Modeling with

Exponential & Power

Functions

Definition of the Exponential

Function
The exponential function f with base b is defined by
f (x) = bxx or y = bxx
/
Where b is a positive constant other than and x is any real number.
Here are some examples of exponential functions.
f (x) = 2x
g(x) = 10x
h(x) = 3x+1
Base is 2.

Base is 10.

Base is 3.

Text Example

The exponential function f (x) = 13.49(0.967)x 1 describes the

number of O-rings expected to fail, when the temperature is xF.
On the morning the Challenger was launched, the temperature was
31F, colder than any previous experience. Find the number of Orings expected to fail at this temperature.
Solution Because the temperature was 31F, substitute 31 for x and
evaluate the function at 31.
f (x) = 13.49(0.967)x 1
f (31) = 13.49(0.967)31 1

f (31) = 13.49(0.967)31 1=3.77

This is the given function.

Substitute 31 for x.

Relationships of
Exponential (y = bx) & Logarithmic
(y = logbx) Functions
y = bx

y = logbx is the
inverse of y = bx

Converting between
Exponents & Logarithms
BASEEXPONENT = POWER
42 = 16
4 is the base. 2 is the exponent.
16 is the power.
As a logarithm,
logBASEPOWER=EXPONENT
log 4 16 = 2

Logarithmic Abbreviations

log10 x = log x (Common log)

loge x = ln x (Natural log)
e = 2.71828...

The exponential function f with base a is

defined by
f(x) = ax
where a > 0, a 1, and x is any real
number.
For instance,
f(x) = 3x and g(x) = 0.5x
are exponential functions.

19

The value of f(x) = 3x when x = 2 is

f(2) = 32 9
=
The value of f(x) = 3x when x = 2 is
f(2) = 3

The value of g(x) = 0.5x when x = 4 is

g(4) = 0.54 0.062
=
5
8

The Graph of f(x) = ax, a > 1

y

Range: (0,
)
(0,
1)

Domain: (, )

Horizontal
Asymptote
y=0

The Graph of f(x) = ax, 0 < a <1

y

Range: (0,
)
Horizontal
(0,
Asymptote
y=0
1)

Domain: (, )

10

Experimental Data

x
If data from an experiment is analysed, say x and y, and plotted,
and it is found to form an exponential growth curve then x and y
are related by the formula:

y=abx
(a and b are constants)

 When you are given more than 2 points

of data, you can decide whether an
exponential model fits the points by
plotting the natural logarithms of the
y values against the x values.
If the new points (x, ln y or log y) fit a
linear pattern, then the original points
(x,y) fit an exponential pattern.

(-2, ) (-1, ) (0, 1) (1, 2)

(x, lny)
(-2, -1.38) (-1, -.69) (0,0) (1, .69)

Finding an exponential model

Cell phone subscribers 1988-1997
t= # years since 1987

1.6

2.7

4.4

6.4

lny

10

8.9 13.1 19.3 28.2 38.2 48.7

0.47 0.99 1.48 1.86 2.19 2.59 2.96 3.34 3.64 3.89

Now plot (x,lny)

Since the points lie close to a line, an exponential model should

be a good fit.

 Use 2 points to write the linear equation.

(2, .99) & (9, 3.64)
m= 3.64 - .99 = 2.65 = .379
92
7
(y - .99) = .379 (x 2)
y - .99 = .379x - .758
y = .379x + .233 LINEAR MODEL FOR (t,lny)
The y values were lns & xs were t so:
lny = .379t + .233 now solve for y
elny = e.379t + .233
exponentiate both sides
y = (e.379t)(e.233)
properties of exponents
y = (e.233)(e.379t)
Exponential model

 y = (e.233)(e.379t)

y = 1.26 1.46t

You can use a graphing

calculator that performs
exponential regression to do this
also.
It uses all the original data.
Input data and push exponential
regression

Input data here

Then edit & enter
the data. 2nd quit to
get out.

Exp regression is 10
So the calculators exponential
equation is
y = 1.3 1.46t

Modeling with POWER functions

y = axb
Only 2 points are
needed
(2,5) & (6,9)
5 = a 2b
9 = a 6b

a = 5/2b
9 = (5/2b)6b
9 = 53b
1.8 = 3b
log31.8 = log33b
.535 b
a = 3.45
y = 3.45x.535

 You can decide if a power model fits

data points if:
(lnx,lny) fit a linear pattern
Then (x,y) will fit a power pattern
You can also use power regression on
the calculator to write a model for data.

Example 2 (Logarithmic)
Experimental data are given in the table:
x
y

2.15

2.13

2.00

1.98

1.95

1.93

83.33

79.93

64.89

62.24

59.70

57.26

i) Show that x and y are related by the formula y = ab x.

ii) Find the values of a and b (to 1dp) and state the formula that
connects x and y.
i)

x
2.15
log10 y 1.921

2.13

2.00

1.98

1.95

1.93

1.903

1.812

1.794

1.776

1.758

As a straight
line is produced
when x is
plotted against
log 10 y then the
formula relating
x and y is of the
form y = a b x.

 Formula relating x and y is:

y=abx

y = 2.1(5.5) x

Steps:
i) Make a table of x and log10y.
ii) Plot x against log10y.
iii) If a straight line is produced then state that the form is y = a b x.

iv) Use calculator to solve the constants a, b in formula

v) State complete formula : y = ab x.

Activity
Consider the lobster catch data (in millions of
lbs.) in the last 30 some years
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Year
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
t
19
22
20
27
36
56
Lobster 17
Enter into Data Matrix
Fit an exponential model to Lobster catch

26

Thats All Folks !