7.

1
Characteristics of
Exponential Functions
Focus on…
• analysing graphs of exponential functions
• solving problems that involve exponential
growth or decay

The following ancient fable from India has several variations, but
Amount of
each makes the same point. Rice on
32nd Square
When the creator of the game of chess showed his invention to the ruler
of the country, the ruler was so pleased that he gave the inventor the
right to name his prize for the invention. The man, who was very wise,
asked the king that he be given one grain of rice for the first square of the 4.7 m
chessboard, two for the second one, four for the third one, and so on. The
ruler quickly accepted the inventor’s offer, believing the man had made a
mistake in not asking for more.

By the time he was compensated for half the chessboard, the man owned all of 8m
the rice in the country, and, by the sixty-fourth square, the ruler owed him almost
20 000 000 000 000 000 000 grains of rice.

The final amount of rice is approximately equal to the volume of a

mountain 140 times as tall as Mount Everest. This is an example of
how things grow exponentially. What exponential function can be used
to model this situation?

Investigate Characteristics of Exponential Functions

Materials Explore functions of the form y = cx.

• graphing technology 1. Consider the function y = 2x.
a) Graph the function.
b) Describe the shape of the graph.
2. Determine the following and justify your reasoning.
a) the domain and the range of the function y = 2x
b) the y-intercept
c) the x-intercept
d) the equation of the horizontal line (asymptote) that the graph
approaches as the values of x get very small

334 MHR • Chapter 7

 3. Select at least two different values for c in y = cx that are greater
than 2. Graph your functions. Compare each graph to the graph
of y = 2x. Describe how the graphs are similar and how they
are different.
4. Select at least two different values for c in y = cx that are between
0 and 1. Graph your functions. How have the graphs changed
compared to those from steps 2 and 3?
5. Predict what the graph will look like if c < 0. Confirm your
prediction using a table of values and a graph.

Reflect and Respond

6. a) Summarize how the value of c affects the shape and
characteristics of the graph of y = cx.
b) Predict what will happen when c = 1. Explain.

Link the Ideas

The graph of an exponential function, such as y = c x, is increasing for exponential

c > 1, decreasing for 0 < c < 1, and neither increasing nor decreasing function
for c = 1. From the graph, you can determine characteristics such as • a function of the form
domain and range, any intercepts, and any asymptotes. y = c x , where c is a
constant (c > 0) and
x is a variable
y y
y = c x, y = c x,
c>1 0<c<1
Why is the definition of an
exponential function restricted
(0, 1) to positive values of c?
(0, 1)

0 x 0 x

Increasing Decreasing

D id Yo u K n ow?

Any letter can be used to represent the base in an exponential function.

Some other common forms are y = a x and y = b x. In this chapter, you will
use the letter c. This is to avoid any confusion with the transformation
parameters, a, b, h, and k, that you will apply in Section 7.2.

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 335

 Example 1
Analyse the Graph of an Exponential Function
Graph each exponential function. Then identify the following:
• the domain and range
• the x-intercept and y-intercept, if they exist
• whether the graph represents an increasing or a decreasing function
• the equation of the horizontal asymptote
a) y = 4x
x
b) f(x) = _( )
1
2
Solution
a) Method 1: Use Paper and Pencil
Use a table of values to graph the function.
Select integral values of x that make it easy to calculate the
corresponding values of y for y = 4x.
y
x y
1
_ 18
-2
16
(2, 16)
1
_ 16
-1
4
y = 4x
0 1 14

1 4 12
2 16
10

6
(1, 4)
4

(-2, 16_1 ) (-1, 14_ )

2
(0, 1)
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 x

Method 2: Use a Graphing Calculator

Use a graphing calculator to graph y = 4x.

336 MHR • Chapter 7

 The function is defined for all values of x. Therefore, the domain
is {x | x ∈ R}.
The function has only positive values for y. Therefore, the range
is {y | y > 0, y ∈ R}.
The graph never intersects the x-axis, so there is no x-intercept.
The graph crosses the y-axis at y = 1, so the y-intercept is 1.
The graph rises to the right throughout its domain, indicating that the
values of y increase as the values of x increase. Therefore, the function
is increasing over its domain.
Since the graph approaches the line y = 0 as the values of x get very
small, y = 0 is the equation of the horizontal asymptote.

b) Method 1: Use Paper and Pencil

Use a table of values to graph the function.
Select integral values of x that make it easy to calculate the
x
corresponding values of y for f(x) = _
2 ( )
1 .

f(x)
x f (x)
( )
x

-3 8
10 f(x) = 1
_
2
-2 4 8
(-3, 8)
-1 2
6
0 1
1 4
1 _ (-2, 4)
2
2
1
_
4
(-1, 2)
2 (1, 12_ ) (2, 14_ )
(0, 1)
-4 -2 0 2 4 x

Method 2: Use a Graphing Calculator

x
1 .
Use a graphing calculator to graph f (x) = _
2 ( )

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 337

 The function is defined for all values of x. Therefore, the domain
is {x | x ∈ R}.
The function has only positive values for y. Therefore, the range
is {y | y > 0, y ∈ R}.
The graph never intersects the x-axis, so there is no x-intercept.
The graph crosses the y-axis at y = 1, so the Why do the graphs
y-intercept is 1. of these exponential
functions have a
The graph falls to the right throughout its y-intercept of 1?
domain, indicating that the values of y decrease
as the values of x increase. Therefore, the function
is decreasing over its domain.
Since the graph approaches the line y = 0 as the values of x get very
large, y = 0 is the equation of the horizontal asymptote.

