6-1

Activity Assess

EXPLORE & REASON

Margaret investigates
Key Features
three functions:
of Exponential ​y = 3x, y = ​x​​  3​​, and
Investigating y = 3x
Functions ​y = ​3​​ x​. She is x y Difference between Ratio between
interested in the 1 3 y-values y-values
differences and ratios 2 6 6−3=3 6=2
3
[Link] between consecutive
3 9 9−6=3 9 = 1.5
y-values. Here is the 6
table she started for 12 ≈ 1.33
I CAN… recognize the 4 12 12 − 9 = 3
​y = 3x​. 9
key features of exponential
functions.

VOCABULARY
• decay factor A. Create tables like Margaret’s for all three functions and fill in more rows.
• exponential decay function
• exponential function
B. Which functions have a constant difference between consecutive
• exponential growth
y-values? Constant ratio?
function C. Use Structure Which of these three functions will have y-values that
• growth factor increase the fastest as x increases? Why?

How do graphs and equations reveal key features of exponential growth

ESSENTIAL QUESTION
and decay functions?

EXAMPLE 1 Identify Key Features of Exponential Functions

What are the key features of each function? Include domain, range,
intercepts, asymptotes, and end behavior.
An exponential function is any function of the form ​y = a ∙ ​b​​  x​ where a and b
are constants with ​a​​≠​​0​, and ​b > 0​, ​b ≠ 1​.
A. ​f(x) = ​2​​  x​

y
Graphing y = a∙b x 8
For f, b = 2. Since b > 1,
STUDY TIP x f(x) = 2x 6 the y-values of the
Recall your investigation of the function increase.
−2 0.25 4
ratios of consecutive y-values in
the Explore & Reason activity. That −1 0.5
2 For y = a ∙ bx, the value
ratio, which was 3 for the function 0 1 of a is the y-intercept.
y = ​​3​​  x​​, is equal to the value of b x
1 2 O
in the equation ​y = a ∙ ​b​​  x​. −4 −2 2 4
2 4

Domain: all real numbers Asymptote: x-axis

Range: ​{y | y > 0}​ End Behavior:
y-intercept: 1; As ​x → −∞, y → 0. As x → ∞, y → ∞​.

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

LESSON 6-1 Key Features of Exponential Functions 297

 Activity Assess

EXAMPLE 1 CONTINUED
x
B. g(x) = 5​​​(__
​  1 ​)​​​  ​
2
y
Graphing y = a∙b x 8
x
x g(x) = 5 1 (2) 6
−2 20 4
1
−1 10 For g, b = 2 . Since b < 1,
2 the y-values of the function
0 5
x decrease.
1 2.5 −4 −2 O 2 4
2 1.25

Domain: all real numbers Asymptote: x-axis

Range: ​{y ǀ y > 0}​ End Behavior: As ​x → −∞, y → ∞.
y-intercept: 5; As x → ∞, y → 0​.

Try It! 1. Graph ​f(x) = 4(0.5)x​. What are the domain, range, intercepts,
asymptote, and the end behavior for this function?

w
EXAMPLE 2 Graph Transformations of Exponential Functions

Graph each function. Describe the graph in terms of transformations of the

parent function f​(x) = ​3​​  x​. How do the asymptote and intercept of the given
function compare to the asymptote and intercept of the parent function?
A. ​g(x) = –​3​​  x​​ B. ​h(x) = ​3​​  x​– 4​
When the sign of a changes, the When adding a constant k,
function is reflected across the the function shifts vertically by
COMMON ERROR
x-axis. k units.
You may confuse reflection
across the axes. Recall that if the y y
y-value is multiplied by ​−1​(as in 4 4 f
f
this case, with ​g(x) = −​3​​  x​)​, the
reflection is across the x-axis. 2 2 h
(0, 1) (0, 1)
Each y-value is replaced by x x
its opposite. −4 −2 O 2 4 −4 −2 O 2 4
(0, −1)
−2 −2
g (0, −3)
−4 −4

​g(x) = −​3​​  x​= −f(x)​ ​h(x) = ​3​​  x​− 4 = f(x) − 4​

The intercept changes from a to ​−​a. The intercept changes from 1 to ​1 + K​.
The asymptote of the function does The asymptote of the function also
not change. It is still the x-axis. changes. It is ​y = k​or ​y = −4​.

