Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

4.1 : Exponential Functions

Definition:

The exponential function 𝑓 with base 𝒃 is defined by 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒃𝒙 𝒐𝒓 𝒚 = 𝒃𝒙 where b is a

positive constant other than 1. (𝒃 > 0 , 𝑏 ≠ 1).

𝑥 is any real number.

Domain of exponential function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒃𝒙 : all real numbers (R).

Range of exponential function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒃𝒙 : (0, ∞)

Examples :

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
1 𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 , 𝑔(𝑥) = 10 , ℎ(𝑥) = 𝜋 , 𝑗(𝑥) = ( ) , 𝑘(𝑥) = 3−𝑥+1
2
The function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒆𝒙 is called a natural exponential function. The irrational number 𝑒 ≈
2.72 is called a natural base.

Examples of non exponential functions:

𝑔(𝑥) = (−1)𝑥 , 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑥 , 𝑘(𝑥) = 1𝑥 , 𝑔(𝑥) = (−4)𝑥 , H(x) = 𝑥 2

 Evaluating an exponential function:

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑔(𝑥) = (1.56)𝑥 evaluate 𝑔(4) =

Example 1: Approximate each number using a calculator . Round your answer to three
decimal places

5) 4−1.5=

9) 𝑒 −0.95=

 Graphing Exponential Functions:

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

Example 2:

3 𝑥
13) Graph 𝑓(𝑥) = (2) . Then find domain, range and the equation of asymptote.

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥, 𝑦)

𝒇(𝒙)
Domain
Range
Horizontal
Asymptote
H.A

17) Graph 𝑓(𝑥) = ( 0.6)𝑥 . Then find domain, range and

the equation of asymptote

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) (x, y)

𝒇(𝒙)
Domain
Range
Horizontal
Asymptote
H.A

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

Transformation of Exponential Function (𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 )

Transformation Equation Description

Vertical Shift 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑐 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥, 𝑦 + 𝑐)
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 − 𝑐 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝑐)
Horizontal Shift 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥+𝑐 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥 − 𝑐, 𝑦)
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥−𝑐 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥 + 𝑐, 𝑦)
Reflection about x-axis 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑏 𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥, −𝑦)
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 −𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (−𝑥, 𝑦)
Reflection about y-axis
Vertical stretching or shrinking 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑏 𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥, 𝑐𝑦)
Horizontal stretching or 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑐𝑥 𝑥
(𝑥, 𝑦) → ( , 𝑦)
shrinking 𝑐

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

Example3:

29) Begin by Graphing 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 .then use transformation of this graph to graph given
function. Give the equation of the asymptotes. Use the graph to determine each function’s
domain and range

a) ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥+2 − 1

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦)

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥
ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥+2 − 1
Domain
Domain
Range
Range
Horizontal Horizontal
Asymptote Asymptote
H.A H.A

Example 4: Begin by Graphing 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .then use

transformation of this graph to graph given function. Give the
equation of the asymptotes. Use the graph to determine each
function’s domain and range

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑥 + 2

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑥 + 2

Domain

Range

Horizontal
Asymptote
H.A

Example5:

1 𝑥
Begin by Graphing 𝑓(𝑥) = (2) .then use transformation of
this graph to graph given function. Give the equation of the
asymptotes. Use the graph to determine each function’s
domain and range

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

1 𝑥−1
𝑔(𝑥) = −3 ( ) +1
2

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥, 𝑦)

𝑓(𝑥)
𝑔(𝑥)
Domain
Domain
Range
Range
Horizontal Horizontal
Asymptote Asymptote
H.A H.A

Example 6:

61) Give the equation of the exponential function whose graph is shown.

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

Example:

Example

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

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Chapter4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4.1 : Exponential Functions

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