Your Turn
Graph the exponential function y = 3x without technology. Identify the
following:
• the domain and range
• the x-intercept and the y-intercept, if they exist
• whether the graph represents an increasing or a decreasing function
• the equation of the horizontal asymptote
Verify your results using graphing technology.

Example 2
Write the Exponential Function Given Its Graph
What function of the form y = cx can be used to describe the graph shown?
y
(-2, 16)
16

12

4
(-1, 4)
(0, 1)
-4 -2 0 2 4 x

338 MHR • Chapter 7

Solution
Look for a pattern in the ordered pairs from the graph.

x y
-2 16
-1 4
0 1

As the value of x increases by 1 unit, the value of y decreases by a

1 . Therefore, for this function, c = _
factor of _ 1.
4 4
Choose a point other than (0, 1) to substitute into Why should you not
x use the point (0, 1)
the function y = _
4 ( )
1 to verify that the function is
to verify that the
correct. Try the point (-2, 16). function is correct?

Check:
Left Side Right Side
x
y ( )
1
_
4
= 16
( )
1 -2
= _
4 ()
Why is the power with a negative exponent, _ ,
1 -2
4
= 12
_
equivalent to the reciprocal of the power with a
( )
1
_
4
1
positive exponent, _2 ?
()1
_

( )
2
= 4
_ 4
1
= 16
The right side equals the left side, so the function that describes the
x
graph is y = _1 .
4 ( ) What is another way of expressing
this exponential function?

Your Turn
What function of the form y = cx can be used to describe the graph
shown?
y

30
(2, 25)
20

10
(1, 5)
(0, 1)
-4 -2 0 2 4 x

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 339

 Exponential functions of the form y = cx, where c > 1, can be used to
exponential growth model exponential growth. Exponential functions with 0 < c < 1 can be
• an increasing pattern used to model exponential decay.
of values that can be
modelled by a function
of the form y = c x ,
where c > 1 Example 3
exponential decay Application of an Exponential Function
• a decreasing pattern
A radioactive sample of radium (Ra-225) m
of values that can be

Mass of Ra-225 Remaining (g)

modelled by a function has a half-life of 15 days. The mass, m, 1.0
of the form y = c x , in grams, of Ra-225 remaining over time,
where 0 < c < 1 t, in 15-day intervals, can be modelled 0.8

half-life using the exponential graph shown. 0.6

a) What is the initial mass of Ra-225 (1, 0.5)
• the length of time for
in the sample? What value does the 0.4
an unstable element to
spontaneously decay mass of Ra-225 remaining approach (2, 0.25)
0.2
to one half its original as time passes? (3, 0.125)
mass
b) What are the domain and range of
0 2 4 6 8 t
this function? Time (15-day intervals)
c) Write the exponential decay model
that relates the mass of Ra-225
remaining to time, in 15-day intervals.
1
d) Estimate how many days it would take for Ra-225 to decay to _ of its
30
original mass.

Solution
a) From the graph, the m-intercept is 1. So, the initial mass of Ra-225 in
the sample is 1 g.
The graph is decreasing by a constant factor over time, representing
exponential decay. It appears to approach m = 0 or 0 g of Ra-225
remaining in the sample.

b) From the graph, the domain of the function is {t | t ≥ 0, t ∈ R}, and the
range of the function is {m | 0 < m ≤ 1, m ∈ R}.

c) The exponential decay model that relates the Why is the base
mass of Ra-225 remaining to time, in 15-day of the exponential
1
function _ ?
( )
1 t.
intervals, is the function m(t) = _
2
2

340 MHR • Chapter 7

d) Method 1: Use the Graph of the Function
1 of 1 g is equivalent to 0.0333… or
_ m
30

Mass of Ra-225 Remaining (g)

approximately 0.03 g. Locate this 1.0
approximate value on the vertical
0.8
axis of the graph and draw a
horizontal line until it intersects the 0.6
(1, 0.5)
graph of the exponential function.
0.4
The horizontal line appears to (2, 0.25)
0.2
intersect the graph at the point (3, 0.125)
(5, 0.03)
(5, 0.03). Therefore, it takes
0 2 4 6 8 t
approximately five 15-day
Time (15-day intervals)
intervals, or 75 days, for Ra-225 to
decay to _ 1 of its original mass.
30
Method 2: Use a Table of Values
1 of 1 g is equivalent to _
_ 1 g or approximately 0.0333 g.
30 30

( )
1 t.
Create a table of values for m(t) = _
2 t m
The table shows that the number of 15-day 1 0.5

intervals is between 4 and 5. You can 2 0.25

determine a better estimate by looking at 3 0.125
values between these numbers. 4 0.0625

Since 0.0333 is much closer to 0.031 25, 5 0.031 25

( )
1 4.8 ≈ 0.0359. This is greater than
try 4.8: _
2
6 0.015 625

0.0333.