Try It! 2. How do the asymptote and intercept of the given function
compare to the asymptote and intercept of the function ​f (x) = 5x​?
a. ​g(x) = ​5​​  x+3​​ b. ​h(x)​​=​​​5​​  –x​​

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 Activity Assess

CONCEPTUAL
UNDERSTANDING EXAMPLE 3 Model with Exponential Functions

The population of a large city was about 4.6 million in the year 2010 and
grew at a rate of 1.3% for the next four years.
A. What exponential function models the population of the city over that
4-year period?
Compute the population for the first few years to look for a pattern.
USE STRUCTURE
Exponential functions of t (years since 2010) p (population in millions)
the form ​y = a ∙ ​b​​  x​involve
repeated multiplication by the In 2011, there are 4.6 million 0 4.6
factor b. To understand how people, and another 1.3% of
to model population with an 4.6 million are added. 4.6 + 4.6(0.013) = 4.6(1.013)
1
exponential function, look for
repeated multiplication in your
The process repeats 2 4.6(1.013)(1.013) = 4.6(1.013)2
computations.
each year. The 1 in
1.013 represents the 3 4.6(1.013)3
current population
and the 0.013 4 4.6(1.013) 4
represents the The exponent
yearly increase. is the number
of years since
2010.

The population can be modeled by the exponential function:

population after t years population in 2010 growth factor years since 2010

P = 4.6​(1.013)​​  t​​

B. If the population continues to grow at the same rate, what will the
population be in 2040?
To find the population in 2040, solve the equation for ​t = 30:
​
P = 4.6(1.013​)​​  30​≈ 6.78.
​In 2040, the population will be about 6.78 million.

Try It! 3. A factory purchased a 3D printer in 2010. The value of the

printer is modeled by the function ​f (x) = 30​(0.93)​​  x​, where x is
the number of years since 2010.
a. What is the value of the printer after 10 years?
b. Does the printer lose more of its value in the first 10 years or
in the second 10 years after it was purchased?

LESSON 6-1 Key Features of Exponential Functions 299

 Activity Assess

CONCEPT Exponential Growth and Decay Models

Exponential growth and exponential decay functions model quantities that

increase or decrease by a fixed percent during each time period. Given an
initial amount a and the rate of increase or decrease r, the amount A(t) after
t time periods is given by:
Exponential Growth Model Exponential Decay Model
    ​A(t) = a(1 + r​)​​  t​​     ​A(t) = a(1 − r​)​​  t
  
​ ​a > 0, b > 1, b = 1 + r ​    ​a > 0, 0 < b < 1, b = 1 − r
​ he growth or decay factor is equal to b, and is the ratio between two
T
consecutive y-values.

EXAMPLE 4 Interpret an Exponential Function

A car was purchased for $24,000. The function ​y = 24​∙ ​​0.8​​  x​​ can be used
to model the value of the car (in thousands of dollars) x years after it was
purchased.
A. Does the function represent exponential growth or decay?
​ y = 24 ∙ ​0.8​​  x​
​b = 0.8, so b < 1​and the function represents exponential decay.
B. What is the rate of decay for this function? What does it mean?
STUDY TIP
​b = 1 − r​
For a function of the form
​y = a ∙ ​b​​  x​, if b > 1, the function 0.8 = 1 − r​
​
is increasing. If ​0 < b < 1​, the ​r = 0.2​
function is decreasing. The rate of decay is 0.2, or 20%. This means that the value of the car
decreases by 20% each year.
C. Graph the function on a reasonable domain. What do the y-intercept and
asymptote represent? When will the value of the car be about $5,000?

The intercept of
Y1=24*.8^(x)
24 shows the car
was bought for The asymptote of
$24,000. y = 0 means the
value will approach
X=7.0212766 Y=5.0093253 0 after many years.

Find the value of ​x​when ​y = 5​.

The graph (approximately) passes through the point (7, 5). This means that
the value of the car will be about $5,000 after 7 years.

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

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 Activity Assess

EXAMPLE 4 CONTINUED

Try It! 4. Two-hundred twenty hawks were released into a region on

January 2, 2016. The function ​f (x) = 220(1.05​)​​  x​can be used to
model the number of hawks in the region x years after 2016.
a. Is the population increasing or decreasing? Explain.
b. In what year will the number of hawks reach 280?

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 5 Compare Two Exponential Functions

A museum purchased a painting and a sculpture in the same year. Their

changing values are modeled as shown. Find the average rate of change of
the value of each art work over the 5-year period. Which art work’s value is
increasing more quickly?

Painting Value
80 (5, 64.4)

Value (thousands of dollars)

60 (0, 40)

40

20
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Years

Sculpture Value

f(x) = 50(1.075)x
(thousands of dollars in x years)

Sculpture Painting
​​ _______ _________
64.4 − 40 ​​ = ____
y −y
​f(0) = 50(1.075)0 = 50​ 2 1
x − x ​=​ ​​  ​​  24.4 ​​ = 4.88
2 1 5−0 5
MODEL WITH MATHEMATICS
The average rate of change of f(x) ​f(5) = 50​(1.075)​​  5​≈ 71.78​
from ​​x​  1​​​ to ​​x​  2​​​is the slope of the y −y
​​ _______
2 1 _________
71.78 − 50 ​ = _____
​  21.78 ​ = 4.356​
2 x − x ​= ​ 
1 5−0 5
line containing the points
(​​x​  1​​​, f(​​x​  1​​​)) and (​​x​  2​​​, (f(​​x​  2​​​)).
The sculpture’s value The painting’s value
increased at an average increased at an average
of $4,356 per year. of $4,880 per year.

