Distinguishing

Between Linear
and Exponential
Functions
MR. ARTURO MALDONADO
ALGEBRA 1
Lecture Objective
Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and with
exponential functions. 
    a. Prove that linear functions grow by equal differences over equal intervals, and
that exponential functions grow by equal factors over equal intervals.
    b. Recognize situations in which one quantity changes at a constant rate per unit
interval relative to another. 
    c. Recognize situations in which a quantity grows or decays by a constant percent
rate per unit interval relative to another. 
Relationships In Your Life
Have you ever wondered where we can apply the
topics, we have been learning in this class to the world
around you?

How does interest work on loans?

When do we know when something is an exponential

growth versus a linear growth?

Would you rather get a dollar every day for 30 days on

top of receiving one million dollars or would you rather
start off with two pennies the double every day for 30
days?
Linear vs Exponential Functions
 
What do you think? List a couple of things you know about linear functions and a couple of thing you
know about exponential functions.

An exponential function is a function of the form: where

Where is our base, x can be any real number, and is our y-intercept

A linear function is a function of the form:

Where is our slope, is our y-intercept, and where x can be any real number.
Linear vs Exponential Functions
What do you think the graphs of Linear functions look like versus that of an exponential function? Draw
what you think each looks like on your notes.

 Linear Function:  Exponential Function:

𝑓  (𝑥) 𝑓  (𝑥)
Our Functions In Practice:
Exponential functions can be seen when
dealing with population growth/decay,
compound interest, economics, and many
other topics.
Linear functions can be seen when calculating
income over time, calculating mileage rates,
predicting profit, or many other topics.
Would you rather have a salary that grows
exponentially or linearly? Discuss why with
your partner.
Earthquakes
Here’s a neat video explaining how
earthquakes are measured using
linear functions and exponential
functions.
What Would You Rather Have?
One Million dollars plus one dollar every day or Start off with two pennies that double every
for 30 days? day for 30 days?
Write an equation for each of these scenarios to get the total final amount in dollars in your guided notes .
𝑓  ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 +1000000   2𝑥
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
100
𝑓  ( 30 )=30+1000000   230
𝑓 ( 30 )=
100
𝑓  ( 30 )=$ 1,000,030 𝑓  ( 30 )=$ 10,737,418.24

We can clearly see that one of these is the better option.

Which Function Should We Use?
 
Suppose we want to find out which function we want to use when given the following scenario:
Suppose you wanted to figure out the population of bunnies after amount of years if we start off with
an initial population of 500 bunnies and that population grows at a rate of 50% each year.

What is the key information of this problem?

Initial amount: 500 Bunnies

Rate: 0.50 Why?

Linear or Exponential Function?

Now You Try!
 What function will we use in the following scenario?

Suppose you want to figure out the total profit made from tickets sold at a local movie theater. Each
movie ticket costs $9, how much money will be made if people come to the movie theater?

What’s the key information?

Price of each ticket: $9

Number of people that came:

Linear or exponential?
Proving Exponential and Linear
Growth
 
How can we be sure that exponential functions grow at the same rate everywhere in its domain? How
can we be sure that linear functions grow at the same rate?

Graph the following functions on a graphing calculator:

  Each previous input is being multiplied by a factor of 3

Each previous input is being multiplied by a factor of 1.56

Each previous input is being added by a factor of

Each previous input is being added by a factor of 2

Not In Form
 Let’s assume that we are given exponential functions and linear functions that are not in the form we
want them to be in. What can we do? We solve and manipulate the functions so that they’re in the form
we want of course!

Ex) Assume you have the following linear function: Put the function into slope-intercept form.

Recall Slope-Intercept form:

(We need to isolate our term.

(Subtracting 6 to both sides)

(Divide both sides by 3 and we obtain our slope intercept form.)

Not In Form (Cont.)
  In the situation in which you have an exponential function that is not in form, we want to
Ex)
manipulate the expression so that it is in standard form.

Recall Standard form of an exponential function:

(We need to Isolate )

(Rearrange the right side)

(Divide both sides by 5 and we now have our function in standard form)
Now You Try!
Manipulate the following functions into the correct form.

   
What Have We Learned?
Write a one paragraph summary in your notes about what we have learned in this lecture. Reflect on
the material and only write down what you believe is the most important information. The reflection
may come in handy when we take our exam on exponential and linear functions.