Exponential Functions

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An exponential function is a mathematical function, which is used in many real-world situations. It is

mainly used to find the exponential decay or exponential growth or to compute investments, model
populations and so on. In this article, you will learn about exponential function formulas, rules,
properties, graphs, derivatives, exponential series and examples.

Table of Contents:

Definition

Formula

Graph

Derivative

Series

Properties

Rules

Examples

Solved Problems

Practice Questions

What is Exponential Function?

An exponential function is a Mathematical function in the form f (x) = ax, where “x” is a variable and “a”
is a constant which is called the base of the function and it should be greater than 0. The most
commonly used exponential function base is the transcendental number e, which is approximately equal
to 2.71828.

Exponential Function Formula

An exponential function is defined by the formula f(x) = ax, where the input variable x occurs as an
exponent. The exponential curve depends on the exponential function and it depends on the value of
the x.

The exponential function is an important mathematical function which is of the form

f(x) = ax

Where a>0 and a is not equal to 1.

x is any real number.

If the variable is negative, the function is undefined for -1 < x < 1.

Here,

“x” is a variable

“a” is a constant, which is the base of the function.

An exponential curve grows, or decay depends on the exponential function. Any quantity that grows or
decays by a fixed per cent at regular intervals should possess either exponential growth or exponential
decay.

Exponential Growth

In Exponential Growth, the quantity increases very slowly at first, and then rapidly. The rate of change
increases over time. The rate of growth becomes faster as time passes. The rapid growth is meant to be
an “exponential increase”. The formula to define the exponential growth is:

y = a ( 1+ r )x

Where r is the growth percentage.

Exponential Decay

In Exponential Decay, the quantity decreases very rapidly at first, and then slowly. The rate of change
decreases over time. The rate of change becomes slower as time passes. The rapid growth meant to be
an “exponential decrease”. The formula to define the exponential growth is:

y = a ( 1- r )x

Where r is the decay percentage.

Introduction to Exponents

Difference Between Powers and Exponents

Exponential Distribution

Exponents and Powers Class 7

Exponents and Powers Class 8

Exponential Function Graph

The following figure represents the graph of exponents of x. It can be seen that as the exponent
increases, the curves get steeper and the rate of growth increases respectively. Thus, for x > 1, the value
of y = fn(x) increases for increasing values of (n).

Exponential functions graph 1

From the above, it can be seen that the nature of polynomial functions is dependent on their degree.
The higher the degree of any polynomial function, the higher its growth. A function which grows faster
than a polynomial function is y = f(x) = ax, where a>1. Thus, for any of the positive integers n the
function f (x) is said to grow faster than that of fn(x).

Thus, the exponential function having base greater than 1, i.e., a > 1 is defined as y = f(x) = ax. The
domain of exponential function will be the set of entire real numbers R and the range are said to be the
set of all the positive real numbers.

It must be noted that the exponential function is increasing and the point (0, 1) always lies on the graph
of an exponential function. Also, it is very close to zero if the value of x is mostly negative.

Exponential function having base 10 is known as a common exponential function. Consider the following
series:

Derivative of logarithmic and exponential function 5

The value of this series lies between 2 & 3. It is represented by e. Keeping e as the base of the function,
we get y = ex, which is a very important function in mathematics known as a natural exponential
function.

For a > 1, the logarithm of b to base a is x if ax = b. Thus, loga b = x if ax = b. This function is known as
logarithmic function.

Exponential functions graph 2

For base a = 10, this function is known as a common logarithm and for the base a = e, it is known as a
natural logarithm denoted by ln x. Following are some of the important observations regarding
logarithmic functions which have a base a>1.

The domain of log function consists of positive real numbers only, as we cannot interpret the meaning of
log functions for negative values.

For the log function, though the domain is only the set of positive real numbers, the range is a set of all
real values, i.e. R

When we plot the graph of log functions and move from left to right, the functions show increasing
behaviour.

The graph of log function never cuts the x-axis or y-axis, though it seems to tend toward them.

Exponential functions graph 3

Logap = α, logbp = β and logba = µ, then aα = p, bβ = p and bµ = a

Logbpq = Logbp + Logbq

Logbpy = ylogbp

Logb (p/q) = logbp – logbq

Exponential Function Derivative

Let us now focus on the derivative of exponential functions.

The derivative of ex with respect to x is ex, i.e. d(ex)/dx = ex

It is noted that the exponential function f(x) =ex has a special property. It means that the derivative of
the function is the function itself.

(i.e) f ‘(x) = ex = f(x)

Exponential Series

The exponential series are given below.

Exponential Series

Exponential Function Properties

The exponential graph of a function represents the exponential function properties.

Let us consider the exponential function, y = 2x

The graph of function y = 2x is shown below.

Exponential functions graph Example 1

Exponential Function Graph for y = 2x

The properties of the exponential function graph when the base is greater than 1 are given below.

The graph passes through the point (0,1).

The domain is all real numbers

The range is y>0

The graph is increasing

The graph is asymptotic to the x-axis as x approaches negative infinity

The graph increases without bound as x approaches positive infinity

The graph is continuous

The graph is smooth

Exponential functions graph Example 2

Exponential Function Graph y=2-x

The graph of function y=2-x is shown above. The properties of the exponential function and its graph
when the base is between 0 and 1 are given.

The line passes through the point (0,1)

The domain includes all real numbers

The range is of y>0

It forms a decreasing graph

The line in the graph above is asymptotic to the x-axis as x approaches positive infinity

The line increases without bound as x approaches negative infinity

It is a continuous graph

It forms a smooth graph

Exponential Function Rules

Some important exponential rules are given below:

If a>0, and b>0, the following hold true for all the real numbers x and y:

ax ay = ax+y

ax/ay = ax-y

(ax)y = axy

axbx=(ab)x
(a/b)x= ax/bx

a0=1

a-x= 1/ ax

Exponential Functions Examples

The examples of exponential functions are:

f(x) = 2x

f(x) = 1/ 2x = 2-x

f(x) = 2x+3

f(x) = 0.5x

Solved Problems

Question 1:

Simplify the exponential function 2x – 2x+1

Solution:

Given exponential function: 2x – 2x+1

By using the property: ax ay = ax+y

Hence, 2x+1 can be written as 2x. 2

Thus the given function is written as:

2x-2x+1 = 2x-2x. 2

Now, factor out the term 2x

2x-2x+1 = 2x-2x. 2 = 2x(1-2)

2x-2x+1 = 2x(-1)

2x-2x+1 = – 2x

Therefore, the simplification of the given exponential function 2x – 2x+1 is – 2x.

Question 2:

Solve the exponential equation: (¼)x = 64

Solution:

Given exponential equation is:

(¼)x = 64

Using the exponential rule (a/b)x = ax/bx, we get;

1x/4x = 43

1/4x = 43 [since 1x = 1]

(1)(4-x) = 43

4-x = 43

Here, bases are equal.

So, by equating the powersm we have;

x = -3

Practice Questions

Graph an exponential function (⅓)x – 1.

Solve for x: 8(4x-1) = 45x

Solve the exponential equation for x: -5x-3 = 25/40

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