2.

Exponential
functions
• Exponential relationships
• Growth and decay
• Miscellaneous exercise two
Situation One
The number of cells in a particular organism increases by cell division. In this process one cell splits
into two cells which in turn each split into two cells and so on.
Let us suppose that there is initially 1 cell and that this cell division occurs approximately every week,
i.e. the number of cells present doubles every week.

1 cell with Reproduce Reproduce

genetic genetic Regroup Split genetic Regroup Split
makeup makeup makeup

1 cell

2 cells

4 cells
1 week 1 week

Copy and complete the following table.

Number of weeks, t 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of cells, C 1 2 4

a How long does it take for there to be 100 cells present?

b How long does it take for there to be 400 cells present?
c Determine the rule for C in terms of t.
d Let us suppose that in a very simplified model of the growth of a human baby, we assume that
the initial single cell divides into two cells after one week. After another week, these two each
divide into two to give four cells altogether. If this cell division continues each week, how many
cells are there after 40 weeks?

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 21

 Now read Situations two to five that follow. They do not ask you to do any calculations. Simply read
them and make sure that you agree with, and understand, what is said.

Situation Two
Consider an investment of $500 earning interest of 10% compounded annually.
The value of this investment for the first eight years is shown tabulated and graphed below

V ($)
Time Value
(t yrs) ($V ) 1 100
1 000
0  $500
900
1  $550 800
2  $605 700
3  $665.50 600
500
4  $732.05
400
5  $805.26 300
6  $885.78 200
100
7  $974.36
8 $1071.79 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
t (years)

The figures in the V column commence with 500 and then each one thereafter is the previous one
multiplied by 1.1.

Situation Three
Consider a culture of bacteria with an initial population of 100 cells with the number doubling
every hour.
This population for the first seven hours is shown tabulated and graphed below.

P
Time Population 13 000
(t hrs) (P ) 12 000
0 100 11 000
1 200 10 000
9 000

Shutterstock.com/Apples Eyes Studio

2 400 8 000
3 800 7 000
4 1 600 6 000
5 000
5 3 200 4 000
6 6 400 3 000
7 12 800 2 000
1 000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
t (hrs)

The figures in the P column commence with 100 and then each one thereafter is the previous one
multiplied by 2.

22 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

Situation Four
Consider a car that has an initial value

Shutterstock.com/Andrey Lobachev
of $40 000 and by the end of each year it
has lost 12% of what its value was at the
beginning of that year. The table of values for
the first seven years, the rule for the situation,
and the graph, are shown below.

Time Value
Rule V ($)

(t yrs) ($V ) 40 000

Value after t years is given by:
0 $40 000
30 000
1 $35 200 V = 40 000 × 0.88t
2 $30 976 20 000
3 $27 259
10 000
4 $23 988
5 $21 109
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6 $18 576
t (yrs)
7 $16 347

Situation Five
Consider a radioactive element decaying at a rate that sees 40% of
the element decay to a more stable form each hour. Thus 500 g of

Shutterstock.com/Pi-Lens
the element becomes 300 g (= 60% of 500 g) one hour later, 180 g
(= 60% of 300 g) one hour after that, and so on. The table of values
for the first seven hours, the rule for the situation, and the graph,
are shown below.

Time Amount
Rule A (g)

(t yrs) (A g) 500
Amount present after
0 500 t hours is given by:
400
1 300 t
A = 500 × 0.6
2 180 300
3 108
200
4  65
5  39 100
6  23
7  14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
t (hrs)

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 23

 WS
Exponential relationships
The situations on the previous pages involved a quantity being repeatedly multiplied by a number.
Exponential functions
The situations were all examples of exponential relationships.
In such relationships, because we repeatedly multiply by a number, the ratio of successive entries will
WS
be constant (rather than the first difference pattern being constant, as in linear, or the second difference
Translating exponential pattern being constant, as in quadratic).
graphs

For example, suppose we make a sequence of numbers for which the first is 3 and we repeatedly
multiply by 2:
WS

3 6 12 24 48 96 192
Graphing exponentials

1st difference 3 6 12 24 48 96 ← Not const. Hence not linear.

