The exponential function is a function that can be described as f(x)

= ax where “x” is any number and “a” must be greater than 0. “a” is
called the base of the function. There are some other forms of
exponential function such as f(x) = abx, f(x) = ex, and f(x) = pekx. “e” is
the “Euler’s number”, and e is approximately equal to 2.718. The
domain of an exponential can be all real numbers. The exponential
function can be used to calculate exponential growth and decay.
Exponential growth, exponential decay, domain, range, and
asymptotes are concepts that I first think about concerning exponential
function.
The logarithmic function is a function that can be described as f(x)
= logax where “a” and “x” must be greater than 0. “a” is called the base.
The logarithmic functions can be in the form of natural logarithmic (ln)
or common logarithmic (log). “ln” is equivalent to “loge”. A logarithmic
function can be transformed into an exponential function. For example,
y = logax can be transformed into ay = x, and y = ln(x) can be
transformed into ey = x. The range of a logarithmic function can be all
real numbers.
Common logarithms, natural logarithms, base, power, and
asymptotes came first into my mind when I think about logarithmic
functions.
The simplest exponential function is f(x) = 2x. The simplest
logarithmic function is f(x) = log3x.
In our day-to-day, we can use the concept of exponential decay to
calculate the time required to freeze water in a freezer. Let’s consider
that water is 40 degrees Celsius at room temperature. We put it into a
freezer at -4 degrees Celsius. After 10 minutes, the water becomes 37
degrees Celsius. By using this data, we can calculate at which time the
water will freeze by using Newton’s Law of Cooling which is based on
exponential decay. The formula is T(t) = Aekt + Ts where T is the
temperature of an object, Ts is the surrounding temperature, t is time and
k is constant.
By the data,
T(0) = 40
Aek0 – 4 = 40 (e0 = 1)
A = 44

T(10) = 32
44 ek10 – 4 = 32
ek10 = 36 / 44
10k = ln(36 / 44)
k = - 0.0201

T(t) = 0
44 e-0.0201t – 4 = 0
e-0.0201t = 1 / 11
-0.0201t = ln(1 / 11)
t = 119.30

Therefore, after approximately 119 minutes, the water will freeze.

To draw a graph for this problem, we put time(t) on the x-axis and
temperature(T(t)) on the y-axis. We use the function T(t) = 44 e-0.0201t
– 4. We find the y-intercept when t = 0, and we get the y-intercept (0,
40). Then we find the x-intercept when T(t) = 0 and we get the x-
intercept (119.3, 0). Then we find the points between the x and y
intercepts. The horizontal asymptote y = -4. By connecting the points,
we get a smooth and curved graph of exponential decay.