7.

1 Exponential Functions
Exponential Functions: · the base is a constant
· the exponent is a variable

Exponential functions are equations of form:

with base b where , , and

Some examples of exponential functions:

1
Exponential Growth vs. Exponential Decay
If a is positive, can be classified as
exponential growth or exponential decay.

In the case where a is positive:

If , then the function is classified as
exponential growth.
If , then the function is classified as
exponential decay.

If a is negative, then it's neither exponential growth

nor exponential decay.
Examples:

Exp. Growth Exp. Decay Neither

2
Reminder:
Vocab: an asymptote is a line that a graph approaches
(but rarely crosses) as or as

Graphs of Exponential Functions

Example 1) Graph the given function. State the domain
and range. List any asymptotes. Is it growth, decay, or
neither?
a.

Domain: Range: Asymptote:

Circle one: Growth Decay Neither

3
b.

Domain: Range: Asymptote:

Circle one: Growth Decay Neither

4
 c.

Domain: Range: Asymptote:

Circle one: Growth Decay Neither

5
For Exponential Functions of form:

is the horizontal asymptote

the vertical shift is units

the horizontal shift is units

6
Example 2) Graph the given function. State the domain
and range. List any asymptotes. List any translations.

a.

Domain: Range:

Asymptote: Translations:

7
b.

Domain: Range:

Asymptote: Translations:

8
 Solving Exponential Equations
Example 3) Solve for the variable.

a. b.

9
 Writing Exponential Equations using the Calculator

SOL Question - Multiple Choice:

10