6 12 24 48 96 192
Ratio  = 2  = 2  = 2  = 2  = 2  = 2 ← Constant ratio. Exponential.
3 6 12 24 48 96

Each input value gives one, and only one, output value. The relationship is therefore a function.
(Notice that the graphs on the previous pages pass the vertical line test.)
Exponential functions are characterised by rules of the form y = y0 ax, a > 0.
• y0 is the value of y when x = 0,
• a is the constant multiplying factor.
For example, the rule y = 3.5 × 4x generates the following table of values.

x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
y 3.5 14 56 224 896 3584 14 336

14 56 224 896 3584 14 336

1st ratio  = 4  = 4  = 4  = 4  = 4  = 4
3.5 14 56 224 896 3584

The graphs of exponential functions have the characteristic shape shown y

on the right by the graph of y = 2x
30
y = 2x
20
This characteristic shape will be reflected in the y-axis if the a in y = ax
10
is such that 0 < a < 1.
For example: x
1 2 3 4 5
y y
y = 0.5x
100 10 y
y = 0.25x
x 70
y=3
60
50
50 5 40
30
20
10

x x x
–2 –1 1 2 3 4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3

24 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

Exercise 2A
For questions 1 to 6, copy and complete the following tables for the exponential rule stated.

1 Rule: y = 3x x 0 1 2 3 4 5
y

2 Rule: y = 7x x 0 1 2 3 4 5
y

3 Rule: y = 1.5 × 2x x 0 1 2 3 4 5
y

4 Rule: y = 1.75 × 8x x 0 1 2 3 4 5
y

5 Rule: y = 2x + 1 x 0 1 2 3 4 5
y

6 Rule: y = 2.5 × 4x + 1 x 1 2 3 4 5 6
y

For each of the tables shown in questions 7 to 18 below

a determine whether the function involved is linear, quadratic, cubic, exponential, reciprocal,
or none of these.
b For those that are one of the five types mentioned, determine the equation of the function.

7 x 0 1 2 3 4 8 x 0 1 2 3 4
y 1 2 5 10 17 y 1 4 16 64 256

9 x 0 1 2 3 4 10 x 0 1 2 3 4
y 3 5 7 9 11 y 0 2 8 18 32

11 x 0 1 2 3 4 12 x 0 1 2 3 4
y 1.5 12 96 768 6144 y 1 5 25 125 625

13 x 0 1 2 3 4 14 x 0 1 2 3 4
y 0 2 6 12 20 y 1 6 36 216 1296

15 x 0 1 2 3 4 16 x 1 2 3 4 5
y 3 6 12 24 48 y 60 30 20 15 12

17 x 0 1 2 3 4 18 x 0 1 2 3 4
y 1 2 9 28 65 y 20 17 14 11 8

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 25

 19 a Display the graphs of the following exponential functions on a graphic calculator using
an x-axis from 0 to 5 and a y-axis from 0 to 40.
y = 1.25x
y = 1.5x
y = 1.75x
y = 2x
y = 3x
State the coordinates of the point that all of these functions pass through.
b Write a few sentences, including sketches if you wish, to describe the characteristic shape
of the graphs of functions of the form y = ax (a > 1) and describe the effect that changing
the value of a has on the graph.

20 a Display the graphs of the following exponential functions on a graphic calculator using
an x-axis from –3 to 4 and a y-axis from –1 to 10.
y = 2x
y = 2(2)x
y = 3(2)x
y = 4(2)x
b Write a few sentences, including sketches if you wish, to describe the effect that increasing
the value of a has on the graph of y = a(2)x for a ≥ 1.

21 Investigate the effect that changing the value of k has on the graph of
y = ax – k.

22 Investigate the effect that changing the value of k has on the graph of
y = ax − k.

23 Each graph shown below is of the form y = ax, for integer a.

Find the equation of each.
a y b y
10 10

5 5

x x
−3 −2 −1 1 2 3 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3

26 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

 24 The population of a country is growing such that in t years’ time, the population will be P million,
where P ≈ 25(1.04)t. Display the graph of P = 25(1.04)t, for 0 ≤ t ≤ 50, on a graphic calculator.
Using your graph, or by other methods, predict in how many years the population will be
a 40 000 000 b 75 000 000 c 120 000 000.