( )
1 4.9 ≈ 0.0335.
Try 4.9: _
2
Therefore, it will take approximately 4.9 15-day intervals, or
73.5 days, for Ra-225 to decay to _1 of its original mass.
30
D i d You K n ow?
Your Turn Exponential functions
can be used to model
Under ideal circumstances, a certain bacteria B
situations involving
population triples every week. This is 16 continuous or discrete
Number of Bacteria

modelled by the following exponential graph. data. For example,

12 problems involving
a) What are the domain and range of this radioactive decay are
(2, 9)
function? 8 based on continuous
data, while those
b) Write the exponential growth model that
4 involving populations
relates the number, B, of bacteria to the (1, 3)
are based on discrete
(0, 1)
time, t, in weeks. t
data. In the case of
0 1 2 3 discrete data, the
c) Determine approximately how many days Time (weeks) continuous model will
it would take for the number of bacteria only be valid for a
to increase to eight times the quantity on restricted domain.
day 1.

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 341

 Key Ideas

An exponential function of the form y y

y = cx, c > 0, 8 8
y = 2x
()
x
! is increasing for c > 1 y= 1
_
6 6 2
! is decreasing for 0 < c < 1
4 4
! is neither increasing nor decreasing
for c = 1 2 2
! has a domain of {x | x ∈ R}
-2 0 2 4 x -2 0 2 4 x
! has a range of {y | y > 0, y ∈ R}
! has a y-intercept of 1
! has no x-intercept
! has a horizontal asymptote at y = 0

Check Your Understanding

Practise 3. Match each exponential function to its

1. Decide whether each of the following corresponding graph.
functions is exponential. Explain how a) y = 5x
x
you can tell.
a) y = x3
1
b) y = _ (4)
x
y = (_
3)
c)
2
b) y = 6 x
1
_
c) y = x 2 A y

d) y = 0.75 x 4

2. Consider the following exponential 2

functions:
• f (x) = 4x -4 -2 0 2 4 x
x
• g(x) = _ ( )
1
4
• h(x) = 2x B y

4
a) Which is greatest when x = 5?
b) Which is greatest when x = -5? 2

c) For which value of x do all three

-4 -2 0 2 4 x
functions have the same value?
What is this value?
C y

-2 0 2 4 6 x

342 MHR • Chapter 7

4. Write the function equation for each graph 7. A flu virus is spreading through the
of an exponential function. student population of a school according
a) y to the function N = 2t, where N is the
(2, 9) number of people infected and t is the
8
time, in days.
6 a) Graph the function. Explain why the
4 function is exponential.
(1, 3)
b) How many people have the virus at
2
(0, 1) each time?
i) at the start when t = 0
-4 -2 0 2 4 x
ii) after 1 day
iii) after 4 days
b) y
(-2, 25)
iv) after 10 days
20

10
(-1, 5) (0, 1)
-4 -2 0 2 4 x

5. Sketch the graph of each exponential

function. Identify the domain and range,
the y-intercept, whether the function is
increasing or decreasing, and the equation
of the horizontal asymptote.
a) g(x) = 6x
b) h(x) = 3.2x
x

( 10 )
1
c) f(x) = _ 8. If a given population has a constant growth
x rate over time and is never limited by
d) k(x) = ( _ )
3
4 food or disease, it exhibits exponential
growth. In this situation, the growth rate
Apply alone controls how quickly (or slowly) the
6. Each of the following situations can be population grows. If a population, P, of
modelled using an exponential function. fish, in hundreds, experiences exponential
Indicate which situations require a value growth at a rate of 10% per year, it can be
of c > 1 (growth) and which require a modelled by the exponential function
value of 0 < c < 1 (decay). Explain your P(t) = 1.1t, where t is time, in years.
choices. a) Why is the base for the exponential
a) Bacteria in a Petri dish double their function that models this situation 1.1?
number every hour. b) Graph the function P(t) = 1.1t. What are
b) The half-life of the radioactive isotope the domain and range of the function?
actinium-225 is 10 days. c) If the same population of fish decreased
c) As light passes through every 1-m depth at a rate of 5% per year, how would the
of water in a pond, the amount of light base of the exponential model change?
available decreases by 20%. d) Graph the new function from part c).
d) The population of an insect colony What are the domain and range of
triples every day. this function?

