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44 1 Exponential Function

The document defines and describes properties of the exponential function f(x) = ax, where a is any value greater than 0. It explains that the graph depends on the value of a, with a between 0 and 1 resulting in a decreasing function to 0 as x increases and infinity as x decreases, and a above 1 resulting in an increasing function to infinity as x increases and 0 as x decreases. Both cases produce a strictly increasing or decreasing, injective function with a horizontal asymptote at y=0. The exponential function is always greater than 0, intersects the y-axis at (0,1) and (1,a), and can be reversed using the logarithmic function.

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19 views

44 1 Exponential Function

The document defines and describes properties of the exponential function f(x) = ax, where a is any value greater than 0. It explains that the graph depends on the value of a, with a between 0 and 1 resulting in a decreasing function to 0 as x increases and infinity as x decreases, and a above 1 resulting in an increasing function to infinity as x increases and 0 as x decreases. Both cases produce a strictly increasing or decreasing, injective function with a horizontal asymptote at y=0. The exponential function is always greater than 0, intersects the y-axis at (0,1) and (1,a), and can be reversed using the logarithmic function.

Uploaded by

api-299265916
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exponential Function

This is the Exponential Function:

f(x) = ax
a is any value greater than 0

Properties depend on value of "a"

When a=1, the graph is a horizontal line at y=1

Apart from that there are two cases to look at:

a between 0 and 1

Example: f(x) = (0.5)x


For a between 0 and 1

As x increases, f(x) heads to 0

As x decreases, f(x) heads to infinity

It is a Strictly Decreasing function (and so is "Injective")

It has a Horizontal Asymptotealong the x-axis (y=0).

a above 1

Example: f(x) = (2)x


For a above 1:

As x increases, f(x) heads to infinity

As x decreases, f(x) heads to 0

it is a Strictly Increasing function (and so is "Injective")

It has a Horizontal Asymptotealong the x-axis (y=0).


Plot the graph here (use the "a" slider)

In General:

It is always greater than 0, and never crosses the x-axis

It always intersects the y-axis at y=1 ... in other words it passes through(0,1)

At x=1, f(x)=a ... in other words it passes through (1,a)

It is an Injective (one-to-one) function

Its Domain is the Real Numbers:


Its Range is the Positive Real Numbers: (0,

+)

Inverse
ax

is the inverse function of

loga(x) (the Logarithmic Function)

So the Exponential Function can be "reversed" by the Logarithmic Function.

The Natural Exponential Function


This is the "Natural" Exponential Function:

f(x) = ex
Where e is "Eulers Number" = 2.718281828459 (and more ...)

Graph of f(x) = ex
At the point (1,e) the slope of the line is e and the line is tangent to the curve.

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