Summary: Graphs of Exponential Functions

Key Equations

Key Concepts

• The graph of the function [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}[/latex] has a y-intercept at [latex]\left(0, 1\right)[/latex], domain [latex]\left(-\infty , \infty \right)[/latex], range [latex]\left(0, \infty \right)[/latex], and horizontal asymptote [latex]y=0[/latex].
• If [latex]b>1[/latex], the function is increasing. The left tail of the graph will approach the asymptote [latex]y=0[/latex], and the right tail will increase without bound.
• If 0 < b < 1, the function is decreasing. The left tail of the graph will increase without bound, and the right tail will approach the asymptote [latex]y=0[/latex].
• The equation [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}+d[/latex] represents a vertical shift of the parent function [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}[/latex].
• The equation [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x+c}[/latex] represents a horizontal shift of the parent function [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}[/latex].
• Approximate solutions of the equation [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x+c}+d[/latex] can be found using a graphing calculator.
• The equation [latex]f\left(x\right)=a{b}^{x}[/latex], where [latex]a>0[/latex], represents a vertical stretch if [latex]|a|>1[/latex] or compression if [latex]0<|a|<1[/latex] of the parent function [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}[/latex].
• When the parent function [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{x}[/latex] is multiplied by –1, the result, [latex]f\left(x\right)=-{b}^{x}[/latex], is a reflection about the x-axis. When the input is multiplied by –1, the result, [latex]f\left(x\right)={b}^{-x}[/latex], is a reflection about the y-axis.
• All translations of the exponential function can be summarized by the general equation [latex]f\left(x\right)=a{b}^{x+c}+d[/latex].
• Using the general equation [latex]f\left(x\right)=a{b}^{x+c}+d[/latex], we can write the equation of a function given its description.

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