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 343

 9. Scuba divers know that the deeper they 11. Money in a savings account earns
dive, the more light is absorbed by the compound interest at a rate of 1.75%
water above them. On a dive, Petra’s light per year. The amount, A, of money in
meter shows that the amount of light an account can be modelled by the
available decreases by 10% for every 10 m exponential function A = P(1.0175)n,
that she descends. where P is the amount of money first
deposited into the savings account and n
is the number of years the money remains
in the account.
a) Graph this function using a value of
P = $1 as the initial deposit.
b) Approximately how long will it take for
the deposit to triple in value?
c) Does the amount of time it takes for a
deposit to triple depend on the value of
a) Write the exponential function that the initial deposit? Explain.
relates the amount, L, as a percent d) In finance, the rule of 72 is a method
expressed as a decimal, of light available of estimating an investment’s doubling
to the depth, d, in 10-m increments. time when interest is compounded
b) Graph the function. annually. The number 72 is divided by
c) What are the domain and range of the the annual interest rate to obtain the
function for this situation? approximate number of years required
for doubling. Use your graph and the
d) What percent of light will reach Petra if
rule of 72 to approximate the doubling
she dives to a depth of 25 m?
time for this investment.
10. The CANDU (CANada Deuterium
12. Statistics indicate that the world
Uranium) reactor is a Canadian-invented
population since 1995 has been growing
pressurized heavy-water reactor that uses
at a rate of about 1.27% per year. United
uranium-235 (U-235) fuel with a half-life
Nations records estimate that the world
of approximately 700 million years.
population in 2011 was approximately
a) What exponential function can be
7 billion. Assuming the same exponential
used to represent the radioactive growth rate, when will the population of
decay of 1 kg of U-235? Define the the world be 9 billion?
variables you use.
b) Graph the function. Extend
c) How long will it take for 1 kg of U-235 13. a) On the same set of axes, sketch the
to decay to 0.125 kg? graph of the function y = 5x, and then
d) Will the sample in part c) decay to sketch the graph of the inverse of the
0 kg? Explain. function by reflecting its graph in the
line y = x.
D id Yo u Know?
b) How do the characteristics of the graph
Canada is one of the world’s leading uranium of the inverse of the function relate to
producers, accounting for 18% of world primary the characteristics of the graph of the
production. All of the uranium produced in Canada
comes from Saskatchewan mines. The energy
original exponential function?
potential of Saskatchewan’s uranium reserves is c) Express the equation of the inverse of
approximately equivalent to 4.5 billion tonnes of
the exponential function in terms of y.
coal or 17.5 billion barrels of oil.
That is, write x = F(y).

344 MHR • Chapter 7

14. The Krumbein phi scale is used in geology b) Use graphing technology to estimate the
to classify sediments such as silt, sand, doubling period using the compound
and gravel by particle size. The scale is interest formula A = P(1 + i )n.
modelled by the function D(φ) = 2−φ, c) How do the results in parts a) and b)
where D is the diameter of the particle, compare? Which method results in a
in millimetres, and φ is the Krumbein shorter doubling period?
scale value. Fine sand has a Krumbein
scale value of approximately 3. Coarse D i d You K n ow ?
gravel has a Krumbein scale value of The number e is irrational because it cannot be
approximately -5. expressed as a ratio of integers. It is sometimes
called Euler’s number after the Swiss mathematician
Leonhard Euler (pronounced “oiler”).

Create Connections
C1 Consider the functions f(x) = 3x, g(x) = x3,
and h(x) = 3x.
a) Graph each function.
b) List the key features for each function:
domain and range, intercepts, and
equations of any asymptotes.
c) Identify key features that are common
to each function.
A sampler showing
grains sorted from silt to very coarse sand. d) Identify key features that are different
for each function.
a) Why would a coarse material have a
C2 Consider the function f(x) = (-2)x.
negative scale value?
a) Copy and complete the table of values.
b) How does the diameter of fine sand
compare with the diameter of coarse x f (x)
gravel? 0
15. Typically, compound interest for a savings 1
account is calculated every month and 2
deposited into the account at that time. The
3
interest could also be calculated daily, or
4
hourly, or even by the second. When the
period of time is infinitesimally small, the 5
interest calculation is called continuous b) Plot the ordered pairs.
compounding. The exponential function
c) Do the points form a smooth curve?
that models this situation is A(t) = Pert,
Explain.
where P is the amount of the initial deposit,
r is the annual rate of interest as a decimal 1
d) Use technology to try to evaluate f _ (2)
value, t is the number of years, and e is the
base (approximately equal to 2.7183). and f _
2 ( )
5 . Use numerical reasoning to

a) Use graphing technology to estimate the explain why these values are undefined.
doubling period, assuming an annual e) Use these results to explain why
interest rate of 2% and continuous exponential functions are defined to
compounding. only include positive bases.

7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions • MHR 345

 7.2
Transformations of
Exponential Functions
Focus on…
• applying translations, stretches, and reflections to the graphs
of exponential functions
• representing these transformations in the equations of
exponential functions
• solving problems that involve exponential growth or decay

Transformations of exponential functions are used

to model situations such as population growth,
carbon dating of samples found at archaeological Taking a sample for carbon dating
digs, the physics of nuclear chain reactions, and
the processing power of computers.
In this section, you will examine transformations
of exponential functions and the impact the
transformations have on the corresponding graph.

