1. 5.2 Exponential Functions & Graphs
Graph exponential equations and exponential functions.
Solve applied problems involving exponential functions and their graphs.

2. Exponential Function
The function f(x) = ax, where x is a real number, a > 0 and a  1, is called the exponential function, base a.
The base needs to be positive in order to avoid the complex numbers that would occur by taking even roots of negative numbers.
The following are examples of exponential functions: 2

3. Graphing Exponential Functions
To graph an exponential function, follow the steps
listed:
1. Compute some function values and list the results in a table.
2. Plot the points and connect them with a smooth curve. Be sure to plot enough points to determine how steeply the curve rises. 3

4. Graph x y -3 -2 -1 1 2 3

5. Graph x y -3 -2 -1 1 2 3

7. Graphs of Exponential Functions
Observe the following graphs of exponential functions and look for patterns in them. 7

9. Example
Graph y = 2x – 2.
The graph is the graph of y = 2x shifted to right 2 units. 9

10. Example
Graph y = 5 – 0.5x .
The graph is a reflection of the graph of y = 2x across the y-axis, followed by a reflection across the x-axis and then a shift up 5 units. 10

11. Example
Find the exponential function whose graph is shown.

12. Application
The amount of money A to which a principal P will grow to after t years at interest rate r (in decimal form), compounded n times per year, is given by the formula 12

13. Example
Suppose that $100,000 is invested at 6.5% interest, compounded semiannually.
Find a function for the amount to which the investment grows after t years.
b) Find the amount of money in the account at t = 0, 4, 8, and 10 yr.
c) Graph the function. 13

14. b) We can calculate the values directly on a calculator.
a) Since P = $100,000, r = 6.5%=0.065, and n = 2, we can substitute these values and write the following function
b) We can calculate the values directly on a calculator. 14

15. c) Graph. 15

16. The Number e
e is a very special number in mathematics. Leonard Euler named this number e. The decimal representation of the number e does not terminate or repeat; it is an irrational number that is a constant;
e  … 16

17. Example
Find each value of ex, to four decimal places, using the ex key on a calculator.
a) e3 b) e0.23
c) e0 d) e1
Solution:
a) e3 ≈
b) e0.23 ≈
c) e0 = 1
d) e1 ≈ 17

18. Graphs of Exponential Functions, Base e Example
Graph f (x) = ex and g(x) = e–x.
Use the calculator and enter y1 = ex and y2 = e–x. Enter numbers for x. 18

19. Graphs of Exponential Functions, Base e - Example (continued)
The graph of g is a reflection of the graph of f across the y-axis. 19

20. Example Graph f (x) = ex + 3.
Solution: The graph f (x) = ex + 3 is a translation of the graph of y = ex left 3 units. 20

21. Example Graph f (x) = e–0.5x.
Solution: The graph f (x) = e–0.5x is a horizontal stretching of the graph of y = ex followed by a reflection across the y-axis. 21

22. Example Graph f (x) = 1  e2x.
Solution: The graph f (x) = 1  e2x is a horizontal
shrinking of the graph of y = ex followed by a reflection across the y-axis and then across the
x-axis, followed by a translation up 1 unit. 22

23. Example
Find the exponential function given f(0) = 4 and f(-2) = 16.

24. Example
a. Determine an exponential function for the population after t years given the table below. The population is given in thousands. b. What is the population when t = 40? t
P(t) 10 5 20 40