Algebra 2 05.
01 Exponential Functions
Essential Questions
How is an exponential function created?
How can the properties of exponents help solve exponential equations?
What are some real-world applications for exponential functions?
Exponential Functions
An exponential function is a function where the variable is located in the exponent and the base
of function is a positive real number not equal to . For example:
But,
Is not an exponential function.
Exponent Properties
Product Property
When multiplying two of the same variable, add the exponents. Fractions must have a common
denominator before being added:
Quotient Property
When dividing two of the same variable, subtract the exponents. Fractions must have common
denominators before being subtracted:
Power to Power
When a power is raised to another power, multiply the exponents. To multiply fractions, multiply
the numerator by the numerator and the denominator by the denominator.
Negative Exponents
Solving Exponential Equations with Equal Bases
Example 1
Example 2
Exponential Growth and Decay Functions
An exponential growth function is a function where the amount of money or of a
substance increases exponentially as time passes. The base of the exponent must be greater
than 1.
An exponential decay function is a function where the amount of money or of a substance
decreases exponentially as time passes. The base of the exponent must be between 0 and 1.
The constant number e is used in a variety of science and mathematical applications where
an amount grows or decays consistently over time. The constant e is equivalent to
2.71828....
Important Exponential Functions
Compound interest is
The variable represents the amount after years.
The principal, or the amount at the beginning, is .
The interest rate, or rate of change, is , written in decimal format.
The number of times interest is earned, or compounded, on the account each year is .
Continuous interest is
The variable represents the amount after years.
The principal, or the amount at the beginning, is .
The interest rate, or rate of change, is , written in decimal format.
Depreciation is
The variable represents the amount after years.
The principle, or the amount at the beginning, is .
The rate of change is , written in decimal format.
Algebra 2 05.02 Logarithmic Functions
Suppose you are graphing a linear function , and you wanted to find the inverse of
the function. This would be as easy as reflecting the graph across the line . Solving this
algebraically, we do this:
The inverse of an exponential function is a logarithmic function. For instance, is an
exponential function with a base of 10. The logarithmic function of this is . When
the logarithm has a base of 10, it is known as the common logarithm and is written without the
base:
Essential Questions
How are exponential functions related to logarithmic functions?
The base change property can help in what type of scenarios?
How can logarithms be used to solve exponential equations?
Converting Between Logarithmic and Exponential
So:
Further:
Even Further:
Once the bases are the same:
So:
A logarithm with a base , is known as the natural logarithm and is written as
Creating Logarithmic Functions
For a function table like:
1
As we can see, the value increases by a common ratio, this ratio is the base of the logarithm, :
Solving Logarithmic Equations
Change of Base Formula
Solving Exponential Equations with Unequal Bases
Finding Rates of Growth or Decay for Different Time
Intervals
Given an exponential function , the exponent can be modified to find the
rate of growth or decay for a different time interval.
Use , where c is the number of times more the growth or decay will be
calculated.