Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Name: ______________________ Block: __________ Teacher: ______________

Algebra 1

Unit 4 Notes:
Modeling and Analyzing
Exponential Functions

DISCLAIMER: We will be using this note packet for Unit 4. You will be responsible for bringing
this packet to class EVERYDAY. If you lose it, you will have to print another one yourself. An
electronic copy of this packet can be found on my class blog.

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Day 1 – Exponential Functions 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒃𝒙

Standard(s): MGSE9-12.A.CED.2
Create exponential equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between
quantities; graph equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales.

Exploring Exponential Functions

Which of the options below will make you the most money after 15 days?

a. Earning $1 a day?

x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

b. Earning a penny at the end of the first day, earning two pennies at the end of the second day, earning 4
pennies at the end of the third day, earning 8 pennies at the end of the fourth day, and so on?

x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

The general form of an exponential function is:

y = abx

a represents your start/initial value/y-intercept

b represents your change

Features:
• Variable is in the exponent versus the base
• Start small and increase quickly or vice versa
• Asymptotes (graph heads towards a horizontal line but
never touches it)
• Constant Ratios (multiply by same number every time)

Evaluating Exponential Functions

For exponential functions, the variable is in the exponent, but you still evaluate by plugging in the value given.

Example 1: Evaluate each exponential function.

a. f(x) = 2(3)x when x = 5 b. y = 8(0.75) x when x = 3 c. f(x) = 4x, find f (2).

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Graphing Exponential Functions

The general form of an exponential function is:

y = ab
x

Where a represents your starting or initial value

b represents your growth/decay factor (change)

An asymptote is a line that an exponential graph gets closer and closer to but never touches or crosses.
The equation for the line of an asymptote is always y = _______.

Graph the following:

a. 𝑦 = 3(2)𝑥 8
𝒙 𝒚 = 𝟑(𝟐)𝒙
6
-2
4
-1
2
0
Growth or decay? 1 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
Asymptote: ___________________ 2
-2

Y-intercept: ___________________ -4
-6
-8

1 𝑥
b. 𝑦 = 3 (2) 𝒙 𝟏 𝒙 8
𝒚 = 𝟑( )
𝟐 6
-2
4
-1
2
0
Growth or decay?
1 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
Asymptote: ___________________
-2
2
Y-intercept: ___________________
-4
-6
-8

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Creating Exponential Functions

Exponential Functions a = Start/initial amount/y-int

b = Change (growth/decay)
x = How often change occurs
y = abx y = Result of change over time

Write the equations that model these exponential functions.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. March Madness is an example of exponential decay. At each round of the tournament, only the winning
teams stay, so the number of teams playing at each round is half of the number of teams playing in the
previous round. If 64 teams are a part of the official bracket at the start, how many teams are left after 5 rounds
of play?

6. Bacteria have the ability to multiply at an alarming rate, where each bacteria splits into two new cells,
doubling the number of bacteria present. If there are ten bacteria on your desk, and they double every hour,
how many bacteria will be present tomorrow (desk uncleaned)?

7. Phosphorus-32 is used to study a plant’s use of fertilizer. It has a half-life of 14 days. Write the exponential
decay function for a 50-mg sample. Find the amount of phosphorus-32 remaining after 84 days.

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes
8.

9.

10.

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Day 2 – Applications of Exponential Functions – Growth/Decay

Standard(s): MGSE9-12.A.CED.2
Create exponential equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph
equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales.

Review of Percentages: Remember percentages are always out of 100.

To change from a percent to a decimal:

Option 1: Divide by 100 Option 2: Move the decimal two places to the ___________
25% = _______ 6.5% = _______ 2% = _______ 10% = _______ 3.05% = _______

Exponential Growth and Decay

Can you tell whether these functions represent growth or decay?

A. y = 8(4)x B. f(x) = 2(5/7)x C. h(x) = 0.2(1.4)x D. y = ¾(0.99)x E. y = ½(1.01)x

When we discuss exponential growth and decay, we are going to use a slightly different equation than y = abx.

