Algebra 1

Section 5.3

Graphing Exponential Functions

Graphing Exponential Growth Functions From an Equation

In this section we will study how to graph exponential functions of the familiar form:

f (x) = anx

First we will focus on when n > 1, or when the function describes exponential growth. The
parent exponential growth function is

f (x) = nx

where, again, n > 1. The value of n can vary, but the graph will look like the general curve
below.

f(x)=nx, n>1
y

(0,1)

It is important to realize that this graph never crosses the x-axis, but gets very close to it. This
means the x-axis is an asymptote of the graph.

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 Notice that the graph passes through the point (0, 1). More generally, if the function was

f (x) = anx

where a > 0, the graph will pass through the point (0, a) and have a similar shape. As n increases,
the graph grows more quickly and becomes more steep. Increasing |a| will also make the graph more
steep, but will not change the rate at which the graph grows.

If a < 0, then simply reflect the graph across the x axis. For example, the graph of the following
equation is given below.

f (x) = 2 3x

f(x)=nx, n>1
y

(0,-2)

Finally, notice that all of these graphs satisfy the vertical line test and so are functions.

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Graphing Exponential Decay Functions From an Equation

When a function describes exponential growth, 0 < n < 1 and the parent function of this group is

f (x) = nx

where, again, 0 < n < 1. n may vary by the graph will look like the general curve below.

f(x)=nx, 0<n<1
y

(0,1)

Notice that once again the x-axis is an asymptote of the graph and that once again the graph
goes through the point (0, 1).

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 Making n smaller will make that graph steeper and decrease at a faster rate. Increasing |a| will
also make the graph steeper but will not change the rate of decrease. Additionally, the graph will also
go through the point (0, a) even if a =6= 1.

Finally, if a < 1, then simply reflect the graph across the x-axis.

As an example, the graph of the following equation is given below.

1x
f (x) = 3 4

f(x)=-3()x
y

(0,-3)

Notice that again, the x-axis is an asymptote of the graph.

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Finding an Equation From the Graph of an Exponential Function

One can also work backwards to determine the values of a and n for an exponential function
given a graph. Note that two points on the graph must be specified. Then, it is simple to use the
method from 5.2 given two input-output pairs to construct a function.

However, some shortcuts can be made. If the y-intercept (the point that crosses the y-axis)
is given, it will be in the form (0, y0 ), and from what weve studied above, if the function is in the
form f (x) = anx , then one knows a = y0 . The method to determine the value of n is the same, however.

For example, consider the graph below.

(0,2)

(1,1)
x

We know that a = 2, because the graph goes qthrough the point (0, 2). Next, we simply need to
q
y2 1 1 1
use the formula n = x 2 x 1
y1 , which here is n = 2 = 2 . Thus, the equation for the function is

1x
f (x) = 2 2

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Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Graph the function f (x) = 5 1.2x and label two points on the graph.

3x
2. Graph the function f (x) = 4 4 and label two points on the graph.

3. Graph the function f (x) = 6 1.1x and label two points on the graph.

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4. The following graph is that of which function? (Assume the function has the form f (x) = anx ).

f(x)=anx
y

(2,4)

(0,2)

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5. The following graph is that of which function? (Assume the function has the form f (x) = anx ).

f(x)=anx
y

(0,-1) (2,-0.5625)

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Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. Notice that the coefficient of the term being raised to a power of x is 5, so the y-intercept of the
graph will be (0, 5). Also, since 5 > 0, the graph will be above the x-axis. Next, 1.2 > 1 so this
is exponential growth, but relatively slow exponential growth since 1.2 is close to 1. Refer to the
graph below. To find another point on the graph, pick any number (such as 1) and plug it into
f (x). f (1) = 5 1.21 = 6. So the point (1, 6) is on the graph.

f(x)=51.2x
y

(1,6)
(0,5)

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2. Notice that the coefficient of the term being raised to a power of x is 4, so the y-intercept of the
graph will be (0, 4). Also, since 4 > 0, the graph will be above the x-axis. Next, 34 < 1 so this is
exponential decay, and 43 is moderately far from 1 so the decay is at a moderate rate. Refer to
the graph below. To find another point on the graph, pick any number (such as 2) and plug it
2
into f (x). f (2) = 4 34 = 4 16
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= 49 = 2.25. So the point (2, 2.25) is on the graph.

f(x)=4 x
y

(0,4)

(2,2.25)

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3. Notice that the coefficient of the term being raised to a power of x is 6, so the y-intercept
of the graph will be (0, 6). Also, since 6 < 0, the graph will be below the x-axis. Next,
1.1 > 1, so this is a reflection of exponential growth, but 1.1 is very close to 1 so the rate of
change is very small and the exponential function appears almost linear. Refer to the graph
below. To find another point on the graph, pick any number (such as 1) and plug it into f (x).
f (1) = 6 1.11 = 6 1.1 = 6.6. So the point (1, 6.6) is on the graph.

f(x)=-61.1x
y

(0,-6) (1,-6.6)

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 q
4. The point (0, 2) is on the graph, so we know a = 2. Then, use the formula n = x2 x1 yy21 where
q
x1 = 0, x2 = 2, y1 = 2, and y2 = 4. Then, n = 42 = 2. This cannot be simplified anymore,
x
so the equation for the function is f (x) = 2 2 .

q
5. The point (0, 1) is on the graph, so we know a = 1. Then, use the formula n = x2 x1 yy21
q
0.5625

where x1 = 0, x2 = 2, y1 = 1, and y2 = 0.5625. Then, n = 1 = 0.5625 = 0.75.
Thus the equation of the function is f (x) = 1 0.75x = 0.75x .

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