25 Determine the equations of each of the exponential functions shown graphed below given that
each is a translation of either y = 2x or y = 3x.
a y b y
10 10

5 5

x x
−2 −1 1 2 3 4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4

c y d y
10 10

5 5

x x
−1 1 2 3 4 5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3

y y
e f
10
10

5
5

x
–2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
x
−4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 27

 WS
Growth and decay
Thinking again about Situations one to five at the beginning of this chapter:
Using exponential

C = 2t
models
Situation one, the cell splitting, involved a growth situation.
Situation two, the investment, was a growth situation. V = 500 × 1.1t
Situation three, the culture of bacteria, was a growth situation. P = 100 × 2t
Situation four, the value of a car, was a decay situation. V = 40 000 × 0.88t
Situation five, the radioactive element, was a decay situation. A = 500 × 0.6t

Exponential growth is characterised by an equation of the form y = y0 ax,  a > 1.

Exponential decay is characterised by an equation of the form y = y0 ax, 0 < a < 1.

EXAMPLE 1

The population of a country is growing exponentially. The populations in 2010, 2011, 2012 and
2013 were as follows.

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013

Population 20 million 20.4 million 20.81 million 21.22 million

Predict the population for this country in the year 2030.

Solution
20.4
First find the annual growth rate: = 1.02
20
20.81
≈ 1.0201
20.4
21.22
≈ 1.0197
20.81
Each year the population is multiplied by roughly 1.02 (i.e., a 2% increase per year).
Thus, by the year 2030 the population will be roughly
20 million × 1.02(2030 − 2010) = 20 million × 1.0220
≈ 29.7 million
The population for this country will be approximately 29.7 million by the year 2030
(assuming the growth rate shown in the given years continues).

28 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

 EXAMPLE 2

The population of a particular endangered species of animal is declining exponentially.

The populations in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2013 were thought to be as follows.

Year 2000 2005 2010 2013

Population 5760 4460 3450 2960

a By what percentage is the population declining each year?

b Predict the population for this animal in the year 2025.

Solution
a Consider the period 2000 to 2005.
If each year the population is multiplied by r, then 5760r 5 = 4460
4460
\ r5 =
5760
4460
Thus r=5
5760
≈ 0.95
Consider the period 2005 to 2010.
If each year the population is multiplied by r, then 4460r 5 = 3450
3450
\ r5 =
4460
3450
Thus r=5
4460
≈ 0.95
Thus, each year the population is multiplied by 0.95 (i.e. a 5% decrease per year).
Check: For 2010 to 2013, 3450 × 0.953 ≈ 2960, as required.
The population is falling by 5% each year.
b By the year 2025, the population will be roughly 5760 × 0.95(2025 − 2000)
= 5760 × 0.9525
≈ 1600
By the year 2025, the population will be roughly 1600 (assuming the rate of decline for the
given years continues).

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 29

 EXAMPLE 3
A
The graph on the right shows an exponential growth situation 1000
with the variables A and t related according to a rule of the form 900
t 800
A = ka for a > 1.
700
Determine 600
500
a the value of A when t = 5, 400
b the value of A when t = 8, 300
200
c the constants a and k, 100
d the value of A when t = 0,
5 10 t
e the value of t (correct to one decimal place) for which A = 4000,
assuming that the growth rate suggested by the graph continues.

Solution
a From the graph, when t = 5, A ≈ 400.
b From the graph, when t = 8, A ≈ 875.
c Exponential growth is involved. Thus, from t = 5 to t = 8 we have multiplied by a three times.
Thus 400a3 = 875
a = 3 2.1875
≈ 1.298
The relationship is of the form A = k(1.298)t
But when t = 5, A ≈ 400. ∴ 400 = k(1.298)5
k ≈ 109
Thus a ≈ 1.298 and k ≈ 109.
d The relationship is of the form A ≈ 109(1.298)t
Thus when t = 0 A ≈ 109(1.298)0
= 109
When t = 0, A ≈ 109.
e The relationship is of the form A ≈ 109(1.298)t
Thus, when A = 4000 4000 ≈ 109(1.298)t
(1.298)t ≈ 36.70
Solving by calculator or by trial and adjustment t = 13.8, correct to one decimal place.
Thus A ≈ 4000 when t = 13.8.
Note: With A = kat then when t = 0, A = k. Thus had the graph in the above example shown
where the curve cut the vertical axis, this point would have given us the value of k directly.