Over the 5-year period, the value of the painting increased at a greater
average rate than the value of the sculpture.

Try It! 5. In Example 5, will the value of the painting ever surpass the
value of the sculpture according to the models? Explain.

LESSON 6-1 Key Features of Exponential Functions 301

 Concept Assess
Summary

CONCEPT SUMMARY Key Features of Exponential Functions

Exponential Growth Exponential Decay

GRAPHS y y y y
4 4 4 4
b>1 b>1 0 < b < 10 < b < 1
2 2 2 2
x x x x
−4 −2 −4 2 O4
O −2 2 O −2
4 −4 −2 −4 2 O4 2 4
−2 −2 −2 −2

−4 −4 −4 −4

Growth factor: ​1 + r​ Decay factor: ​1 − r​

EQUATIONS ​y = ​a ∙ b​​  x​​, for ​b >1​y = ​a ∙ b​​  x​​, for ​0 < b < 1​

KEY FEATURES Domain: All real numbers Domain: All real numbers
Range: ​{y | y ≥ 0}​ Range: ​{y | y ≥ 0}​
NUMBERS
Intercepts: (0, a) Intercepts: (0, a)
Asymptote: x-axis Asymptote: x-axis

END BEHAVIOR As ​x → −∞, y → 0​ As ​x → −∞, y → ∞​

As ​x → ∞, y → ∞​ As ​x → ∞, y → 0​

MODELS Growth: ​A(t) = a​(1 + r)​​  t​​ Decay: ​A(t) = a​(1 − r)​​  t​​

Do You UNDERSTAND? Do You KNOW HOW?

1. ESSENTIAL QUESTION How do graphs 5. Graph the function ​f(x) = 4 × ​3​​  x​​. Identify the
and equations reveal key features of domain, range, intercept, and asymptote,
exponential growth and decay functions? and describe the end behavior.

2. Vocabulary How do exponential functions 6. The exponential function ​f(x) = 2500​(0.4)​​  x​​
differ from polynomial and rational models the amount of money in Zachary’s
functions? savings account over the last 10 years. Is
Zachary’s account balance increasing or
3. Error Analysis Charles claimed the function decreasing? Write the base in terms of the
x
​ ​​ __
f(x) = ( ​  3 ​)​​​  ​represents exponential decay. rate of growth or decay.
2
Explain the error Charles made.
7. Describe how the graph of ​g(x) = 4​(0.5)​​  x−3​​
4. Communicate Precisely How are compares to the graph of ​f(x) = 4​(0.5)​​  x​​.
exponential growth functions similar to
exponential decay functions? How are they 8. Two trucks were purchased by a landscaping
different? company in 2016. Their values are modeled
by the functions ​f(x) = 35​(0.85)​​  x​and ​g(x) =
46​(0.75)​​  x​ where x is the number of years
since 2016. Which function models the truck
that is worth the most after 5 years? Explain.

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 Scan for Practice Tutorial
PRACTICE & PROBLEM SOLVING Multimedia
Additional Exercises Available Online

UNDERSTAND PRACTICE

9. Use Structure What value of a completes the Identify the domain, range, intercept, and
equation y = a ​∙​​​2​​  x​​ for the exponential growth asymptote of each exponential function. Then
function shown below? describe the end behavior. SEE EXAMPLE 1
x
15. ​f(x) = 0.75​​(__
​  2 ​)​​​  ​​
y
8 14. ​f(x) = 5 ∙ ​3​​  x​
3
x
4 16. ​f(x) = 4​​(__
​  1 ​)​​​  ​​ 17. ​f(x) = 7 ∙ ​2​​  x​​
2
x
−8 −4 O 4 8 Determine whether each function represents
−4 exponential growth or decay. Write the base in
terms of the rate of growth or decay, identify r,
−8 and interpret the rate of growth or decay.
SEE EXAMPLES 3 AND 4
x
10. Make Sense and Persevere Cindy found a 18. ​y = 100 ∙ ​2.5​​  x​​ 19. ​f(x) = 10,200​​(__
​  3 ​)​​​  ​
5
collection of baseball cards in her attic worth x
20. ​f(x) = 12,000​​( ___
10 )
$8,000. The collection is estimated to increase ​  7  ​ ​​​  ​​ 21. y = 450 ∙ ​​2​​  x​​
in value by 1.5% per year. Write an exponential
growth function and find the value of the 22. The function ​f(x)​, shown in the graph,
collection after 7 years. represents an exponential growth function.
Compare the average rate of change of ​f(x)​to
11. Error Analysis Describe and correct the error a the average rate of change of the exponential
student made in identifying the growth or decay growth function ​g(x) = 25 ​(1.4)​​  x​​. Use the
factor for the function ​y = 2.55​(0.7)​​  x​​. interval [0, 4]. SEE EXAMPLE 5
100
f(x)
Step 1 The base of the function 80
is 0.7, so it represents (4, 73.2)
exponential decay. 60
(3, 58.6)
Step 2 The function in the form
40
y = a(1 – r)x is
y = 2.55(1 – 0.7)x.
Step 3 The decay factor is 0.3.
✗ 20
(0, 30)

