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Exponential Function Reference

This is the Exponential Function:

f(x) = ax
a is any value greater than 0

Properties depend on value of "a"

When a=1, the graph is a horizontal line at y=1
Apart from that there are two cases to look at:

a between 0 and 1

a above 1

Example: f(x) = (0.5) x

Example: f(x) = (2) x

For a between 0 and 1

For a above 1:

As x increases, f(x) heads to 0

As x increases, f(x) heads to

As x decreases, f(x) heads to

infinity

infinity

As x decreases, f(x) heads to 0

It is a Strictly Decreasing function

it is a Strictly Increasing function

(and so is "Injective")

(and so is "Injective")

It has a Horizontal Asymptote

It has a Horizontal Asymptote

along the x-axis (y=0).

along the x-axis (y=0).

Plot the graph here (use the "a" slider)

In General:
It is always greater than 0, and never crosses the x-axis
It always intersects the y-axis at y=1 ... in other words it passes through
(0,1)

At x=1, f(x)=a ... in other words it passes through (1,a)

It is an Injective (one-to-one) function
Its Domain is the Real Numbers :
Its Range is the Positive Real Numbers:

(0, +)

Inverse
ax

is the inverse function of

loga(x) (the

Logarithmic Function )

So the Exponential Function can be "reversed" by the Logarithmic Function.

The Natural Exponential Function

This is the "Natural" Exponential Function:

f(x) = ex
Where e is " Eulers Number " = 2.718281828459 (and more ...)

Graph of f(x) = ex
At the point (1,e) the slope of the line is e and the line is tangent to the curve.

Exponents and Logarithms

Common Functions Reference
Algebra Index

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