30 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

Exercise 2B
1 Show that the following figures support the claim that the annual percentage growth rate
is approximately 8%.

Year 1995 2000 2010

Population 18 000 000 26 000 000 56 000 000

2 Show that the following figures support the claim that the annual percentage decay rate
is approximately 4.5%.

Year 2000 2007 2011

Population 12 400 9000 7500

3 The population of a country is growing exponentially. The populations in 2010, 2011, 2012
and 2013 were as follows.

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013

Population 45 million 45.8 million 46.6 million 47.5 million

Predict the population for this country in the year 2027.

4 The population of a particular species of animal is declining exponentially. The numbers of these
animals thought to be in existence in the wild in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 were as follows.

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013

Number 18 000 16 500 15 200 14 000

If the above figures are correct, and nothing is done to alter the rate of decline, how many of
these animals will exist in the wild in the year 2023?

5 An analysis of the membership of a particular sports club since it was first formed in 1989
indicated that the membership each year could have been quite accurately predicted using
the exponential model:
Membership in the year N ≈ Ak(N − 1989).
The number of members initially and on the tenth, the twentieth and the twenty fifth
anniversaries of the founding of the club were as follows.

Year 1989 1999 2009 2014

Members 80 170 375 550

a Find the values of A and of k (state k to 2 decimal places).

b By what percentage is the membership growing each year?
c Predict the number of members for the year 2024 (nearest hundred).

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 31

 6 During a drought a particular river bed dries up and the colony of frogs living in the vicinity
experiences an exponential population decline.
The estimated number of frogs in the colony, t days after drought conditions were officially
declared, was as follows.

t 5 6 7 8
Population 530 450 385 325

According to these estimated figures what was the population of the frog colony initially
(i.e., at t = 0)?

Shutterstock.com/clearviewstock
7 The graph shows an exponential decay situation with the P
80
variables P and t related according to a rule of the form:
70
P = kat for 0 < a < 1. 60
Determine 50
a the value of P when t = 3, 40
30
b the value of P when t = 8, 20
c the constants a (2 decimal places) and k (nearest 5), 10
d the value of P when t = 0 (nearest 5),
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 t
e the value of t (nearest integer) for which P = 10.

32 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

 8 An environmental group commence a long-term project to reduce the level of pollution in
a particular stretch of river.
Starting the campaign in 2004 (when t = 0), the pollution level P, in parts per million, is monitored
each year and the results are graphed as shown.

P (parts per million)

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t years (= 0 in 2004)

The fall in P is thought to follow an exponential decline according to the rule

P = kat.
a Determine the value of k and of a.
b Use your formula to predict the value of P for 2017.
c The environmental group plan to release a number of fish into the river when they first
record a value of P that is less than 20. When is this likely to be?

9 In a particular test area scientists note that when measures are introduced to reduce the population
of a particular animal, animal A, classified as a pest, there is a rise in the population of another
animal, animal B.
The scientists find that the decrease in the population of animal A and the increase in the
population of animal B can both be modelled as exponential growth.
If PA and PB are the assessed populations of A and B respectively, then t months after the
introduction of control measures the populations are approximately given by:
PA = 10 000(0.75)t   and   PB = 1000(1.09)t.
Find
a the initial (i.e. t = 0) population of A and B in this test area,
b the population of A and B after 3 months of the control program (give answers correct
to nearest 50),
c the value of t, correct to one decimal place, when the populations are equal.

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 33

 10 To control an infestation of a certain flying insect in an area, a number of sterile male insects
are released into the area each week.
To monitor the effectiveness of the program, traps are erected at the start of the program and
again after 3, 6 and 10 weeks. Each time, the traps are erected at the same time of the day, at the
same place and for the same amount of time; the number of these insects caught is then noted.
The results are shown in the graph below.

N (Numbers caught in trap)

1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t weeks

a If the decline in the numbers caught is modelled by an exponential rule of the form N = kat,
determine estimates for the constants k and a.
b The release of the sterile males will cease when the numbers caught in the traps is one quarter
of the numbers caught initially (i.e. when t = 0).
After how many weeks is this likely to be?