x
0
0 2 4 6

23. Write a function ​g(x)​that represents the

12. Reason In 2000, the population of St. Louis was exponential function ​f(x) = ​2​​  x​​ after a vertical
346,904, and it decreased to 319,257 in 2010. stretch of 6 and a reflection across the x-axis.
If this population decrease were modeled by Graph both functions. SEE EXAMPLE 2
an exponential decay function, what value
24. The population of Medway, Ohio, was 4,007 in
would represent the y-intercept? Explain your
2000. It is expected to decrease by about 0.36%
reasoning.
per year. Write an exponential decay function
and use it to approximate the population in
13. Mathematical Connections Describe how the
2020. SEE EXAMPLE 4
graph of ​g(x) = 6 ∙ ​2​​  x+1​− 4​compares to the
graph of ​f(x) = 6 ∙ 2x​.

LESSON 6-1 Key Features of Exponential Functions 303

 Practice Tutorial
PRACTICE & PROBLEM SOLVING
Mixed Review Available Online

APPLY ASSESSMENT PRACTICE

25. Model With Mathematics A colony of bacteria 28. The exponential function ​g(x) = ​3​​  x−1​+ 6​is a
starts with 50 organisms and quadruples each transformation of the function ​f(x) = ​3​​  x​​. Does
day. Write an exponential function, P(t), that each statement accurately describe how the
represents the population of the bacteria after graph of ​g(x)​compares to the graph of ​f(x)?​
t days. Then find the number of bacteria that Select yes or no.
will be in the colony after 5 days.
Yes No
DAY 0: 50 DAY 5: ?
a. g(x) is translated 6 units up. ❑ ❑

b. g(x) is translated 6 units down. ❑ ❑

c. g(x) is translated 6 units to the right. ❑ ❑

26. Higher Order Thinking The number of
teams y remaining in a single elimination d. g(x) is translated 1 unit to the right. ❑ ❑
tournament can be found using the
x e. g(x) is translated 1 unit to the left.
exponential function ​y = 128​​(__
​  12 ​)​​​  ​​, where ❑ ❑
x is the number of rounds played in the
f. The horizontal asymptote shifts
tournament. ❑ ❑
1 unit down.
a. Determine whether the function represents
exponential growth or decay. Explain.
29. SAT/ACT Which of the functions defined below
b. What does 128 represent in the function? could be the one shown in this graph?
c. What percent of the teams are eliminated y
after each round? Explain how you know.
4
d. Graph the function. What is a reasonable
domain and range for the function? 2
Explain. x
−4 −2 O 2 4
27. Construct Arguments The function shown in
the graph represents the number of lions in a
region after x years, where the rate of decay
is 20%. The number of zebras in that same Ⓐ ​f(x) = 4​(2)​​  x–1​ + 3​ Ⓒ ​f(x) = 4​(2)​​  x–1​ – 3​
region after x years can be modeled by the
function ​f(x) = 300​(0.95)​​  x​​. A representative Ⓑ ​f(x) = 4​(2)​​  x+1​ + 3​ Ⓓ ​f(x) = 4​​(2)​​  x​​​  +1​ – 3​
for a conservationist group claims there
will be fewer lions than zebras within 30. Performance Task A radioactive isotope of the
2 years. Is the representative correct? Justify element osmium Os-182 has a half-life of 21.5
your answer. hours. This means that if there are 100 grams of
Os-182 in a sample, after 21.5 hours there will
Lion Population
1000 only be 50 grams of that isotope remaining.
f(x)
800 Part A Write an exponential decay function to
model the amount of Os-182 in a sample over
600 time. Use ​​A​  0​​​for the initial amount and A for
Lions

(0, 400) the amount after time t in hours.

400
Part B Use your model to predict how long
200 (5, 131) it would take a sample containing 500 g of
(4, 164)
x Os-182 to decay to the point where it contained
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 only 5 g of Os-182.
Years

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