You are on page 1of 3

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Definition of the Exponential Function


The exponential function f with base b is defined by
() = or = ,
where is a positive constant other than 1 (b > 0 and b 1) and is any real number.

Characteristics of Exponential Functions of the Form () =


1. The domain of () = consists of all real numbers: (, ). The range of
() = consists of all positive real numbers: (0, ).
2. The graphs of all exponential functions of the form () = pass through
the point (0, 1) because (0) = 0 = 1 ( 0). The y-intercept is 1. There is
no x-intercept.
3. If > 1, () = has a graph that goes up to the right and is an increasing
function. The greater the value of , the steeper the increase.
4. If 0 < < 1, () = has a graph that goes down to the right and is a decreasing function. The smaller the value
of b, the steeper the decrease.
5. () = is one-to-one and has an inverse that is a function.
6. The graph of () = approaches, but does not touch, the x-axis. The x-axis,
or y = 0, is a horizontal asymptote.

Table 4.1 Transformations Involving Exponential Functions


In each case, c represents a positive real number.
Transformation Equation Description
Vertical translation () = + Shifts the graph of () = upward units.
() = Shifts the graph of () = downward units.
Horizontal translation () = + Shifts the graph of () = to the left units.
() = Shifts the graph of () = to the right units.
Reflection () = Reflects the graph of () = about the x-axis.
() = Reflects the graph of () = about the y-axis.
Vertical stretching or shrinking () = Vertically stretches the graph of () = if > 1.
Vertically shrinks the graph of () = if 0 < < 1.
Horizontal stretching or shrinking () = Horizontally stretches the graph of () = if > 1.
Horizontally shrinks the graph of () = if 0 < < 1.
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
log = means that = where x 0, b 0, b 1

Think: Raise b to the power of y to obtain x. y is the exponent.

The key thing to remember about logarithms is that the logarithm is an exponent!
The rules of exponents apply to these and make simplifying logarithms easier.

Example: log10 100 = 2 since 100 = 102 .

log10 is often written as just log x , and is called the COMMON logarithm.
log is often written as ln x , and is called the NATURAL logarithm (note: e 2.718281828459...).

Basic Logarithmic Properties Involving One


1. = Because 1 is the exponent to which b must be raised to obtain b. (1 = )
2. = Because 0 is the exponent to which b must be raised to obtain 1. ( 0 = 1)
Properties of Logarithms
Where b > 0 and b 0,
Identity Property: = General property
Zero Property: = General property
Inverse Property 1: = General property
Inverse Property 2: = General property
Let , , , be positive real numbers with 1.
Product Rule: () = +

Quotient Rule: ( ) =
Power Rule: =
Change of Base Property:
The General Property Introducing Common Logarithms Introducing Natural Logarithms

= = =

Same base: = , =
One-to-One Property of Logarithms: = , = . > >
Use logs to solve exponential equations: = = =

Definition of Logarithm: = = , Solution set >

Expressing an Exponential Model in Base e: = is equivalent to = ( )


Natural Logarithms General Properties Common Logarithms
1. = 1. = 1. =
2. = 2. = 2. =
3. = 3. = 3. =
4. = 4. = 4. =
Solving Exponential Equations by Expressing Each Side as a Power of the Same Base
If = , then M = N.1. Rewrite the equation in the form = . 2. Set M = N 3. Solve for the variable.

Using the Definition of a Logarithm to Solve Logarithmic Equations


If = , then M = N. 1. Rewrite the equation in the form = .

Characteristics of Logarithmic Functions of the Form () = log


1. The domain of () = log consists of all positive real numbers: (0, ).
The range of () = log consists of all real numbers: (, ).
2. The graphs of all logarithmic functions of the form () = log pass through the point (1, 0)
because (1) = log 1 = 0. The x-intercept is 1.There is no y-intercept.
3. If b > 1, () = log has a graph that goes up to the right and is an increasing function.
4. If 0 < b < 1, () = log has a graph that goes down to the right and is a decreasing function.
5. The graph of () = log approaches, but does not touch, they-axis. The y-axis, or x = 0, is a vertical asymptote.

Transformation Equation Description


Vertical translation () = log + Shifts the graph of () = log upward units.
() = log Shifts the graph of () = log downward units.
Horizontal translation () = log ( + ) Shifts the graph of () = log to the left units.
() = log ( ) Vertical asymptote: =
Shifts the graph of () = log to the right units.
Vertical asymptote: =
Reflection () = log Reflects the graph of () = log about the x-axis.
() = log () Reflects the graph of () = log about the y-axis.
Vertical stretching or shrinking () = c log Vertically stretches the graph of () = log if > 1.
Vertically shrinks the graph of () = log if 0 < < 1.
Horizontal stretching or () = log () Horizontally stretches the graph of () = log if > 1.
shrinking Horizontally shrinks the graph of () = log if 0 < < 1.

You might also like