Shutterstock.com/littlekop

34 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408

Miscellaneous exercise two
This miscellaneous exercise may include questions involving the work of this chapter,
the work of any previous chapters, and the ideas mentioned in the Preliminary work section
at the beginning of the book.

1 For each of the following, state which answer, I, II, III or IV shows the given number written in
standard form, or scientific notation, i.e. in the form A × 10n, where A is a number between 1 and
10 and n is an integer.

I II III IV
0 1 2
a 36 3.6 × 10 3.6 × 10 3.6 × 10 3.6 × 103
b 0.000 023 3.2 × 10−5 2.3 × 105 2.3 × 10−4 2.3 × 10−5
c 41 000 41 × 103 410 × 102 4.1 × 104 4.1 × 10−4
d 0.245 2.45 × 10−1 0.245 × 100 2.45 × 10−2 2.45 × 102
e 0.003 3 × 10−2 30 × 10−2 3 × 10−3 300
4 7 6
f 912 000 9.12 × 10 9.12 × 10 9.12 × 10 9.12 × 105
g 0.000 002 81 2.81 × 105 2.81 × 10−5 2.81 × 10−6 281 × 10−8
h 14 200 000 1.42 × 107 1.42 × 104 1.42 × 105 1.42 × 106

2 Solve each of the following equations (without the assistance of a calculator).

a x2 = 49 b x2 = 100 c x3 = 1000
d 2x = 4 e 3x = 81 f 5x + 11 = 12
1 1
g 6x + 9 = 225 h 4x = i 4x =
4 16
1
j 4x = k 2x = 0.5 l 2x = 0.25
64
m 2x = 0.125 n 16x4 = 400x2 o 82x + 1 = 41 − x
p 50x –  18 x  = 2 q 50 x – 18 x   =   2 r (x3 + 5)(x3 – 5) = 704

3 Round each of the following to the number of significant figures stated.

a 12 405 correct to two significant figures.
b
12 607 405 correct to four significant figures.
c 0.000 256 correct to two significant figures.
d 5.63 correct to one significant figure.
e 12 626.8 correct to four significant figures.

4 a What will be the equation of the graph obtained by translating the graph of the function
y = 2x three units to the left? Write your answer both as y = 2 f (x) and as y = k × 2x.

b What will be the equation of the graph obtained by translating the graph of the function
y = 3x two units down?

ISBN 9780170390408 2. Exponential functions 35

 5 The graph below left shows four points which obey the rule y = 5x.
Joining these points with a smooth curve, as shown below right, allows values for other powers
of x to be suggested, e.g. 52.8 ≈ 91.
Use the graph to suggest a value for 51.6, 52.4 and 52.5 and then check your answers using
a calculator.
y y
130 (3, 125) 130 (3, 125)
120 120
110 110
100 100
90 90
80 80
70 70
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 (2, 25) 30 (2, 25)
20 20
10 (1, 5) 10 (1, 5)

(0, 1) x (0, 1) x
1 2 3 1 2 3

6 Without the assistance of a calculator, solve (25 × 5x – 1)(5x – 1) = 0.

7 Without the assistance of a calculator, solve (2x )2 – 5(2x ) + 4 = 0.

8 A forensic scientist is called to the scene of a murder.

T: (Number of °C that temp. of body exceeds

19
Upon arrival at 10 a.m., the scientist notes the
that of surroundings (taken as 5°C).

temperature of the body as being 23.9°C. This is

18
18.9°C above the temperature of the surrounding
air (which is 5°C). The scientist monitors this ‘body 17
temperature above surrounding temperature of 5°C’
at half hour intervals. The data collected is shown in 16
the graph shown.
a With T and t as defined in the graph and assuming 15
the relationship between T and t is of the form
14
T = kat, find the values of the constants k and a.
b If normal body temperature is 37°C, i.e. 32°C
above the 5°C temperature of the surroundings, 1 2 3 4 5
t : Number of half hours after
estimate the time of death. scientist arrives at the scene.

36 MATHEMATICS METHODS  Unit 2 ISBN 9780170390408