Exponential Functions

General Mathematics
Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able
to:
• 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; and
• graph exponential functions.
Zero as an Exponent
• If a ≠ 0, then a⁰ = 1
Negative Exponent
• If n is any integer, and a and b are not equal to
zero, then
n n n
n 1 1 a b
a     n and    
a a b a
• Illustration
−1
1
 
1
 
−1
2 =
2
( )
2
=2

Note: The negative exponent does not make the

answer negative
Exponential Function
An exponential function can be written as
f (x) = bˣ

where b > 0, b ≠ 1, and x is any real number

In the equation f(x) = bˣ, b is a constant called

the base and x is an independent variable
called the exponent.
 Here are some examples of exponential
functions.

 
=  
g=  
h=

The following are not exponential functions.

 
=  
g=  
h=
The base is a The base is of an exponential Both the base and the exponent
variable function must be a positive are variables
constant other than 1
 Properties of Exponential Functions and their
Graphs
Let f(x) = bˣ, b > 0, and b ≠ 1.

1. The domain is the set of real numbers,

(-∞, ∞).
2. The range is the set of positive real numbers,
(0, ∞).
 Properties of Exponential Functions and their
Graphs
Let f(x) = bˣ, b > 0, and b ≠ 1.

3. The function passes through the point (0,1)

because f(0) = b⁰ = 1.
 Properties of Exponential Functions and their
Graphs
Let f(x) = bˣ, b > 0, and b ≠ 1.

4. The graph approaches but does not reach the

x-axis. The x-axis is the horizontal asymptote.
 Properties of Exponential Functions and their
Graphs
Let f(x) = bˣ, b > 0, and b ≠ 1.

5. If b > 1, f is an increasing exponential function.

If 0 < b < 1, f is a decreasing exponential
function
 Different Transformations
Transformation – the process of moving a figure
from the starting position to some ending
position without changing its size and shape.
a. Horizontal Translation
b. Vertical Translation
c. Vertical Stretching or Shrinking
d. Reflection
Definition

Translation – a shift or movement in a figure’s

location without changing its shape.

Reflection – a transformation that produces a

new figure, which is a mirror image of the
original figure.
 Horizontal Translation
𝒙 +𝒄
𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒃
 

•  Shifts the graph of units to the left if c >

0.
• Shifts the graph of units to the right if c
< 0.
 Vertical Translation
𝒙
𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) = 𝒃 +𝒄
 

•  Shifts the graph of units upward if c > 0.

• Shifts the graph of units downward if c <
0.
 Vertical Stretching or Shrinking
𝒙
𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) = 𝒄𝒃
 

•  Multiplying y-coordinates of by c.
• Stretches the graph of vertically if
c>1
• Shrinks the graph of vertically if
0<c<1
 Reflection
𝒙
𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) =− 𝒃
 

•  Reflects the graph of about the x-axis.

• Reflects the graph of about the y-axis.