OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED

Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

11

Module 7

JANWILL A. PAZ
Instructor
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

Mathematics – Grade 11
Quarter 1 – Module 7:

Exponential Functions

You want to know?

This module is designed to help you think and develop mathematical ideas. There are times
when you will feel confused, and there are times when it will be necessary to work on an
idea over a period of several days. You will encounter many interesting and challenging
problems in this module.

Goals:
 Represent an exponential function through its: (a) table of values, (b) graph,
and (c) equation.
 Find the domain and range of an exponential function.
 Find the intercept, zeros, and asymptote of an exponential function.
 Graph exponential functions.

Vocabulary List:

 Transformation – the process of moving a figure from the starting position to

some ending position without changing its size or shape.
 Reflection – a transformation that produces a new figure, which is a mirror
image of the original figure.
 Translation – a shift or movement in a figure’s location without changing its
shape.
 Glide Reflection – a combination of a reflection and a translation (glide).
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

Getting Ready:

ENTRY CARD

Direction:
Tell whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE. TRUE FALSE

1. There is an integer x that will make x 2 equal to 2 x.

2. Every linear function has x-intercept.

3. A quadratic function has vertical asymptote.

4. The graph of y = x intersects the graph of y = -x at (1,1).

5. 3−2=−9

Starting Point:

An exponential function is a mathematical function, which is used in many real-world

situations. It is mainly used to find the exponential decay or exponential growth or to
compute investments, model populations and so on. In this article, let us discuss in detail
about the exponential function formulas, rules, properties, graphs, derivatives, exponential
series and examples.

Table of Contents:

 Definition
 Formula
 Graph
 Derivative
 Series
 Properties
 Rules
 Examples
 Problem
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

1 What is Exponential Function?

An exponential function is a Mathematical function in form f (x) = ax , where “x” is a variable
and “a” is a constant which is called the base of the function and it should be greater than 0.
The most commonly used exponential function base is the transcendental number e, which
is approximately equal to 2.71828.

2 Exponential Function Formula

An exponential function is defined by the formula f(x) = ax, where the input variable x occurs
as an exponent. The exponential curve depends on the exponential function and it depends
on the value of the x.

The exponential function is an important mathematical function which is of the form

f(x) = ax

Where a>0 and a is not equal to 1.

x is any real number.

If the variable is negative, the function is undefined for -1 < x < 1.

Here,

“x” is a variable

“a” is a constant, which is the base of the function.

But, mostly the base of the exponential function is encountered by the transcendental
number “e”, which is approximately equal to 2.71828.

An exponential curve can grow or decay depends on the exponential function. Any quantity
that grows or decays by a fixed per cent at regular intervals should possess either
exponential growth or exponential decay.

Exponential Growth

In Exponential Growth, the quantity increases very slowly at first, and then rapidly. The rate
of change increases over time. The rate of growth becomes faster as time passes. The rapid
growth meant to be an “exponential increase”. The formula to define the exponential growth
is:

y = a ( 1+ r )x

Where r is the growth percentage.

 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

Exponential Decay

In Exponential Decay, the quantity decreases very rapidly at first, and then slowly. The rate
of change decreases over time. The rate of change becomes slower as time passes. The
rapid growth meant to be an “exponential decrease”. The formula to define the exponential
growth is:

y = a ( 1- r )x

3 Exponential Function Graph

The following figure represents the graph of exponents of x. It can be seen that as the
exponent increases, the curves get steeper and the rate of growth increases respectively.
Thus for x > 1, the value of y = fn(x) increases for increasing values of (n).

From the above discussion, it can be seen that the nature of polynomial functions is
dependent on its degree. Higher the degree of any polynomial function, then higher is its
growth. A function which grows faster than a polynomial function is y = f(x) = ax, where a>1.
Thus, for any of the positive integers n the function f (x) is said to grow faster than that of
fn(x).

Thus, the exponential function having base greater than 1, i.e., a > 1 is defined as y = f(x) =
ax. The domain of exponential function will be the set of entire real numbers R and the range
are said to be the set of all the positive real numbers.

It must be noted that exponential function is increasing and the point (0, 1) always lies on the
graph of an exponential function. Also, it is very close to zero if the value of x is largely
negative.

Exponential function having base 10 is known as a common exponential function. Consider

the following series:
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

The value of this series lies between 2 &3. it is represented by e. Keeping e as base the
function, we get y = ex, which is a very important function in mathematics known as a natural
exponential function.

