Algebra notes for 9-5 Exponential Functions

9-6 Exponential Functions:

Exponential functions are function that is in the form:

y = ax
a > 1, a ≠ 1
**How the value of “a” affects the graph of the function:

Consider the graph of y = 2 x (below)

€
20
18
16
€
14
12
10
8
6
4
2

-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2

This is typical of what all exponential graphs will look like when a > 1
 ⎛ 1 ⎞ x
Consider the graph of y = ⎜ ⎟ (below)
⎝ 2 ⎠
20
18
16
€ 14
12
10
8
6
4
2

-5 -3 -1 1 4
-2

This is typical of what all exponential graphs will look like when 0 < a < 1

Notice that both graphs have a y-intercept of (0, 1). This will be true of all
exponential functions in the form y = a x because anything to the zero power is
one.

Letʼs look at a function in the form y = a x + b , what effect does “b” have on the
€
graph?
20
18 €
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2

-5 -3 -1 1 4
-2
You can see the graph is shifted up 3 units.
 Example problems for 9-5:

Graph each function. State the y-intercept. Then use the graph to determine
the approximate value of the given expression. Use a calculator to confirm
the value.

#1 on pg. 505: y = 3x ; 31.2

1. I graphed the function on my graphing calculator.
2. I see the y-intercept is (0, 1)
3. I looked at the “table” on the calculator to estimate 31.2 by looking at the
€ between x=1 and x=2
value
X Y

1 3 €

3 9

I see that 31.2 will be between 3 & 9, but closer to 3. I would estimate it to be:
31.2 ≈ 4
I check this on the calculator to find that 31.2 = 3.737....
My€ estimate was close.
€
⎛ 1 ⎞ x ⎛ 1€
⎞1.7
#2 on pg. 505: y = ⎜ ⎟ ;⎜ ⎟
⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠

1. I graphed the function on my graphing calculator.

2. I see that the y-intercept is (0, 1)
€
⎛ 1 ⎞1.7
3. I looked at the “table” on the calculator to estimate ⎜ ⎟ by looking at the
⎝ 4 ⎠
value between x=1 and x=2
X Y

1 .25 €

2 .0625

⎛ 1 ⎞1.7
I see that ⎜ ⎟ will be between 0.25 & 0.0625, but closer to 0.0625. I would
⎝ 4 ⎠
estimate it to be about 0.1
I check this on the calculator to find the actual answer is 0.0947…
My estimate was close.
€