Exponential Functions

• An exponential function has the basic form: f (x) =

3x

• An exponential function has the variable in the

exponent, not in the base.

• General Form of an Exponential Function:

f (x) = Nx, N > 0
 Exponential Equations
Solve the following: Exponential Equation
( x 1) 1
5  125
x
7 7 2
1 1
5 5
x 3 x  1  
5 x
 x 125
2
( x 1)
3 7 7
x  12 2

8 2x
8 4 x
 Exponential Equations
Solve the following: Exponential Equation
( x 1) 1
5  125
x
7 7 2
xx
5 5 3 x  1   1
1 4 x  8
2n 2

 x 3 27 1
2
 3
2 x 2
 1   n2
 
 125 
* 625  125
x
4 *4  4 n 3
 Exponential
General Form of an Exponential Function:
Functions
f (x) = Nx, N > 0
g(x) = 2x
g(3) = 8

x g(2) = 4
g(1) = 2
g(0) = 1
g(–1) =

2x g(–2) =
General Exponential
Form of an Exponential Function:
Functions
f (x) = Nx, N > 0
h(x) = 3x

x g(2) =
g(1) =
g(0) =
g(–1) =

3x g(–2) =
 Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x (blue)
Exponential functions with
positive bases greater than 1
have graphs that are increasing.

The function never crosses the

x-axis because there is nothing
we can plug in for x that will yield
a zero answer.

The x-axis is a left horizontal

asymptote.
h(x) = 3x (red)
 Exponential Functions
g(x) = 2x (blue)
A smaller base means the
graph rises more gradually.

A larger base means the

graph rises more quickly.

Exponential functions will

not have negative bases.

h(x) = 3x (red)
 Exponential Functions

x
1
j ( x)   
2
Exponential functions with
positive bases less than 1
have graphs that are
decreasing.