Exponential Growth Exponential Decay

• A quantity increases over time • A quantity decreases over time

y = a(1 + r)t y = a(1 - r)t

where a>0 where a>0

y = final amount y = final amount

a = initial amount a = initial amount
r = growth rate (express as decimal) r = decay rate (express as decimal)
t = time t = time

(1 + r) represents the growth factor (1 – r) represents the decay factor

Finding Growth and Decay Rates

Identify the following equations as growth or decay. Then identify the initial amount, growth/decay factor, and
the growth/decay percent.

a. y = 3.5(1.03)t b. f(t) = 10,000(0.95)t c. y = 2,500(1.2)t

Growth/Decay: growth Growth/Decay: ________ Growth/Decay: ________

Initial Amount: 3.5 Initial Amount: _________ Initial Amount: _________

Growth/Decay Factor: 1.03 Growth/Decay Factor: __________ Growth/Decay Factor: __________

Growth/Decay %: 0.03 = 3% Growth/Decay %: _________ Growth/Decay %: _________

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Growth and Decay Word Problems

Example 1: The original value of a painting is $1400 and the value increases by 9% each year. Write an
exponential growth function to model this situation. Then find the value of the painting in 25 years.

Growth or Decay: ____________

Starting value (a): ____________

Rate (as a decimal): __________

Function: ____________________________

Example 2: The cost of tuition at a college is $15,000 and is increasing at a rate of 6% per year. Find the cost of
tuition after 4 years.

Growth or Decay: _______________

Starting value (a): _______________

Rate (as a decimal): ____________

Function: ____________________________

Example 3: The value of a car is $18,000 and is depreciating at a rate of 12% per year. How much will your car
be worth after 10 years?

Growth or Decay: ____________________________

Starting value (a): ___________

Rate (as a decimal): ________

Function: ____________________________

Example 4: A bungee jumper jumps from a bridge. The diagram shows the bungee jumper’s height above the
ground at the top of each bounce. What is the bungee jumper’s height at the top of the 5 th bounce?

Growth or Decay: ______________

Starting Value: _________________

Rate (as a decimal): ___________

Function: _______________________________

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Day 3 – Applications of Exponential Functions – Compound Interest

Standard(s): MGSE9-12.A.CED.2
Create exponential equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph
equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales.

In middle school, you learned about simple interest, which is interest that is only earned on the original amount
of money, called the principal. It’s formula is I = Prt, where P represents principal, r represents rate, t represents
time, and I represents interest.
Compound Interest is interest earned or paid on both the original amount (principal) and previously earned
interest.
Compound Interest
r
A = P (1 + )nt
n
A = balance after t years
P = Principal (original amount)
r = interest rate (as a decimal)
n = number of times interest is compounded per year
t = time (in years)

Example 1: Write a compound interest function that models an investment of $1000 at a rate of 3%
compounded quarterly. Then find the balance after 5 years.
P = _________

r = _________

n = _________

t = __________

Example 2: Write a compound interest function that models an investment of $18,000 at a rate of 4.5%
compounded annually. Then find the balance after 6 years.

P = _________

r = _________

n = _________

t = __________

Example 3: Write a compound interest function that models an investment of $4,000 at a rate of 2.5%
compounded monthly. Then find the balance after 10 years.
P = _________

r = _________

n = _________

t = __________
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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Solving Exponential Equations

An exponential equation is an equation containing one or more expressions that have a variable as an
exponent. When solving exponential equations, you want to rewrite the equations, so they have the same
bases. If they have the same bases, you set the exponents equal to each other.

If bx = by, then x = y

Solve: 2x-4 = 2-x+10 Explanation

Solve the following equations.

x 4x −12
 1  1
a. 33x - 7 = 3x + 1 b. 
2  = 2
   

c. 22x -6 = 4 d. 54x – 1 = 125

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Day 4 – Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences (Explicit Formulas)

Standard(s):
MGSE9-12.F.BF.2 Write geometric sequences recursively and explicitly, use them to model situations, and
translate between the two forms. Connect geometric sequences to exponential functions.

MGSE9-12.F.BF.1a Determine an explicit expression and the recursive process (steps for calculation) from
context.

A sequence is a list of numbers or objects, called terms, in a certain order.

Arithmetic Sequences
• The difference between any two _________________ terms is always the same.
• This number is called a ______________ ______________
• The number is ____________ or ___________ to any term to achieve the next term.

Geometric Sequences
• The _____________ of consecutive terms is always the same.
• This number is called the ______________ ______________.
• The number is _________________ by any term to achieve the next term.

Identify the following sequences as arithmetic or geometric. Then name the common difference or
common ratio.
1. 2, 6, 10, 14, … 2. 2, 6, 18, 54, … 3. 56, 84, 126, 189, …

4. 56, 26, -4, -34, … 7. 0.1, 1, 10, 100, … 8. 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, …

Explicit Formulas
An explicit formula is a formula that allows you to find any term.

