1 Exponential Functions

Algebra II Topic: Exponential Functions

By: Trevin, Gordon, Olivia, Cameron, and Levi

Definitions:
1. The exponential function is y=e
x
. The function is used to demonstrate relationships where
change in the independent variable will maintain the same percent change in the dependent. It is
used in both the sciences and mathematics fields. In a scientific application it can be used to
model the half-life of an element as well as population growth or decay over a period of time.

2. Exponential functions represent the relationship between the constant change in the
independent variable and the proportional change of the dependent variable. Exponential growth
occurs faster than polynomial growth, so that eventually, the output of any exponential function
will be larger than the output of any polynomial growth. Polynomial growth, when graphed looks
like a U that goes on to positive or negative infinity. A basic formula for an exponential function
is y = ab
x
in which base b is greater than zero and doesnt equal one, and x is any real number.
When b is greater than one, the equation represents exponential growth, meaning that the value
of y increases as the value of x increases. One classic example of this in science is population
growth. If b is between zero and one, then the equation is an exponential decay formula, so that
as x increases, y decreases exponentially. This type of equation is often used when describing
radioactive decay.

3. Exponential functions are functions with a base that is raised to a power, which is a variable.
Exponential functions are used in the real world to calculate changes in the population, to
2 Exponential Functions
calculate the spread of diseases, and the growth or decay (decrease) of something. A basic
equation example of an exponential equation is f(x) = e^x.

4. An exponential function is a mathematical expression in the form of y=ab^x, where the
constant b is raised to the power of x, b is a positive number other than 1, and a can not equal
zero. a and x are any real positive numbers.

Skills needed:
In order to apply exponential equations, you must have knowledge of division,
multiplication, addition, subtraction, numbers from .0001 to 1,000,000 and most other basic math
tools. Three of the specific tools are very important: graphing, a general understanding of
exponents and order of operations. You will also have to know what variables are as well and
how they are used in math. Variables are letters that symbolize a number that is not known in an
equation/function , A,B,C,D,a,b,c,d, etc., are all often used in math. Exponents are a foundation
of exponential functions, for obvious reasons. You will have to understand how to use
exponents; an exponent represents a number that guides how many times the base number is
multiplied by itself. For example 3 is equal to 3*3. Order of operations also known as
P.E.M.D.A.S. is a system to solving equations. P.E.M.D.A.S. means Parentheses, Exponents,
Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction this order is followed when solving equations so
you don't get the wrong answer. Now this process needs to be done from left to right in the
abbreviation going step by step. This process is only reversed when you are solving for a
variable such as x. Some things can be flipped though for any operation like addition and
subtraction can be done before each other. This is the same with multiplication and division. A
graph is two lines that have measurements to show the relationships typically between two
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different equations. The vertical line is the y axis and the horizontal line is the x axis. Typically
the measurement goes by ones and can go on forever. If the function is in (h,k) form, where h
moves the graph right or left and k moves it up and down, the equation will look like y = ab
(x
- h)
+ k. In that case you must know how to use exponents in order to interpret the equation.
Exponential functions are almost always represented with a graph because it shows the visual of
the growth or decay. Because of the value of this visual, graphing is an important part of
exponential functions. In the equation, the growth rate shows the constant growth of a function in
growth equations, and the decay rate shows the constant decrease of a function in a decay
equation. Once a graph is made you can see the curve and you can have a visual factor to show
others. You can also use a table to show an exponential function. However, a graph is the best
way of showing that an exponential function that goes on forever in each direction. In a table, it
is much harder to represent the infinite properties of an exponential function.
Professions:
Biologist/Ecologist
Geologist/Seismologist
Nurse
Chemist
Businessman/woman
Examples From Professions:

Example 1: Biologist/ Ecologist (Population Growth)
In order to estimate human population growth, scientists of many types use exponential
functions (McConnell). A specific example of this is from a lecture about population growth by
two Western Oregon University professors. In the lecture, they use this real-world situation:
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In 1997, the population was 5.85 billion (5.85x10 ), and the growth rate was about
1.36% per year. Given that resources dont become limited, what will the world population be in
2017? (McConnell)

The equation for population growth is, N=N (e)
kt
where N
0
is the initial population, k is the rate
of growth, and t is the time over which growth is being measured, and e is an irrational
mathematical constant that can be approximated as 2.71828.
Step 1: plug in numbers
N=(5.85 x 10
9
)(e)
0.0136x20

Step 2: simplify
N=(5.85x10
9
)x1.313
Step 3: finish simplifying
N=7.679x10
9

The estimated population in 2017 is 7.679 billion which is a significant growth in just a 20 year
and is only of by a couple years as of 2012 the earth was at 7 billion. But the error in the amount
of people is ok when scientists are only using this equation to get an estimation on the general
population of the world.


