1. Exponential Growth & Decay
Pre AP Algebra 2

2. Moore’s law, a rule used in the computer industry, states that the number of transistors per integrated circuit (the processing power) doubles every year. Beginning in the early days of integrated circuits, the growth in capacity may be approximated by this table.

3. Growth that doubles every year can be modeled by using a function with a variable as an exponent. This function is known as an exponential function. The parent exponential function is f(x) = bx, where the base b is a constant and the exponent x is the independent variable.

4. The graph of the parent function f(x) = 2x is shown
The graph of the parent function f(x) = 2x is shown. The domain is all real numbers and the range is {y|y > 0}.

5. Notice as the x-values decrease, the graph of the function gets closer and closer to the x-axis. The function never reaches the x-axis because the value of 2x cannot be zero. In this case, the x-axis is an asymptote. An asymptote is a line that a graphed function approaches as the value of x gets very large or very small.

6. A function of the form f(x) = abx, with a > 0 and b > 1, is an exponential growth function, which increases as x increases. When 0 < b < 1, the function is called an exponential decay function, which decreases as x increases.

7. In the function y = bx, y is a function of x because the value of y depends on the value of x.
Remember!
Negative exponents indicate a reciprocal. For example:
Remember!

8. Example 1A: Graphing Exponential Functions
Tell whether the function shows growth or decay. Then graph.
Step 1 Find the value of the base.
The base , ,is less than 1. This is an exponential decay function.

9. x 2 4 6 8 10 12 f(x) 5.6 3.2 1.8 1.0 0.6 0.3 Example 1A Continued
Step 2 Graph the function by using a table of values. x 2 4 6 8 10 12
f(x)
5.6
3.2
1.8
1.0
0.6
0.3

10. Example 1B: Graphing Exponential Functions
Tell whether the function shows growth or decay. Then graph.
g(x) = 100(1.05)x
Step 1 Find the value of the base.
The base, 1.05, is greater than 1. This is an exponential growth function.
g(x) = 100(1.05)x

11. Example 1B Continued
Step 2 Graph the function by using a graphing calculator.

12. Check It Out! Example 1
Tell whether the function p(x) = 5(1.2x) shows growth or decay. Then graph.
Step 1 Find the value of the base.
p(x) = 5(1.2 x)
The base , 1.2, is greater than 1. This is an exponential growth function.

13. Check It Out! Example 1 Continued
Step 2 Graph the function by using a table of values. x
–12 –8 –4 4 8 10
f(x)
0.56
1.2
2.4 5
10.4
21.5
30.9

14. You can model growth or decay by a constant percent increase or decrease with the following formula:
In the formula, the base of the exponential expression, 1 + r, is called the growth factor. Similarly, 1 – r is the decay factor.

15. X is used on the graphing calculator for the variable t: Y1 =5000. 1
X is used on the graphing calculator for the variable t: Y1 =5000*1.0625^X
Helpful Hint

16. Example 2: Economics Application
Clara invests $5000 in an account that pays 6.25% interest per year. After how many years will her investment be worth $10,000?
Step 1 Write a function to model the growth in value of her investment.
f(t) = a(1 + r)t
Exponential growth function.
f(t) = 5000( )t
Substitute 5000 for a and for r.
f(t) = 5000(1.0625)t
Simplify.

17. Example 2 Continued
Step 2 When graphing exponential functions in an appropriate domain, you may need to adjust the range a few times to show the key points of the function.
Step 3 Use the graph to predict when the value of the investment will reach $10,000. Use the feature to find the t-value where f(t) ≈ 10,000.

18. Example 2 Continued
Step 3 Use the graph to predict when the value of the investment will reach $10,000. Use the feature to find the t-value where f(t) ≈ 10,000.
The function value is approximately 10,000 when t ≈ The investment will be worth $10,000 about years after it was purchased.

19. Check It Out! Example 2
In 1981, the Australian humpback whale population was 350 and increased at a rate of 14% each year since then. Write a function to model population growth. Use a graph to predict when the population will reach 20,000.
P(t) = a(1 + r)t
Exponential growth function.
P(t) = 350( )t
Substitute 350 for a and 0.14 for r.
P(t) = 350(1.14)t
Simplify.

20. Check It Out! Example 2 Continued
Graph the function. Use to find when the population will reach 20,000.
It will take about 31 years for the population to reach 20,000.

21. Example 3: Depreciation Application
A city population, which was initially 15,500, has been dropping 3% a year. Write an exponential function and graph the function. Use the graph to predict when the population will drop below 8000.
f(t) = a(1 – r)t
Exponential decay function.
f(t) = 15,500(1 – 0.03)t
Substitute 15,500 for a and 0.03 for r.
f(t) = 15,500(0.97)t
Simplify.

22. It will take about 22 years for the population to fall below 8000.
Example 3 Continued
10,000
Graph the function. Use to find when the population will fall below 8000.
150
It will take about 22 years for the population to fall below 8000.

23. Check It Out! Example 3
A motor scooter purchased for $1000 depreciates at an annual rate of 15%. Write an exponential function and graph the function. Use the graph to predict when the value will fall below $100.
f(t) = a(1 – r)t
Exponential decay function.
f(t) = 1000(1 – 0.15)t
Substitute 1,000 for a and 0.15 for r.
f(t) = 1000(0.85)t
Simplify.

24. Check It Out! Example 3 Continued
200
Graph the function. Use to find when the value will fall below 100.
100
It will take about 14.2 years for the value to fall below 100.