Exponential Functions

𝑥
𝑦 =𝑓 𝑥 =𝐵⋅𝑎 +𝐶
The Form
• We will be considering the class of functions having form

𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑩𝒂𝒙 + 𝑪 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1, 𝐵 ≠ 0

• The variable ‘𝑥’ appears as the exponent (or power) of a positive base number ‘𝑎’ while ‘𝐵’
and ‘𝐶’ are just numerical parameters.

• Q: Identify the values of the parameters ‘𝐵’, ‘𝑎’ and ‘𝐶’ in

𝑒𝑡
1) 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2) 𝑓 𝑡 = −5 3) 𝑓 𝑥 = 10(1 − 3−𝑥 )
2

• A: 1) 𝑦 = (−1)2𝑥 + 0 ⟹ 𝐵 = −1, 𝑎 = 2, 𝐶 = 0
1 1
2) 𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑒 𝑡 + −5 ⟹ 𝐵 = , 𝑎 = 𝑒, 𝐶 = −5
2 2

1 𝑥 1
3) 𝑓 𝑥 = 10 1 − 3−𝑥 = 10 − 10 3−1 𝑥 = −10 + 10 ⟹ 𝐵 = −10, 𝑎 = , 𝐶 = 10
3 3
 𝑥
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎
Below is a table of select values for the output
of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 and 𝑔 𝑥 = 1Τ2 𝑥
= 2−𝑥

𝒙 𝟐𝒙 𝟐−𝒙
3 8 1/8
2 4 1/4
1 2 1/2
0 1 1
-1 1/2 2
-2 1/4 4
-3 1/8 8

Can you describe how their graphs are related?

The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥

h
g

f
How do these 3 graphs compare when x > 0 ?
At x = 0 ? When x < 0 ?
Can you relate what you see to the 3 base
values a = 2 for f(x), a = e for g(x), and a = 3
for h(x)?
 𝒙
The graph of 𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒂

Is an increasing function described as an

exponential growth if the base 𝒂 > 𝟏 but
is a decreasing function described as an
exponential decay if the base 𝟎 < 𝒂 < 𝟏
1
Has y-intercept 1 since 𝒂𝟎 = 𝟏

Grows closer to the x-axis (asymptote) 0 Lies above the x-axis since
but never reaches it 𝒂𝒙 > 𝟎 for all values of x
 𝑥
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐵𝑎
• Here are the graphs of 𝑦 = 0.8𝑥 ,
𝑦 = 2 × 0.8𝑥 and 𝑦 = −3 × 0.8𝑥 .

• The effect of the parameter 𝐵 is to

vertically stretch/press the curve
of 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 .

• If 𝐵 < 0, then it will also reflect the

curve through the x-axis.
 𝑥
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐵𝑎 + 𝐶
• Here are the graphs of 𝑦 = 2 × 0.8𝑥 ,
𝑦 = 2 × 0.8𝑥 + 1 and 𝑦 = 2 × 0.8𝑥 − 1.
Dashed lines are asymptotes.

• The effect of the parameter 𝐶 is to

vertically shift the curve of 𝑦 = 𝐵𝑎 𝑥 .

• The shift is upward when 𝐶 > 0 and is

downward when 𝐶 < 0.
 Selection of problems
A person deposits £10,000 in an account that offers a 5% annual interest rate. No
withdrawals or further deposits are made.

• Q: What will the account balance be after 1 year? 2 years? ’t’ years?

• A: 10,000 × 1 + 0.05 = 10,000 × 1.05 = 10,500

10,500 × 1.05 = 10,000 × 1.052 = 11,025

10,000 × 1.05𝑡

• Q: Describe the growth of the account balance.

• A: Exponential growth with base 𝑎 = 1.05

• Q: Verify that the balance will nearly double after 14 years.

• A: 1.0514 = 1.98 (2 𝑑𝑝) ≃ 2

 Selection of problems
• Q: Use the 14-year doubling time to produce a sketch of the curve
showing the account balance as a function of time for the next 28 years.

• A: 𝑡/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝐴/£10,000 = { 0,1 , 14,2 , (28,4)}

𝐴/£10,000

𝑡/𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
 Selection of problems
Consider the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑒 −𝑥 + 1

• Q: What is the output when the input is 0.

• A: 𝑦 = 𝑓 0 = 3(1) + 1 = 4

• Q: As the input 𝑥 grows larger, the output grows closer to but

never quite reaches 𝑦 = 𝐶. What is the value of 𝐶?

• A: 𝐶 = 1
 Selection of problems
• Q: Sketch the graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑒 −𝑥 + 1 for values 𝑥 ≥ 0 showing
its y-intercept as well as its horizontal asymptote.

• A:

.
 Selection of problems
A manufacturer of mobile phones is ready to release their latest model. The
sales and marketing scouts predict that the quantity sold in the beginning
will rise quickly to reach 5 million units only 2 months after the release.
Afterwards, sales will slow down approaching a total of 12 million units many
months later.

• Q: Find a function 𝑄 𝑡 = 𝐵𝑎𝑡 + 𝐶 that agrees with the scouts’ predictions

where 𝑄 𝑡 is the quantity sold in millions of units 𝑡 months after release.
Then, sketch the curve of the function. Do not forget to label the axes.
 Selection of problems
• A: 𝑦 = 12 is the horizontal asymptote so the parameter 𝐶 = 12.

𝑄 0 = 𝐵𝑎0 + 12 = 𝐵 + 12 = 0 ⟹ 𝐵 = −𝐶 = −12.

𝑄 2 = −12𝑎2 + 12 = 5 ⟹ 𝑎2 = 7/12 ⟹ 𝑎 = 7/12 ≅ 0.764 (3 𝑑𝑝).

𝑄 𝑡 = −12 × 0.764𝑡 + 12 = 12(1 − 0.764𝑡 ).

 Selection of problems
Q in millions 𝑄 𝑡 = 12(1 − 0.764𝑡 )

t in months