Example 2: Geologist (Earthquake Comparison)
The San Francisco quake of 1906 had a magnitude of 8.3 (Pinter). In order to compare the
damage and cost of this earthquake to another, such as the recent magnitude 9.0 quake in Japan
during March of 2011 (USGS), you use the equation .In A
M=x
=K * 10
x
this equation, x represents
the earthquakes magnitude, A is the amplitude of the seismic waves created by the quake, and K
5 Exponential Functions
is an arbitrary constant.
Using the data provided:
A
M=8.3
=k * 10
8.3

and
A
M=9
=k * 10
9

When solving for the difference between two earthquakes magnitudes, you are finding the ratio
between them (Pinter), so you divide.
(k * 10
9
)(k * 10
8.3
)
K cancels, and you are left with 10
9
10
8.3
, or, using a knowledge of the properties of
exponents,10
9-8.3
,which simplifies to 10
.7
, or 5.012, which is the actual difference between the
two earthquakes seismic waves.

Example 3: Nurse (Medicine Doses)
I interviewed Cynthia Dott and she said that, When finding the amount of time it will take for a
medication to get to a certain amount after a certain time, nurses use the exponential equation,
A(t) = A
o
a
t
. Then she gave the basic example of how this equation was used every day for
patients:
A(t) = the amount of medicine after time has past. A
o
= initial amount of dosage. a = rate of
decay, (0,1) 0<a<1. Eg: A(t) =62, A
o
=600, a =100% - 5%= 95% : 62=600 (.95)
t
: 0.103=.95
t
:
log.95
log.103
t = 0.0225
(*t is the exponent)
(Cynthia Dott)
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Example 4: Chemist (Decay)
Chemists use exponential equations to work with the half-life of elements and materials whose
quantity decay over time. The equation N(t)=No(1/2)
(t/(t1/2))
is used to determine how much of an
element remains after time. No is the initial amount of the element, N(t) is the quantity that has
not yet decayed after time. t1/2 is the half life of the element.
Example:
Biologists found a fossil that was 5,700 years old and they want to find how much carbon 14 it
has left they then go through this equation.
N(t) = N
0
e
kt
Time: 5,700 years
N(5700)=e^(k*5700)
=e^(5700k)
Ln () = ln e ^(5700k) = 5700k
k = ln() = .0001216
5700

Example 5: Business Men/Women(Growth)
In Business exponential functions are used a lot to represent growth in companies.
Everyone has a goal that they want to achieve within a set time span. The exponential equation is
used excessively when predicting the perfect growth of a new company. I have found that the
main uses of this in business is of size of the company and profit. An example would be revenue
in the Cisco company for the year. The revenue growth of 10 percent of $1 million means
revenue grows by $100,000. Revenue growth of 10 percent of $100 million means revenue
grows by $10 million. This analysis implies that a trend curve for forecasting revenue should
grow more steeply and have an increasing slope(Modeling Exponential Growth 1).
To figure this out i found that Cisco has dependent variable time be the x axis and the
independent variable be revenue on the y axis. The equation Y=ab^x is used with the change of
variables to y=ae^x. Then b would be about 2.7182 due to natural logarithms(Modeling
Exponential Growth 1). The Cisco example doesn't use A so A is 1 and has no effect. Then based
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on a general time frame of a decade they use the equation to find that there exponential growth
over the decade period should match their true growth. Their equation states at the beginning of
1990 there revenue was 103 million then at 2000 the revenue was predicted to be
17,389,000,000. Their true revenue was about 18 billion. This is why the exponential function is
used by businessmen to find where the company should go next.







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