Did Yo u Know ?

Moore’s law describes a trend in the history of computing

hardware. It states that the number of transistors that can
be placed on an integrated circuit will double approximately
every 2 years. The trend has continued for over half a
century. D-wave wafer processor

Investigate Transforming an Exponential Function

Materials Apply your prior knowledge of transformations to predict the effects of

• graphing technology translations, stretches, and reflections on exponential functions of the
form f(x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k and their associated graphs.
A: The Effects of Parameters h and k on the Function
f(x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k
1. a) Graph each set of functions on one set of coordinate axes. Sketch
the graphs in your notebook.
Set A Set B
i) f(x) = 3 x
i) f (x) = 2x
ii) f(x) = 3x + 2 ii) f(x) = 2x − 3
iii) f(x) = 3x - 4 iii) f (x) = 2x + 1

346 MHR • Chapter 7

 b) Compare the graphs in set A. For any constant k, describe the
relationship between the graphs of f(x) = 3x and f (x) = 3x + k.
c) Compare the graphs in set B. For any constant h, describe the
relationship between the graphs of f (x) = 2x and f (x) = 2x − h.

Reflect and Respond

2. Describe the roles of the parameters h and k in functions of the form
f(x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k.

B: The Effects of Parameters a and b on the Function

f (x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k
3. a) Graph each set of functions on one set of coordinate axes. Sketch
the graphs in your notebook.
Set C Set D
x
i) f(x) = ( )
1
_
2
i) f(x) = 2x
x
ii) f(x) = ( )
3 _1 ii) f(x) = 23x
2
x
iii) f(x) = ( )
3 _
_ 1 1x
_
iii) f(x) = 23
4 2
x What effect does the negative
iv) f(x) = ( )
-4 _ 1
2
iv) f(x) = 2-2x sign have on the graph?
x

( )
1 1 2x
-_
v) f (x) = -_ _ v) f(x) = 2 3
3 2
b) Compare the graphs in set C. For any real value a, describe the
x x
relationship between the graphs of f(x) = _
2 ( )
1 and f (x) = a _ 1 .
2 ( )
c) Compare the graphs in set D. For any real value b, describe the
relationship between the graphs of f (x) = 2x and f (x) = 2bx.

Reflect and Respond

4. Describe the roles of the parameters a and b in functions of the
form f(x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k.

7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 347

 Link the Ideas

The graph of a function of the form f(x) = a(c)b(x − h) + k is obtained by

applying transformations to the graph of the base function y = cx, where
c > 0.

Parameter Transformation Example

a • Vertical stretch about the x-axis by a y
factor of |a| y = 3x
4
• For a < 0, reflection in the x-axis y = 4(3) x

• (x, y) → (x, ay) 2

-4 -2 0 2 4 x
-2
y = -2(3)x
-4

b • Horizontal stretch about the y-axis by y

1
a factor of _ y = 23x y = 2x
|b| 4
• For b < 0, reflection in the y-axis
x 2
( )
• (x, y) → _ , y
b
y = 2-0.5x

-4 -2 0 2 4 x

k • Vertical translation up or down y

• (x, y) → (x, y + k)
4
y = 4x + 2
2
y = 4x
-4 -2 0 2 4 x
-2
y = 4x - 3
-4

h • Horizontal translation left or right y

• (x, y) → (x + h, y)
4
y = 6x + 2 y = 6x
2
y = 6x - 3
-4 -2 0 2 4 x

348 MHR • Chapter 7

An accurate sketch of a transformed graph is How does this
obtained by applying the transformations compare to your
past experience with
represented by a and b before the transformations transformations?
represented by h and k.

Example 1
Apply Transformations to Sketch a Graph
Consider the base function y = 3x. For each transformed function,
i) state the parameters and describe the corresponding transformations
ii) create a table to show what happens to the given points under
each transformation

y = 3x

(-1, 31 )
_

(0, 1)
(1, 3)
(2, 9)
(3, 27)

iii) sketch the graph of the base function and the transformed function
iv) describe the effects on the domain, range, equation of the horizontal
asymptote, and intercepts
a) y = 2(3)x − 4
1
b) y = - _ (3) 5 - 5
1x
_

2
Solution
a) i) Compare the function y = 2(3)x − 4 to y = a(c)b(x − h) + k to determine
the values of the parameters.
• b = 1 corresponds to no horizontal stretch.
• a = 2 corresponds to a vertical stretch of factor 2. Multiply the
y-coordinates of the points in column 1 by 2.
• h = 4 corresponds to a translation of 4 units to the right. Add 4
to the x-coordinates of the points in column 2.
• k = 0 corresponds to no vertical translation.
ii) Add columns to the table representing the transformations.

y = 3x y = 2(3)x y = 2(3)x − 4

(-1, 31 )
_
(-1, 32 )
_
(3, 32 )
_

(0, 1) (0, 2) (4, 2)

(1, 3) (1, 6) (5, 6)
(2, 9) (2, 18) (6, 18)
(3, 27) (3, 54) (7, 54)

7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 349

 iii) To sketch the graph, plot the points from column 3 and draw a
smooth curve through them.
y
y = 3x y = 2(3)x - 4
60
(7, 54)
50

40

30

20
(6, 18)
10
(5, 6)

-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 x
-10 ( ) 2 (4, 2)
3, _
3

iv) The domain remains the same: {x | x ∈ R}.

