We’ve looked at linear and quadratic functions,

polynomial functions and rational functions. We are now

going to study a new function called exponential
functions. They are different than any of the other types
of functions we’ve studied because the independent
variable is in the exponent. Let’s look at the graph of
this function by plotting
x 2x

3 8 f x   2 x some points.8
7

2 4 BASE
6
5
1 2 4
3
0 1 Recall what a
2
1
-1 1/2 negative exponent -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2 1/4 means:
-2
-3
-3 1/8 1 -4
f  1  2 
1 -5
-6
2 -7
 Compare the graphs 2x, 3x , and 4x
f x   4 x
Characteristics about the
Graph of an Exponential
Function f x   a where a > 1
x

f x   3 x
1. Domain is all real numbers
2. Range is positive real numbers f x   2 x
3. There are no x intercepts because
there is no x value that you can put Can
What
Whatyou
is
isthe
the
seerange
x
What
Are these
is the ythe
in the function to make it = 0 of
intercept
horizontal
domain
an exponential
of
of
intercept
exponentialofan
these
these
4. The y intercept is always (0,1) function?
exponential
asymptote
exponential
exponential
functions for
because a 0 = 1 functions?
these
function?
functions?
functions?
increasing or
5. The graph is always increasing decreasing?
6. The x-axis (where y = 0) is a
horizontal asymptote for x  - 
 x All of the transformations that you
y2 learned apply to all functions, so what
x
would the graph of y  2  3
look like?
up 3

right 2 down 1
Reflected over x2
up 1 x axis y2 1
x
y  1 2
Reflected over y-axis This equation could be rewritten in
x a different form: x
y2 x 1 1
y2  x  
2 2

So if the base of our exponential

function is between 0 and 1
(which will be a fraction), the
graph will be decreasing. It will
have the same domain, range,
intercepts, and asymptote.

There are many occurrences in nature that can be

modeled with an exponential function (we’ll see some of
these later this chapter). To model these we need to
learn about a special base.
The Base “e” (also called the natural base)
To model things in nature, we’ll
need a base that turns out to be
between 2 and 3. Your calculator
knows this base. Ask your
calculator to find e1. You do this by
using the ex button (generally you’ll
need to hit the 2nd or yellow button
first to get it depending on the
calculator). After hitting the ex, you
then enter the exponent you want
(in this case 1) and push = or enter.
If you have a scientific calculator
that doesn’t graph you may have to
enter the 1 before hitting the ex. Example
You should get 2.718281828 for TI-83
 f x   e x

f x   3 x

f x   2 x
 If au = av, then u = v
This says that if we have exponential functions in
equations and we can write both sides of the equation
using the same base, we know the exponents are equal.
3 x4 The left hand side is 2 to the something.
2 8 Can we re-write the right hand side as 2
to the something?

Now we use the property above. The

3 x4 3
2 2 bases are both 2 so the exponents must
be equal.

3x  4  3 We did not cancel the 2’s, We just used

the property and equated the exponents.

You could solve this for x now.

 1 x The left hand side is 4
Let’s try one more: 4 
to the something but
We could however re-write
8 the right hand side
both the left and right hand can’t be written as 4 to
sides as 2 to the something. the something (using

2 
integer exponents)
2 x 3
2
So now that each side is written
2x 3
2 2 with the same base we know the
exponents must be equal.
 3
2 x  3 Check:
4
 
 2

1
3 1 1 1 8 1
x 3
 
2 8 2
4 8
3
4 2