Arithmetic Sequence Explicit Formula 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)

Geometric Sequence Explicit Formula 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1

Example 1: Find the 21st term of the sequence 32, 26, 20, 14, 8, …

Example 2: Find the 11th term of the sequence 1024, 512, 256, …

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Find the given term of each of the following sequences.

1. Given the sequence 25, 40, 55, 70, … what is the 24th term?

2. Given the sequence 0.01, 0.2, 4, 80, … what is the 9th term?

3. Given the sequence 88, 81, 74, 67, … what is the 18th term?

4. Given the sequence 384, 96, 24, 6, … what is the 7th term?

Practice
Use your knowledge of sequences to answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. The formula of the nth term of the sequence is
a. c.

b. d.

2. What is a formula for the nth term of sequence B shown ?

a. c.
b. d.

3. A sequence has the following terms: , , , . Which formula represents the nth term
in the sequence?
a. c.
b. d.

4. The third term in an arithmetic sequence is 10 and the fifth term is 26. If the first term is a1, which is an
equation for the nth term of this sequence?
a. c.

b. d.

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Day 5 – Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences (Recursive Formulas)

Standard(s):
MGSE9-12.F.BF.2 Write geometric sequences recursively and explicitly, use them to model situations, and
translate between the two forms. Connect geometric sequences to exponential functions.

MGSE9-12.F.BF.1a Determine an explicit expression and the recursive process (steps for calculation) from
context.

A recursive formula is used to determine the next term based on the previous term.

𝑎1 =
Arithmetic Sequence Recursive Formula {𝑎 = 𝑎
𝑛 𝑛−1 + 𝑑

𝑎1 =
Geometric Sequence Recursive Formula {𝑎 = 𝑟 ∙ 𝑎
𝑛 𝑛−1

Match the following recursive formulas with their sequences.

1. 5, 15, 25, 35, … a. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 − 2.5

2. 8, -20, 50, -125,… b. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 2

3. 5, 15, 45, 135, … c. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 5

4. 20, 17.5, 15, 12.5, … d. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 10

5. -8, -3, 2, 7, … e. 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑎𝑛−1

6. 1000, 500, 250, 125, … f. 𝑎𝑛 = 0.5𝑎𝑛−1

7. -99, -97, -95, -93, … g. 𝑎𝑛 = 5𝑎𝑛−1

8. 2, 10, 50, 250, … h. 𝑎𝑛 = −2.5𝑎𝑛−1

Write a recursive formula for the following sequences.

1. 3, −6, 12, −24, … 2. 3, −9, −21, −33, …

Use the given formulas to generate the first four terms of the corresponding sequences.
𝑎1 = 54 𝑎1 = 10 𝑎 = 10
3. { 1 4. { 5. { 1
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 3 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑎𝑛−1
3

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

Use your knowledge of sequences to answer the following multiple-choice questions.

𝑎 = 3000
1. The formula { 1 can be used to model which scenario?
𝑎𝑛 = 0.80𝑎𝑛−1

a. The first row of a stadium has 3000 seats, and c. The last row of a stadium has 3000 seats, and
each row thereafter has 80 more seats than each row before it has 80 fewer seats than
the row in front of it. the row behind it.

b. A bank account starts with a deposit of d. The initial value of a specialty toy is $3000,
$3000, and each year it grows by 80%. and its value each of the following years is
20% less.

2. At her job, Pat earns $25,000 the first year and receives a raise of $1000 each year. The explicit formula
for the nth term of this sequence is 𝑎𝑛 = 25000 + 1000(𝑛 − 1). Which rule best represents the equivalent
recursive formula?

a. 𝑎1 = 25000; 𝑎𝑛 = 1000𝑎𝑛−1 c. 𝑎1 = 25000; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 1000

b. 𝑎1 = 1000; 𝑎𝑛 = 25000𝑎𝑛+1 d. 𝑎1 = 25000; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛+1 + 1000

3. Which function represents this sequence?

a. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 1 c. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛−1
b. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 2 d. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛−1 − 3

4. A theater has more seats in the back rows than it has in the front rows. At a particular theater each
row has two more seats than the row in front of it. Which formulas model this situation if the front row
has twenty seats?

a. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 2 and 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 20 c. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛−1 and 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 20

b. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 2 and 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 18 d. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛−1 and 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 18

5. Select TWO of the following statements that are TRUE based on the following pictorial sequence.

a. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛−1 d. 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑎𝑛−1
b. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 2 e. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 1
c. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 − 2 f. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 3

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Algebra 1 Unit 4: Exponential Functions Notes

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