Interpreting Parameters ~adapted from Walch Education

Key Ideas: The parameter of a function is a term that determines a specific form of a function but not the nature of the function. A linear function is a function in the form f(x) = mx + b. For a linear function written in slope-intercept form, f(x) = mx + b, the parameters are m and b. m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept. Changing either of these parameters will change the function and the graph of the function.

Key Ideas, continued. An exponential function is a function that may be written in the form f(x) = b x + k. For an exponential function in the form f(x) = b x + k, where b is a positive integer not equal to 1 and k can equal 0, the parameters are b and k. b is the growth factor and k is the vertical shift, or the number of units the graph of the function is moved up or down. Changing either of these parameters will change the function and the graph of the function.

Thanks for watching! ~Dr. Dambreville