Exponential Functions and Equation
◆ Exponential Functions
◆ Exponential Equation
Exponential Functions
Exponential Function
◆ The function defined by
is called an exponential
function with base b and
exponent x.
◆ The domain of f is the set of all
real numbers.
Example
◆ The exponential function with base 2 is
the function
with domain (– ∞, ∞).
◆ The values of f(x) for selected values of
x follow:
Example
◆ The exponential function with base 2 is the function
with domain (– ∞, ∞).
◆ The values of f(x) for selected values of x follow:
Laws of Exponents
◆ Let a and b be positive numbers and let x
and y be real numbers. Then,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Examples
◆ Let f(x) = 22x – 1. Find the value of x for
which f(x) = 16.
Solution
◆ We want to solve the equation
22x – 1 = 16 = 24
◆ But this equation holds if and only if
2x – 1 = 4
giving x = .
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential
function f(x) = 2x.
Solution
◆ First, recall that the domain of this
function is the set of real numbers.
◆ Next, putting x = 0 gives y = 20 = 1,
which is the y-intercept.
(There is no x-intercept, since there is no
value of x for which y = 0)
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = 2x.
Solution
◆ Now, consider a few values for x:
x –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8 16 32
◆ Note that 2x approaches zero as x decreases without bound:
✦ There is a horizontal asymptote at y = 0.
◆ Furthermore, 2x increases without bound when x increases
without bound.
◆ Thus, the range of f is the interval (0, ∞).
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = 2x.
Solution
◆ Finally, sketch the graph:
y
4
f(x) = 2x
x
–2 2
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function
f(x) = (1/2)x.
Solution
◆ First, recall again that the domain of this
function is the set of real numbers.
◆ Next, putting x = 0 gives y = (1/2)0 = 1, which
is the y-intercept.
(There is no x-intercept, since there is no
value of x for which y = 0)
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = (1/2)x.
Solution
◆ Now, consider a few values for x:
x –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 32 16 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32
◆ Note that (1/2)x increases without bound when x decreases
without bound.
◆ Furthermore, (1/2)x approaches zero as x increases without
bound: there is a horizontal asymptote at y = 0.
◆ As before, the range of f is the interval (0, ∞).
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = (1/2)x.
Solution
◆ Finally, sketch the graph:
y
4
f(x) = (1/2)x
x
–2 2
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = (1/2)x.
Solution
◆ Note the symmetry between the two functions:
y
4
f(x) = 2x
f(x) = (1/2)x
x
–2 2
Properties of Exponential Functions
◆ The exponential function y = bx (b > 0,
b ≠ 1) has the following properties:
1. Its domain is (– ∞, ∞).
2. Its range is (0, ∞).
3. Its graph passes through the point
(0, 1)
4. It is continuous on (– ∞, ∞).
5. It is increasing on (– ∞, ∞) if b > 1
and decreasing on (– ∞, ∞) if b < 1.
The Base e
◆ Exponential functions to the base e, where e is an
irrational number whose value is 2.7182818…,
play an important role in both theoretical and
applied problems.
◆ It can be shown that
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = ex.
Solution
◆ Since ex > 0 it follows that the graph of y = ex is similar to the
graph of y = 2x.
◆ Consider a few values for x:
x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
y 0.05 0.14 0.37 1 2.72 7.39 20.09
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = ex.
Solution
◆ Sketching the graph:
y
5 f(x) = ex
x
–3 –1 1 3
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = e–x.
Solution
◆ Since e–x > 0 it follows that 0 < 1/e < 1 and so
f(x) = e–x = 1/ex = (1/e)x is an exponential function with
base less than 1.
◆ Therefore, it has a graph similar to that of y = (1/2)x.
◆ Consider a few values for x:
x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
y 20.09 7.39 2.72 1 0.37 0.14 0.05
Examples
◆ Sketch the graph of the exponential function f(x) = e–x.
Solution
◆ Sketching the graph:
y
5
1
f(x) = e–x
x
–3 –1 1 3
Solving Exponential Equations
and Inequalities
Exponential Equation – unknown variables are
the exponents.
If two powers are equal and they have the same
base, then the exponents must be the same
ex. if bx = ay and a = b, then x = y.
If two powers are equal and they have the same
exponents, then the bases must be the same
ex. if bx = ay and x = y, then a = b.
To Solve Exponential Equations:
1. Rewrite the Equation/Inequality so that the
BASES are the same number.
a. If the base is a number, just break it down with a
factor tree.
b. If the base is a fraction, FIRST write as a whole
number by using negative exponents.
2. Once the bases are equal, you can set the
exponents equal to each other and solve.
3. Check your solution!
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