CHAPTER 7:

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

NAME: ___________________________

Chapter 7 Study Guide

This study guide is based on questions from the Chapter 7 Practice Test in the student resource .
Question I can … Help Needed Refer to
#1 identify the characteristics of the graph of an  some 7.1
exponential function of the form y  ax, a > 0, including  none Examples 1, 2
the domain, range, horizontal asymptote, and intercepts,
and explain the significance of the horizontal asymptote
#2 demonstrate an understanding of the effects of  some 7.2
horizontal and vertical stretches and translations on the  none Example 1
graphs of functions and their related equations
#3 determine the solution of an exponential equation  some 7.1
 none Example 3
#4 expand powers of a binomial in a variety of ways  some 7.3
 none Examples 1, 2
#5 solve problems that involve exponential equations  some 7.3
 none Example 3
#6 write the equation of a transformed exponential function  some 7.2
 none Examples 1, 2
#7 sketch the graph of y  k  f(x) , y  f(x  h) or y  k  f(x  h)  some 7.2
for given values of h and k, given a sketch of the function  none Example 1
y  f(x), where the equation of y  f(x) is not given
#8 demonstrate an understanding of the effects of  some 7.2
horizontal and vertical stretches and translations on the  none Example 1
graphs of functions and their related equations
#9 determine the solution of an exponential equation  some 7.3
 none Example 2
#10 determine the solution of an exponential equation in  some 7.3
which the bases are not powers of one another, using a  none Example 3
variety of strategies
#11 solve problems that involve exponential equations  some 7.3
 none Example 3
#12 solve a problem that involves exponential growth or  some 7.3
decay  none Example 3
#13 solve problems that involve the application of  some 7.3
exponential equations to loans, mortgages, and  none Example 3
investments
#14 solve problems that involve the application of  some 7.3
exponential equations to loans, mortgages, and  none Example 3
investments
(Checklist taken from MHR Teacher Resource DVD)

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 Assignment: 7.1 p.342: 1 – 11 , C1 (#5 on grid paper)
Ma 30-1 NOTES
7.1 Characteristics of Exponential Functions

Start-Up: Graphing y  c x
Graph each exponential function accurately on grid paper. Then complete the table of characteristics for each
function.
x
1
a) y2 x
b) y   
2

y  2x 1
x

y 
2
domain

range

x-intercept

y-intercept

Is the graph increasing or decreasing?

equation of horizontal asymptote

3. Use your graphing calculator to graph y  5x and y  10 x Compare each graph to the graph of y  2 x .
Describe how the graphs are similar and how they are different.

x x x
1  1  1
4. Use your graphing calculator to graph y    and y    Compare each graph to the graph of y    .
5  10  2
Describe how the graphs are similar and how they are different.

5. Predict what will happen when c = 1. Explain.

6. Predict what the graph will look like if c  0 . Confirm your predication using a table of values and a graph.
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 KEY IDEAS

 An exponential function models a type of non-linear change. These types of functions have the
form y  c x , where c is a constant (c > 0). All exponential functions of this form have a y-intercept
of 1.
 When c > 1 in an exponential function of the form y  c x , the exponential function is increasing.
This represents exponential growth.
 When c is between 0 and 1 (that is, 0 < c < 1) in an exponential function of the form y  c x , the
exponential function is decreasing. This represents exponential decay.
o A half-life is the length of time for an unstable element to spontaneously decay to one-half
its original mass.
 When c = 1 in an exponential function of the form y  c x , the exponential function is neither
increasing or decreasing.
 Exponential functions of the form y  c x have domain  x | x  , range  y | y  0, y  , no
x-intercepts and a horizontal asymptote at y  0 .

Determining Exponential Functions from a Graph

 For y  c , when x  1 , the value of the function is c. Determine the ordered pair 1, ____  so you can conclude what
x

the value of c is and make the equation.

 Choose another point other than  0, 1 or the point in step  to substitute into the function you determined to verify it
is correct.