For a > 1, the logarithm of b to base a is x if ax = b. Thus, loga b = x if ax = b. This function is
known as logarithmic function.

For base a = 10, this function is known as common logarithm and for the base a = e, it is
known as natural logarithm denoted by ln x. Following are some of the important
observations regarding logarithmic functions which have base a>1.

 The domain of log function consists of positive real numbers only, as we cannot

interpret the meaning of log functions for negative values.
 For the log function, though the domain is only the set of positive real numbers, the
range is set of all real values, I.e. R
 When we plot the graph of log functions and move from left to right, the functions
show increasing behaviour.
 The graph of log function never cuts x-axis or y-axis, though it seems to tend towards
them.
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

 Logap = α, logbp = β and logba = µ, then aα = p, bβ = p and bµ = a

 Logbpq = Logbp + Logbq
 Logbpy = ylogbp
 Logb (p/q) = logbp – logbq

4 Exponential Function Derivative

Let us now focus on the derivative of exponential functions.

The derivative of ex with respect to x is ex, I.e. d(ex)/dx = ex

It is noted that the exponential function f(x) =ex  has a special property. It means that the
derivative of the function is the function itself.

(i.e) = f ‘(x) = ex = f(x)

5 Exponential Series

6 Exponential Function Properties

 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

The exponential graph of a function represents the exponential function properties.

Let us consider the exponential function, y=2x

The graph of function y=2x is shown below. First, the property of the exponential function
graph when the base is greater than 1.

Exponential Function Graph for y=2x

The graph passes through the point (0,1).

 The domain is all real numbers.

 The range is y>0.
 The graph is increasing.
 The graph is asymptotic to the x-axis as x approaches negative infinity
 The graph increases without bound as x approaches positive infinity
 The graph is continuous
 The graph is smooth

Exponential Function Graph y=2-x 

 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

The graph of function y=2-x is shown above. The properties of the exponential function and
its graph when the base is between 0 and 1 are given.

 The line passes through the point (0,1).

 The domain includes all real numbers.
 The range is of y>0.
 It forms a decreasing graph
 The line in the graph above is asymptotic to the x-axis as x approaches positive
infinity.
 The line increases without bound as x approaches negative infinity.
 It is a continuous graph.
 It forms a smooth graph.

7 Exponential Function Rules

Some important exponential rules are given below:

If a>0, and  b>0, the following hold true for all the real numbers x and y:

 ax ay = ax+y
 ax/ay = ax-y
 (ax)y = axy
 axbx=(ab)x
 (a/b)x= ax/bx
 a0=1
 a-x= 1/ ax

8 Exponential Functions Examples

The examples of exponential functions are:

 f(x) = 2x

9 Solved problem

Question:

Simplify the exponential equation 2x-2x+1

Solution:

Given exponential equation: 2x-2x+1

 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

By using the property: ax ay = ax+y

Hence, 2x+1 can be written as 2x. 2

 
Thus the given equation is written as:

2x-2x+1 =2x-2x. 2

Now, factor out the term 2x

2x-2x+1 =2x-2x. 2 = 2x(1-2)

2x-2x+1 = 2x(-1)

2x-2x+1 = – 2x

Therefore, the simplification of the given exponential equation  2x-2x+1 is  – 2x

Activity:
Test 1: Evaluate the following for the indicated values(s) of x.
1. f(x) = 3x

2. f(x) = 4 – 3x

3. g(x) = 3 x

Test 2: Make a table of coordinates then graph each function.

1. f ( x )=5 x

2. f ( x )=6− x

3. g ( x )=3 x−2
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

Test 3: Without graphing, compare the graphs of the indicated functions from the
given function.

1. Given: f ( x )=2 x

a. f ( x )=2 x+1

b. f ( x )=2 x −3

c. f ( x )=2 x+1−1

d. f ( x )=2 ×2 x

e. f ( x )=−2x

Developing skills:
Graph each function.

1. f ( x )=e−x

2. f ( x )=e2 x

3. f ( x )=e−3 x

Bibliography:
 OLIVEROS COLLEGE (OCI) INCORPORATED
Zone 2 Gov. Crescini St., San Franciso, Iriga City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
e-mail address: oci_iriga@yahoo.com.ph
Tel. No. 299 – 7734

Orance, Orlando A. 2016. General Mathematics.