An exponential function is a mathematical function in which an independent variable appears in one of the exponents.

The variable is now the power and the base is the fixed number as shown in this example: g(x) = 2x

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND THEIR GRAPHS

To graph an exponential function you first need to find domain. A domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (x), which allows the function formula to work. You also need to find range. The range is the set of all possible output values (y), which is the result from using the function formula.

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To graph an exponential function here are two examples f (x) = 2x, g(x) = 4x. First you substitute the variables with numbers. Here is a table to help you see more clearly.

Then you would plot the points on a graph.

The logarithm of a number is the exponent by which another fixed value, the base, must be raised to produce that number. An example is the logarithm of 1000 to base 10 is 3, because 1000 is 10 to the power 3: 1000 = 101010 = 103 Natural base e is the base of a natural logarithm and is approximately equal to 2.71828.

Logarithmic Functions and their Graphs

 Since

logs do not have a domain it will not include input values or y-values. An example is y = log2(x) Since 20 = 1, then log2(1) = 0, and (1, 0) is on the graph. Since 21 = 2, then log2(2) = 1, and (2, 1) is on the graph. Since 22 = 4, then log2(4) = 2, and (4, 2) is on the graph. Since 23 = 8, then log2(8) = 3, so (8, 3) is on the graph. The graph will look something like this:

Properties of Logarithms

Solve 32x1 = 27 32x1 = 27 32x1 = 33 Convert the 27 to 33 2x 1 = 3 Add 1 to both sides 2x = 4 Divide by 2 on both sides x = 2 Answer

log3 (7x + 3) = log3 (5x + 9). log3 (7x + 3) = log3 (5x + 9). 7x + 3 = 5x + 9 Subtract 5x and 3 to both sides and divide by 2 x = 3 Answer is 3

Drop both logs since they have the same base