Example 1
What function of the form y  c x can be used to describe each graph shown?

a) b)

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Application of an Exponential Function
A radio-active sample of radium (Ra-225) has a half-life of 15 days.
The mass, m, in grams, in 15-day intervals, can be modeled
using the exponential growth shown.

a) What is the initial mass of Ra-225 in the sample?

What value does the mass of Ra-225 remaining approach
as time passes?

b) What are the domain and range of this function?

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 Ra-225 to decay to /30 of its original mass.

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Ma 30-1 Investigation Name: ______________________
7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions

INVESTIGATION
Apply your prior knowledge of transformations to predict the effects of translations, stretches, and reflections
b x  h 
on exponential functions of the form f  x   a  c   k and their associated graphs.

b x  h 
Part A: The Effects of Parameters h and k on the Function: f  x   a  c  k
1. a) Graph each set of functions on one set of coordinate axes. Accurately sketch the graphs on the grid below.

SET A SET B
(i) f  x   3x (i) f  x   2 x
(ii) g  x   3x  2 (ii) g  x   2 x 3
(iii) h  x   3x  4 (iii) h  x   2 x 1

b) Compare the graphs in set A. For any constant k, describe the relationship between the graphs of
f  x   3x and y  3x  k .

c) Compare the graphs in set B. For any constant h, describe the relationship between the graphs of
f  x   2 x and y  2 x h .

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 b x  h 
Part B: The Effects of Parameters a and b on the Function: f  x   a  c  k
3. a) Graph each set of functions on one set of coordinate axes. Sketch the graphs accurately below.

SET C SET D
x x
1 1
(i) f  x     (ii) g  x   3   (i) f  x   2x (ii) g  x   23 x
 2  2
x x 1
31 1
(iii) h  x   2 (iv) m  x   22 x
x
(iii) h  x     (iv) m  x   4   3
42 2

b) Compare the graphs in set C. For any constant a, describe the relationship between the graphs of
x x
1 1
f  x     and y  a   .
2 2

c) Compare the graphs in set D. For any constant b, describe the relationship between the graphs of
f  x   2 x and y  2bx .

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 Assignment: 7.2 p.354: 1, 2, 3aceg, 4, 5, 6bc, 7ad, 9,
Ma 30-1 NOTES 10, 12 (graph accurately on grid paper)
7.2 Transformations of Exponential Functions

KEY IDEAS
b x  h 
 To sketch the graph of an exponential function of the form f  x  a c   k , apply transformations to the graph
of y  c , where c > 0. The transformations represented by a and b may be applied in any order before the
x

transformations represented by h and k.

b x  h 
 The parameters a, b, h and k in exponential functions of the form f  x  a c   k correspond to the following
transformations:

Parameter Transformation
 Vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of |a|
a  a < 0 results in a reflection in the x –axis
  x, y    x, a y 
1
 Horizontal stretch about the y-axis by a factor of
b

b  b < 0 results in a reflection in the y –axis

 x, y    , y 
x

 b 
 Horizontal translation left or right
h
  x, y    x  h, y 
 Vertical translation up or down
k
  x, y    x, y  k 

 Transformed exponential functions can be used to model real-world applications of exponential growth or decay.

Check Your Understanding

2 x  5
Transform the graph of y  4 x to sketch the graph of y   4   3 . Determine the domain and range.

2 x  5
y  4x y  42 x y  42 x y   4 3
 1
 1, 4 
 

 0,1

1, 4 

 2,16 

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Application of an Exponential Function
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 g of Am-241.

a) What is the transformed exponential function that models

the graph showing the radioactive decay of 200 g of Am-241?

Growth/Decay Formula: y  a b where: p

y = final amount
a = initial amount
b = growth/decay rate constant
(ex. 2 for doubling, 3 for tripling. ½ for half-life)
t = time
p = period of time for doubling, tripling, halving, etc.

b) Identify how each of the parameters of the function relates to the transformed graph.

Check Your Understanding

1. Which equation represents an exponential function? _______

A. y  3x9 B. y   5 x
1 3x  2
C. y  D. y 
3x 4

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 Use the following information to answer the next THREE questions.