The range also remains unchanged: {y | y > 0, y ∈ R}.

The equation of the asymptote remains as y = 0.

There is still no x-intercept, but the y-intercept changes to _2 or

81
approximately 0.025.

b)
1 _1 x
i) Compare the function y = - _ (3) 5 - 5 to y = a(c)b(x − h) + k to
2
determine the values of the parameters.
•b=_ 1 corresponds to a horizontal stretch of factor 5. Multiply
5
the x-coordinates of the points in column 1 by 5.
• a = -_ 1 and
1 corresponds to a vertical stretch of factor _
2 2
a reflection in the x-axis. Multiply the y-coordinates of the
points in column 2 by - _ 1.
2
• h = 0 corresponds to no horizontal translation.
• k = -5 corresponds to a translation of 5 units down. Subtract 5
from the y-coordinates of the points in column 3.

350 MHR • Chapter 7

 ii) Add columns to the table representing the transformations.

y = 3x y = 35
1
_
x 1 (3) 5
y = -_
1
_
x 1 (3) 5 - 5
y = -_
1
_
x

2 2
(-1, 31 )
_
(-5, 31 )
_
(-5, - 61 )
_
(-5, - 316 )
_

(0, 1) (0, 1) (0, - 21 )

_
(0, - 112 )
_

(1, 3) (5, 3) (5, - 23 )

_
(5, - 132 )
_

(2, 9) (10, 9) (10, - 29 )

_
(10, - 192 )
_

(3, 27) (15, 27) (15, - 272 )

_
(15, - 372 )
_

iii) To sketch the graph, plot y

the points from column 4 24
and draw a smooth curve
20
through them.
16
y = 3x
12

Why do the exponential 4

curves have different
horizontal asymptotes?
-8 -4 0 4 8 12 16 20 x
-4
(
5, - 13
_
2 )
(-5, -31
_
6 ) -8 (10, -19_2)
-12
(0, -11_2)
-16
(15, -37_2)
-20
1
_x
y = -1
_ (3) 5 - 5
-24 2

iv) The domain remains the same: {x | x ∈ R}.

The range changes to {y | y < -5, y ∈ R} because the graph of the

transformed function only exists below the line y = -5.
The equation of the asymptote changes to y = -5.
11
There is still no x-intercept, but the y-intercept changes to - _
2
or -5.5.

Your Turn
Transform the graph of y = 4x to sketch the graph of y = 4-2(x + 5) - 3.
Describe the effects on the domain, range, equation of the horizontal
asymptote, and intercepts.

7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 351

 Example 2
Use Transformations of an Exponential Function to Model a Situation
A cup of water is heated to 100 °C T
and then allowed to cool in a room 100
with an air temperature of 20 °C. The

Temperature (°C)
temperature, T, in degrees Celsius, is 80
measured every minute as a function 60
of time, m, in minutes, and these
points are plotted on a coordinate 40
grid. It is found that the temperature
20
of the water decreases exponentially at
a rate of 25% every 5 min. A smooth
0 20 40 60 80 100 m
curve is drawn through the points, Time (min)
resulting in the graph shown.
a) What is the transformed exponential function in the form
y = a(c)b(x − h) + k that can be used to represent this situation?
b) Describe how each of the parameters in the transformed function
relates to the information provided.
Solution
a) Since the water temperature decreases by 25% Why is the base of the
3
for each 5-min time interval, the base function exponential function _
4
must be T(t) = _
4 ( )
3 t, where T is the when the temperature is
reduced by 25%?
temperature and t is the time, in 5-min
intervals.
What is the value of
The exponent t can be replaced by the rational m
the exponent _ when
exponent _m , where m represents the number 5
5 m = 5? How does this
m
of minutes: T(m) = _3 _5 .
4 ( ) relate to the exponent t
in the first version of the
function?

