Algebra 1

Section 5.2

Exponential Functions
Evaluating Exponential Functions

As described in the previous section, exponential functions describe situations with a non-
constant change in the dependent variable over a constant interval of the independent variable.

Frequently, the independent variable of an exponential function is time, so it may be common to

see an exponential function written in the form:

f (t) = ant

It is then important to know how to evaluate exponential functions at regular time intervals (or
intervals of whatever the independent variable represents). The most important part of evaluating
these functions is to remember the order of operations. That is, always evaluate the component with
the exponent first.

For example, consider a radioactive substance of which there is initially 100 moles. The function
below describes the number of moles of the substance left after t half-lives (the time taken for the
substance to decay so that half of it remains).

1t
f (t) = 100 2

Now, how would one determine the amount of substance that remained after 1 half-life? After 2
half-lives? First, let t = 1 and plug it into the function.

11 1
f (1) = 100 2 = 100 2 = 50

So 50 moles remain after 1 half-life. Next, plug in t = 2 into the equation.

12 1
f (2) = 100 2 = 100 4 = 25

So 25 moles remain after 2 half-lives.

This process can of course be used if the independent variable represents something other than
time or if the exponential function is a growth rather than a decay function.

1
Writing an Exponential Function to Model a System

We know how to interpret the values in an exponential function, so we can write an exponential
function to describe a system given information about that system. Most practical exponential func-
tions have the form

f (x) = anx

And we know n represents the common ratio of f (x) over an interval of 1 for x. Determining
what n is given context can be difficult, but it can be learned.

If f (x) is being cut in half after every iteration of x, such as with a half-life problem, then n = 12 .
This is simple. But what if f (x) is decreasing by 27 or increasing by 31%?

The rule is to start with 1, and if f (x) is increasing, add the amount it is increasing by. If f (x)
is decreasing, subtract the amount it is decreasing by. 31% means 31 parts in a hundred, so a function
that increases by 31% every iteration of x would have n = 1 + 0.31 = 1.31.

For example, if a bank pays 5% interest every month, then n = 1 + 0.05 = 1.05, not .05. If a
puddle looses 13 of its water every week, then n = 1 13 = 32 , not 13 .

Determining a is very straightforward. The initial quantity of whatever is being represented by

f (x) is the value of a. This is because when x = 0 (initially), f (0) = an0 = a 1 = a.

So for example, if an account initially has $500 in it, a = 500. If a puddle initially has 3 L of
water, a = 3 (or 3000 if one measures in mL; it is important to remember the units being used in each
measurement.

Putting it together, consider a population that starts with 300 members and increases by 15%
every year. A function that models this population with x representing the number of years after the
population began with 300 members would be of the familiar form

f (x) = anx

Notice the initial population is 300 members, so a = 300. The population increases by 20% every
year so n = 1 + .2 = 1.2. Thus, the final function is

f (x) = 300 1.2x

2
Writing an Exponential Function Given Points of Data

Given a two pairs of inputs and outputs that belong to an exponential function, much the same
way as can be done for a linear function, an equation for that function can be determined. Just as
with a system, the value for n and the value for a must be determined.

For Algebra 1, we will assume exponential functions have the form

f (x) = anx

Recall that n is the common ratio of the exponential function, so for some value x1 , it is true
that f (x1 + 1) = nf (x1 ), and f (x1 + 2) = n2 f (x1 ). Thus, for some other value x2 , it holds that
f (x2 ) = nx2 x1 f (x1 ). This means that if the for two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) such that f (x1 ) = y1
and f (x2 ) = y2 where f (x) is an exponential function, the value n for f (x) can be determined by the
formula:

q
y2
n= x2 x1
y1

This formula comes directly from the expression f (x2 ) = nx2 x1 f (x1 ).

To find the value for a, simply pick either of the points and realize that f (x) = anx , so y1 = anx1
and thus a = nyx11 (the same process can be done with x2 and y2 ).

For example, consider the points (1, 6) and (4, 48). If we assume that these points belong to some
exponential function f (x), we can write the equation for f (x).
y2 48
We have x1 = 1, x2 = 4, y1 = 6, and y2 = 48. Thus, x2 x1 = 4 1 = 3 and y1 = 6 = 8, and

so n = 3 8 = 2.

6
Next, we have f (1) = 6 so 6 = a 21 = a 2, and thus a = 2 = 3.

Thus, we may finally write the equation for f (x):

f (x) = 3 2x

3
Examples

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

1. Fill in the table below for the function f (x) = 10 1.3x .

x f (x)
2
1
0
1
2

2. What function is represented by the values in the table? Assume the function has the form
f (x) = anx . Complete the rest of the table and give a point not listed in the table.

x f (x)
2
1
0 6
1
2 15.36

3. Sort the following equations and tables into one of the following categories: Exponential growth,
exponential decay, or neither. Give a brief explanation as to why each equation/table fits into
that category.
a. f (x) = 7 1.5x
b. f (x) = 23 0.9x
x
c. f (x) = 14 12
x
d. f (x) = 2
e. f (x) = 2
f. f (x) = 5x
x f (x)
1
1 3
g. 0 1
1 3
2 9
x f (x)
1 5
0 7
h.
0 1
1 9
2 11

4
Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. Simply plug the values of x into f (x) and evaluate. Remember to keep order of operations in
mind.

x f (x)
2 5.92
1 7.69
0 10
1 13
2 16.9

2. Let x1 = 0, x2 = 2, y1 = 6, and y2 = 15.36. Then, x2 x1 = 2 and yy12 = 15.36

6 = 2.56. Thus,

n = 2.56 = 1.6, and so f (x) = a 1.6n . Pick x = 0, and f (0) = 6, so 6 = a 1.60 = a 1, so
a = 6. Thus, the equation is f (x) = 6 1.6x . Now plug x = 2, x = 1, and x = 1 into f (x) to
complete the table, which is given below.

x f (x)
2 2.34
1 3.75
0 6
1 9.6
2 15.36

3. Refer to the classifications and explanations given below for each equation/table.
a. This is exponential growth, because a number greater than 1 (1.5 > 1) is being raised to a
power of x.
b. This is exponential decay because a number less than 1 (0.9 < 1) is being raised to a power
of x.
c. This is exponential decay because a number less than 1 ( 21 < 1) is being raised to a power of
x.
d. This is exponential growth, because a number greater than 1 (2 > 1) is being raised to a
power of x.
e. This is neither exponential growth nor exponential decay because it is a constant function
without an exponent of x.
f. This is neither exponential growth nor exponential decay because it is a linear function without
an exponent of x.
g. This is exponential growth because for every increase by 1 in x, f (x) becomes 3 times larger,
indicating this is exponential growth with a common ratio of 3.
h. This is neither exponential growth nor exponential decay. Although f (x) increases with x,
the growth is constant (an increase of 2 in f (x) for every increase of 1 in x). Thus, this is linear
growth, and is not exponential.