) 2

3 2
6
6

27
2

216

n. (32)8 (35 2)2+5 2 33

1

g.

1
2

3 2

1
2

3x+2 3x
h. x
3 + 3x+1

24 2

i.
14

2 2 + 2 5 1

o.
2

2
7

1 +3 3 +2
:
2
2 1
2
1 +3 3 +2

p.

6
8

5 +5

2
3

2 3 2 3 2 3 + 2 3 34
5
3

2
3

2 48 2 3 + 3 2

2
3

:32
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2. Evaluate the following expressions:

2

(0.2) 3+ 6
a.

(0.2)

b. (3

1
2

(8 )

1
3

1
2

(0.2) 2
:

2 1
(0.2)

1
3

l.

following expressions:

c. 16x + 16x

1
1
d. +
2
2
x

f.

1
1
g. +
16

16

x
a.
3

5 3

x 1
b.

1
1
+
8
8

e. ( 6 )

a. f(x) = 4 2x
c. f(x) = 2 2

10

i.

( 5)

j.

( 2 1)

5+2

or (0.8)

6
d. (1.2)9 or
5

f.
9

21
2

8.9

11

0.6

1

2

g. (0.5) or

k. x =

25
36

1
or

7
3

12
14
5
or (0.125)
8

1
h.
3

2+ 5

1
or
3

or ( 5)4.2
2+1

12

f. (6 2)2

f : \ (0, ):

4
b.
5

7
c. (0.7) or
10

27

6. Draw the graphs of the following functions

7
8

2
3

c.

B. Exponential Functions

4. Which one in each pair is grater?

a. 4 or 4

1 2
g.

3
4

b. 8x + 8x

or y =

3
2
2

d. (5 2)2 2 e. (2 1)0.1

a. 4x + 4x

5+1

5. Which of the following numbers are greater than 1?

3. If x \ and 2 + 2 = 3 then calculate the

1
1
e. +
4
4

3 1

2 +1
m. x =

2 1

: 6 + (1 2 4 3)(1 + 48 0.25 )
x

x = ( 5)

25
or y = 5 7
2
5

9
1
36 3
2

Exponents and Exponential Functions

or y =

2 46
2

3
3
3

d. f(x) = 5x

e. f(x) = 2x 3

1
f. f ( x) = 4+
2

g. f(x) = 6 3x

1
h. f ( x) =
5

7. Analyze whether the following functions are

increasing or decreasing:
a. f(x) = 3x+1

b. f(x) = 21 2x

c. f(x) = 5 3x 3

2
3
d. f ( x) = +
3

5

11

x
x
e. f ( x) = 3 +5
x
2
x
g. f(x) = 3 3x

or 5 ( 2 1)12

31 2 ( 12 )1

+1

b. f(x) = 3 22x

f.

f ( x) =1

3
4x

8. Show that f : \ \,
f(x) = 10x 4 5x 5 2x + 23 is not injective.
15

1. Tashih
17/06/2004

CHAPTER 1 SUMMARY
Domain of the exponential functions is the set of real
numbers.

A. Exponents
ap is an exponential expression where a is its base and p
is its exponent. It is read as the pth power or a to the
power of p;

Exponential functions are strictly increasing when their

bases are greater than 1 and they are strictly decreasing
when their bases are between 0 and 1.

For n `M, an = a a a ... a;

n times

Exponential functions are convex.

a1 = a, a0 = 1 where a 0
a n =

Range of the exponential functions is the set of positive

real numbers.

Exponential functions are bijective, therefore they have

inverses which are called as logarithmic functions.

1
, where a \M and n `M
an

am a = am+n

am
= am n
an

Concept Check

(am)n = am n
m

What is an exponential expression?

(a b) = a b
m

What is the difference between power and exponent?

a
a
= m
b
b

What happens if the base of an exponential expression is

equal to 1?
1

For positive basis, a n is called the principal (or positive)

nth root of a if n is an even natural number but for

When does an exponential expression not represent a

real numbers?

negative bases it will not be a real number. For odd val-

How can we calculate irrational powers of real numbers?

ues of n, there is no restriction for the bases.

Are f(x) = xn and g(x) = xx exponential functions?

If b = a n then bn = a

How does the base affect the graph of an exponential

function?

m
n

a = n am

What is an asymptote?
In how many ways can you identify the convexity of a
function?

B. Exponential Functions
f(x) = ax for a>0 and a 0 called an exponential function.
Exponential functions have a general graph:
y

when a < 1

or
1

1
x
16

When does an exponential function have values grater

than one?

y
when 0 < a < 1

When does an exponential function have negative

values?

Logarithm

CHAPTER REVIEW TEST

1. What is the half of 419?

A) 239

B) 238

C) 237

D) 219

E) 218

5.

27 3
16

1
2

10 2 = ?

A) 45

B) 75

C) 100

xy y x
=?
x y yx

2. For x, y \,
x

x
x
A) B)
y

y

x
xy
yx
C) D) x E) y
y
x
y

6. If 5a 3a = k then what is
of k?
A) k2

B) k

C)

D) 225

E) 450

xy y x
= ? in terms
x y yx

1
k

D)

1
k2

E)

1
k3

3. If A = 3x 3x and B = 3x + 3x which of the

following shows the relation between A and B?
2

A) A B = 4

B) A B = 4
2

D) B A = 4

C) A B = 4

7. Which one of the following is wrong?

A) 215 + 215 = 216

B) 215 215 = 415

C) 215 + 215 = 415

D) 215 > 0

E) A2 + B2 = 4

4.

E) 215 215 = 245

10

32 x+1 2 32 x 1 + 2 32 x
=?
2 9 x + 4 9 x 1 32 x

A) 5

B) 4

C) 3

Exponents and Exponential Functions

8. ( a)6 ( a4 ) ( a)5 1 = ?
a

D) 2

E) 1

A) a5

B) a5

C) a25

D) a25

E) a15
17

9.

295 + 294 + 290

=?
292 + 2 91 + 2 87

A)

1
8

B)

1
4

13.
C) 4

D) 8

E) 16

10. If x y z 0 then which one of the following

cannot be zero?

1
7

m2

x y

14.

A) ay

A) x2 + y2 + z

B) x2 y2 + z6

C) x + y + z

D) (x + y + z)2

1
7

2 m

B) 7m

A) 1

ax
y
a

ay
x
a

=?

C) 7m 1

D) 72

E) 1

x y

=?

B) a

C) ax

E) ax y

D) 1

E) x2 + (y + z)

15. For an exponential function f(x) = ax, which one

of the following is not exactly true?

11.

A) injective

B) convex

C) increasing

D) surjective

0.05 10 + 3000
=?
0.005 10 4 0.01 10 3

A) 100

B) 200

C) 400

E) positive
D) 2000

E) 4000

16. Which one of the following is greater than 1?

1
A)
x

12. How many multiples of 2125 is 841?

1
A)
8
18

1
B)
4

1
C)
2

D) 2

E) 4

1
D)
4

B) [0, (3)]
4

1
E)

10
C)
3

10
3

0.6

Logarithm