SAPANG PALAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

FATIMA V, AREA E, CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACAN

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

PERFORMANCE TASK 1 IN GENERAL MATHEMATICS

SUBMITTED BY:

MARIANNE I. GUGULAN

STEM 11 – EUCLID

SUBMITTED TO:

Engr. PATRICK F. PELIMER

SUBJECT TEACHER

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

Introduction
One way to determine how one set of data will expand or deteriorate exponentially is to use the exponential
function. It may be helpful to use numerous functions such as exponential growth and exponential decay. These
two are the most common applications of exponential function. At its most fundamental, an exponential formula
f(x) = a ^ x (a > 0, a ≠ 1). The function's variable, x, is where the exponents come from. The constant that the base
uses is a. Any number larger than 0 can serve as the base of an exponential function, with the exception of 1.

Graph of Exponential Function

Exponential functions are characterized by nonlinear graphs. This is because the slopes of these functions keep
changing, leading to curves instead of straight lines. To graph such functions effectively, it is best to identify a
few points on the graph and use them to draw the graph. One way to determine a point on the graph is to select an
input value and calculate the corresponding output value. This approach allows you to sketch the graph of an
exponential function with reasonable accuracy.

𝑓(𝑥) = −4𝑥 − 3

For example, for function f(x) = -4 ^x - 3, if we want to find the y-value when x = 2, we can simplify f(2):
Write f(x) = −4^2−3 as an equation.
y = −42−3
Simplify −4^2−3
Raise 44 to the power of 22.
y = −1⋅16−3
Multiply −1 by 16
y = −16−3
Subtract 3 from 16
y = −19
Real-life Application of Exponential Function
To deepen the understanding of exponential function, here's one real-life example of exponential function. The
process of bacterial reproduction from hospital pathology samples is a crucial aspect of pathology research. A
pathologist applies the idea of exponential growth to reproduce bacteria removed from the sample during a
hospital pathology examination. When given an appropriate habitat and limitless resources, microbes multiply
quickly. The parameters of the exponential function are directly impacted by the rate of microorganism growth.
This rate dictates the pace at which the microorganism population expands over time. A higher growth rate
corresponds to a more pronounced exponential curve, indicating rapid population growth. Conversely, a lower
growth rate yields a gentler curve, indicating a slower rate of population growth. Therefore, the rate of
microorganism growth plays a crucial role in shaping the exponential function that models their population
growth. The process of studying the particular organism becomes considerably more straightforward, allowing
for a more efficient and accurate detection of the disease or disorder.

Conclusion
Microorganisms, such as bacteria, have the ability to experience exponential growth in favorable conditions. This
knowledge is crucial in various fields, including medicine, ecology, and biotechnology, as it helps us comprehend
their multiplication and spread. Exponential functions have a broad range of applications in STEM disciplines.
For instance, in the field of biology, they aid in our understanding of population growth, including the spread of
infectious diseases or the growth of microorganisms. In physics, exponential functions are utilized to explain
radioactive decay or the charging and discharging of capacitors in electrical circuits. In chemistry, they are
employed to model chemical reactions and reaction rates. In computer science and data analysis, exponential
functions are utilized in algorithms and exponential smoothing techniques. These are just a few instances of how
exponential functions find application in a variety of STEM fields. Understanding the principles of exponential
growth and decay is essential to comprehend the behavior of many natural and artificial systems, and it has
numerous practical applications in our daily lives.

References
https://studiousguy.com/real-life-examples-exponential-growth/
https://mathinsight.org/exponential_function
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni9TalKtahY
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/exponential-function
https://www.desmos.com/calculator
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/x0a8c2e5f:untitled-652/x0a8c2e5f:passport-to-advanced-math-
lessons-by-skill/a/gtp--sat-math--article--nonlinear-equation-graphs--lesson-2