A student is attempting to sketch the graph of the function f  x   4 x 3  1

without using a graphing calculator.

2. Which of the following is the asymptote of the graph? _______

A. x  3 B. x  3
C. y  1 D. y  1

3. The range of f  x  is _______

A. f  x    1,   B. f  x   1,  
C. f  x    3,   D. f  x    ,  

4. The x-intercept of the graph is _______

A. 0 B. 2
C. 3 D. there is no x-intercept

5. Consider the function f  x   b xh  k . Determine

a. the domain and range of the function.

b. the y-intercept of the graph of the function

c. the equation of the horizontal asymptote of the graph of the function

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 Assignment: 7.3 p.364: 2c, 3d, 4cd, 5ac, 6ac, 7cdgh,
Ma 30-1 NOTES 8 – 10, 12 – 14, C2
7.3 Solving Exponential Functions

Start-Up
1. Rewrite each of the following with a base of 2.
1
3 3  1 3
a. 32 b. 16 c. 16 d.  
 64 

2. Simplify the following by converting each term to a common base:

 81
1
a.  64    8  16 
3 x 1 5 x 3 2 x 5 2

 x
3 m
m
b. 27 3 n
x 
m n
x n

Do you remember your

exponent laws?

Solving Exponential Equations with a Common Base

An exponential equation is an equation where the variable is in the exponent.
To solve an equation where the variable is in the exponent:
 Write each side of the equation in the same base.
 If necessary, use exponent laws so that each side of the equation contains only one base.
 Equate the exponents on each side of the equation.
 Determine the value of the variable.

Example
Solve each of the following equations.
2 x4
1
  4  
5 x2 4x
a) 94 x  27 x1 b)   c) 25  1257 x 2
8

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Solving Exponential Equations with NO Common Base
Exponential equations that have terms with bases that you cannot rewrite using a common base can be solved
approximately. You can use either of the following methods:
 Use systematic trial. First substitute a reasonable estimate for the solution into the equation, evaluate the
result and adjust the next estimate according to whether the result is too high or too low. Repeat this process
until the sides of the equation are approximately equal.
 Graph the functions that correspond to the expressions on each side of the equal sign and then identify the
value of x at the point of intersection or graph as a single function and find the x -intercept.

Example
Solve 5t 2  4 t to the nearest tenth.

Application
A $1000 investment earns interest at a rate of 8% per annum, compounded quarterly.
a) Write an equation for the value of the investment as a function of time, in years.
tn
 r
Compound Interest Formula: A  P 1  
 n
where
A = final amount
P = principle or initial amount
r =yearly interest rate as a decimal value
b) Determine the value of the investment after 4 years. n = number of compounding periods in one year
t = number of years

c) How long will it take for the investment to double in value?

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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

 One-fifth of 25100 is _________

A. 25 20 B. 2599 C. 5100 D. 5199

1
 Solve 27 3n 1     81n  2 . _________
9

1 9 11 13
A.  B. C. D.
11 5 5 5


 Solve 2 4 x 1 
x
 32 x 3 algebraically.

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 A painting doubles in value every 8 years. It is currently worth $1000.
Determine the time in years, to the nearest tenth, needed for the
painting to be worth$3200.

 The student council of a school notices that their membership is growing by 3% per year. _________
The membership currently is 350 students. Which exponential function could be used to
determine the time, t, it would take the student council to grow to 560 members ?

A. 560  350  0.03 C. 560  350 1.03

t t

B. 350  560  0.03 D. 350  560 1.03

t t

 What initial investment is needed to become a millionaire in 25 years if you receive interest _________
at 12% compounded semi-annually?

A. $58 823.31 C. $52 032.84

B. $54 288.36 D. $232 998.63

 If the population in Canada is around 30 000 000 people in the year 2000, and if the
population continues to grow at 1.9 % compounded yearly, what will the population be
in the year 2032 to the nearest million?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING SOLUTIONS

 D
 D
3 5
 x ; x
2 2
 13.4
 C
 B
 55

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