The asymptote at T = 20 means that the function has been translated

vertically upward 20 units. This is represented in the function as
m
3
( )
_
T(m) = _ 5
+ 20.
4
The T-intercept of the graph occurs at (0, 100). So, there must be a
vertical stretch factor, a. Use the coordinates of the T-intercept to
determine a.
m

( )
T(m) = a _ 3 _5 + 20
4
( )
0
100 = a 3 5 + 20
_
_
4
100 = a(1) + 20
80 = a
m
Substitute a = 80 into the function: T(m) = 80 _ 3 _5 + 20.
4 ( )

352 MHR • Chapter 7

 Check: Substitute m = 20 into the function. Compare the result to
the graph.
m

( )
3 _5 + 20
T(m) = 80 _
4
( )
20
T(20) = 80 3
_
_
5 + 20
4
( )
3 4 + 20
= 80 _
4
(
= 80 81 + 20
_
256 )
= 45.3125
From the graph, the value of T when m = 20 is approximately 45.
This matches the calculated value. Therefore, the transformed
function that models the water temperature as it cools is
m

( )
T(m) = 80 _3 _5 + 20.
4
b) Based on the function y = a(c)b(x − h) + k, the parameters of the
transformed function are
•b=_ 1 , representing the interval of time, 5 min, over which a 25%
5
decrease in temperature of the water occurs
• a = 80, representing the difference between the initial temperature
of the heated cup of water and the air temperature of the room
• h = 0, representing the start time of the cooling process
• k = 20, representing the air temperature of the room

Your Turn
The radioactive element americium (Am) is used in household
smoke detectors. Am-241 has a half-life of approximately 432 years.
The average smoke detector contains 200 µg of Am-241.
A D i d You K n ow?
200
Amount of Am-241 (µg)

In SI units, the symbol

“µg” represents a
160
microgram, or one
millionth of a gram. In
120
the medical field, the
symbol “mcg” is used
80
to avoid any confusion
with milligrams (mg)
40
in written prescriptions.

0 900 1800 2700 t

Time (years)

a) What is the transformed exponential function that models the graph

showing the radioactive decay of 200 µg of Am-241?
b) Identify how each of the parameters of the function relates to the
transformed graph.

7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 353

 Key Ideas

To sketch the graph of an exponential function of the form y = a(c)b(x − h) + k,

apply transformations to the graph of y = cx, where c > 0. The transformations
represented by a and b may be applied in any order before the transformations
represented by h and k.
The parameters a, b, h, and k in exponential functions of the form
y = a(c)b(x − h) + k correspond to the following transformations:
! a corresponds to a vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of |a| and, if
a < 0, a reflection in the x-axis.
! b corresponds to a horizontal stretch about the y-axis by a factor of _ 1 and,
|b|
if b < 0, a reflection in the y-axis.
! h corresponds to a horizontal translation left or right.
! k corresponds to a vertical translation up or down.
Transformed exponential functions can be used to model real-world
applications of exponential growth or decay.

Check Your Understanding

Practise 3. For each function, identify the

1. Match each function with the parameters a, b, h, and k and the type
corresponding transformation of y = 3 . x of transformation that corresponds to
a) y = 2(3)x b) y = 3x − 2 each parameter.
x
c) y = 3x + 4 d) y = 3 5
_
a) f (x) = 2(3)x - 4

A translation up b) g(x) = 6x − 2 + 3

B horizontal stretch c) m(x) = -4(3)x + 5

1
(2)
3(x - 1)
C vertical stretch d) y = _
D translation right 1
e) n(x) = - _ (5)2(x − 4) + 3
2. Match each function with the 2
x
3 .
( ) (3)
2x - 2
corresponding transformation of y = _ 2
f) y = - _
x
5
a) y = _
5( )
3 x+1 b) y = - _
3
5( ) g) y = 1.5(0.75)
x-4
_
2
5
-_
2
-x x
c) y = _
3
5( ) 3
( )
d) y = _ - 2
5
A reflection in the x-axis
B reflection in the y-axis
C translation down
D translation left

354 MHR • Chapter 7

4. Without using technology, match each 5. The graph of y = 4x is transformed to
graph with the corresponding function. 1 (4)−(x − 3) + 2.
obtain the graph of y = _
Justify your choice. 2
a) What are the parameters and
a) y
corresponding transformations?
4
b) Copy and complete the table.
2 _
1 _
1
y = 4x y = 4−x y = 2 (4) y = (4)−(x − 3) + 2
−x
2
-4 -2 0 2 4 x
(-2, 161 )
_

