SH1902

Exponential Functions
I. Exponential Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

An exponential function is a function of the form

𝒇𝒇(𝒙𝒙) = 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥
where 𝑏𝑏 is any number such that 𝑏𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 1. In this case, 𝑏𝑏 is called the base and 𝑥𝑥 can
be any real number.

Exponential equations are equations in which variables occur as exponents.

Examples:
• 2𝑥𝑥+1 = 8
• 32𝑥𝑥−1 = 3𝑥𝑥+1
• 42𝑥𝑥 = 25−𝑥𝑥
• 10𝑥𝑥 = 100𝑥𝑥−2

Likewise, exponential inequalities are inequalities in which variables occur as exponents.

Examples:
• 2𝑥𝑥+1 < 8
• 32𝑥𝑥−1 ≤ 3𝑥𝑥+1
• 42𝑥𝑥 ≥ 25−𝑥𝑥
• 10𝑥𝑥 > 100𝑥𝑥−2

II. Solving Exponential Equations and Inequalities

Laws of Exponents

Law Example

1. 𝑎𝑎1 = 𝑎𝑎 51 = 5

2. 𝑎𝑎0 = 1, with 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0 30 = 1
1 1
3. 𝑎𝑎−1 = 𝑎𝑎, with 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0 4−1 =
4
4. 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚+𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎3 𝑎𝑎4 = 𝑎𝑎3+4 = 𝑎𝑎7
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑎7
5. = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚−𝑛𝑛 , with 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0 = 𝑎𝑎7−3 = 𝑎𝑎4
𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎3
6. (𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 )𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚×𝑛𝑛 (𝑎𝑎3 )4 = 𝑎𝑎3×4 = 𝑎𝑎12

7. (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛 (𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)2 = 𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏 2

𝑎𝑎 𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑎 3 𝑎𝑎3
8. �𝑏𝑏� = 𝑏𝑏𝑛𝑛, with 𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0 � � = 3
𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 1 of 8
 SH1902

1 1
9. 𝑎𝑎−𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛, with 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑎−4 =
𝑎𝑎4
10. 𝑛𝑛
𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚/𝑛𝑛 = √𝑎𝑎𝑚𝑚 , with 𝑛𝑛 ≠ 0
4
𝑎𝑎3/4 = �𝑎𝑎3

32𝑥𝑥 = 3𝑥𝑥+1 implies that 2𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 + 1 or

11. Let 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0. If 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎 𝑦𝑦 , then 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑦𝑦.
𝑥𝑥 = 1.

Solving Exponential Equations

STEP 1. Rewrite both sides with same base that is nonzero.

STEP 2. Equate the exponents on both sides of the equation.

(This is the application of Law 11, that is, if 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎 𝑦𝑦 , then 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑦𝑦.)

STEP 3. Solve for 𝑥𝑥.

III. Graphs of Exponential Functions

Structures of graphs of exponential functions fall on one of these traced curves.

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 2 of 8
 SH1902

Plotting an exponential function

STEP 1. Construct T-table for values in the domain.

STEP 2. Plot the points.
STEP 3. Trace the curve.

Example:
Plot the functions below.
a. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥
b. 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = 2−𝑥𝑥
c. ℎ(𝑥𝑥) = −2𝑥𝑥

Solutions:
a. Construct 𝑇𝑇-table.
𝑥𝑥 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥
−3 𝑓𝑓(−3) = 2−3
1
= 3
2
1
=
8
= 0.125
0 𝑓𝑓(0) = 20
=1
3 𝑓𝑓(3) = 23
=8

Plot (−3,0.125), (0,1), and (3,8).

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 3 of 8
 SH1902

Trace the curve.

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

b. Construct 𝑇𝑇-table.
𝑥𝑥 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = 2−𝑥𝑥
−3 𝑔𝑔(−3) = 2−(−3)
= 23
=8
0 𝑔𝑔(0) = 2−0
= 20
=1
3 𝑔𝑔(3) = 2−3
1
= 3
2
1
=
8
= 0.125

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 4 of 8
 SH1902

Plot (−3,8), (0,1), and (3,0.125).

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Trace the curve.

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 5 of 8
 SH1902

c. Construct 𝑇𝑇-table.
𝑥𝑥 ℎ(𝑥𝑥) = −2𝑥𝑥
−3 ℎ(−3) = −2−3
1
=− 3
2
1
=−
8
= −0.125
0 ℎ(0) = −20
= −1
3 ℎ(3) = −23
= −8

Plot (−3, −0.125), (0, −1), and (3, −8).

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 6 of 8
 SH1902

Trace the curve.

Source: https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Consider the functions 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = −𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 for some positive number 𝑎𝑎.

Function
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥)
Domain Real numbers Real numbers
Range Positive numbers Negative numbers
Asymptote 𝑥𝑥-axis 𝑥𝑥-axis

Note that 𝑓𝑓 and 𝑔𝑔 both have no zero. Otherwise, for each function, it leads to a contradiction
as shown below.

Example:
Let 𝑎𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 1. Suppose 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 has a zero such that there exists a real number 𝑥𝑥
such that
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 0
𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 0.
But since 𝑎𝑎 > 0, then for all 𝑥𝑥, 𝑎𝑎 > 0. This contradicts the equation above that 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 = 0.
𝑥𝑥

Therefore, 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥 has no zero.

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 7 of 8
 SH1902

References:
Chua, R., Ubarro, A., & Wu, Z. (2016). Soaring 21st century mathematics (general mathematics).
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House.
Domain and range of exponential and logarithmic functions. (n.d.). In Varsity Tutors. Retrieved from
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/domain-and-range-of-
exponential-and-logarithmic-functions
Fernando, O. (2016) Next century mathematics (general mathematics). Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House.
Lim, Y., Nocon E., Nocon, R., & Ruivivar L. (2016). Math for engaged learning (general
mathematics). Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House.
Melosantos, L. (2016). Math connections in the digital age (general mathematics). Quezon City:
Sibs Publishing House.
Zorilla, R. (2016). General mathematics for senior high school. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing
House.

04 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 student.feedback@sti.edu Page 8 of 8