-2

-4
(-1, 41 )
_

(0, 1)
(1, 4)
b) y
(2, 16)
4
1
c) Sketch the graph of y = _ (4)−(x − 3) + 2.
2
2
d) Identify the domain, range, equation
of the horizontal asymptote, and any
-4 -2 0 2 4 x
intercepts for the function
-2
y=_ 1 (4)−(x − 3) + 2.
2
-4
6. For each function,
i) state the parameters a, b, h, and k
c) y ii) describe the transformation that
4 corresponds to each parameter
iii) sketch the graph of the function
2
iv) identify the domain, range, equation
-4 -2 0 2 4 x of the horizontal asymptote, and any
-2 intercepts
a) y = 2(3)x + 4
-4
b) m(r) = -(2)r − 3 + 2
1
c) y = _ (4)x + 1 + 1
d) y 3
( )
1s
1 1
d) n(s) = - _ _
_
4 -3
4
2 3
2
Apply
-4 -2 0 2 4 x 7. Describe the transformations that must be
-2
applied to the graph of each exponential
function f(x) to obtain the transformed
-4 function. Write each transformed function
in the form y = a(c)b(x − h) + k.
x
A y = 32(x − 1) - 2
1
( )
a) f (x) = _ , y = f(x - 2) + 1
2
B y=2 x−2
+1 b) f(x) = 5x, y = -0.5f (x - 3)
(2)
1x
1
y=- _
_
x
C
1
2 +2
1 (x + 1)
1
( )
c) f (x) = _ , y = -f(3x) + 1
4
1
( )
_
D y = - _ (4) 2 +2 d) f(x) = 4x, y = 2f - _ (x - 1) - 5
2 3
7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 355
 8. For each pair of exponential functions in 11. A biologist places agar, a gel made from
#7, sketch the original and transformed seaweed, in a Petri dish and infects it with
functions on the same set of coordinate bacteria. She uses the measurement of
axes. Explain your procedure. the growth ring to estimate the number of
9. The persistence of drugs in the bacteria present. The biologist finds that
human body can be modelled using the bacteria increase in population at an
an exponential function. Suppose exponential rate of 20% every 2 days.
a new drug follows the model a) If the culture starts with a population
h
_
M(h) = M0(0.79) 3 , where M is the mass, of 5000 bacteria, what is the
in milligrams, of drug remaining in the transformed exponential function in
body; M0 is the mass, in milligrams, of the form P = a(c)bx that represents the
the dose taken; and h is the time, in population, P, of the bacteria over time,
hours, since the dose was taken. x, in days?
a) Explain the roles of the numbers 0.79 b) Describe the parameters used to create
1. the transformed exponential function.
and _
3 c) Graph the transformed function and
b) A standard dose is 100 mg. Sketch use it to predict the bacteria population
the graph showing the mass of the after 9 days.
drug remaining in the body for the
first 48 h.
c) What does the M-intercept
represent in this situation?
d) What are the domain and range of
this function?
10. The rate at which liquids cool can
be modelled by an approximation
of Newton’s law of cooling,
t
_
T(t) = (Ti - Tf )(0.9) 5 + Tf , where Tf
12. Living organisms contain carbon-12 (C-12),
represents the final temperature, in
which does not decay, and carbon-14
degrees Celsius; Ti represents the initial
(C-14), which does. When an organism
temperature, in degrees Celsius; and t
dies, the amount of C-14 in its tissues
represents the elapsed time, in minutes.
decreases exponentially with a half-life of
Suppose a cup of coffee is at an initial
about 5730 years.
temperature of 95 °C and cools to a
temperature of 20 °C. a) What is the transformed exponential
a) State the parameters a, b, h, and
function that represents the percent, P,
k for this situation. Describe the of C-14 remaining after t years?
transformation that corresponds to b) Graph the function and use it to
each parameter. determine the approximate age of a
dead organism that has 20% of the
b) Sketch a graph showing the
original C-14 present in its tissues.
temperature of the coffee over a
period of 200 min. D i d You K n ow ?
c) What is the approximate temperature of
Carbon dating can only be used to date organic
the coffee after 100 min? material, or material from once-living things. It is
d) What does the horizontal asymptote of only effective in dating organisms that lived up to
about 60 000 years ago.
the graph represent?

356 MHR • Chapter 7

Extend b) What is one factor that might slow the
13. On Monday morning, Julia found that growth rate to less than exponential?
a colony of bacteria covered an area of Is exponential growth healthy for a
100 cm2 on the agar. After 10 h, she found population? Why or why not?
that the area had increased to 200 cm2.
Assume that the growth is exponential.
Create Connections
a) By Tuesday morning (24 h later), what C1 The graph of an exponential function
area do the bacteria cover? of the form y = cx does not have an
x-intercept. Explain why this occurs using
b) Consider Earth to be a sphere with
an example of your own.
radius 6378 km. How long would
these bacteria take to cover the surface C2 a) Which parameters of an exponential
of Earth? function affect the x-intercept of the
graph of the function? Explain.
14. Fifteen years ago, the fox population of a
national park was 325 foxes. Today, it is b) Which parameters of an exponential
650 foxes. Assume that the population has function affect the y-intercept of the
experienced exponential growth. graph of the function? Explain.
a) Project the fox population in 20 years.

Project Corner Modelling a Curve

It is not easy to determine the best

mathematical model for real data. In
many situations, one model works
best for a limited period of time, and
then another model is better. Work
with a partner. Let x represent the
time, in weeks, and let y represent
the cumulative box office revenue, in
millions of dollars.
• The curves for Avatar and Dark
Knight appear to have a horizontal
asymptote. What do you think this
represents in this context? Do you
think the curve for Titanic will eventually exhibit this characteristic as well? Explain.
• Consider the curve for Titanic.
! If the vertex is located at (22, 573), determine a quadratic function of the form
y = a(x - h)2 + k that might model this portion of the curve.
! Suppose that the curve has a horizontal asymptote with equation y = 600.
Determine an exponential function of the form y = -35(0.65)0.3(x - h) + k that might
model the curve.
! Which type of function do you think better models this curve? Explain.

7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions • MHR 357