EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Exponential Functions, Equations, and
Inequalities
An exponential function is a function of the form
where 𝑏 is any number such that 𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏 ≠ 1. In this case, 𝑏 is
called the base and 𝑥 can be any real number.
Examples:
h (5 )
𝑔 (3 )
𝑚 ( 2)
𝑛 (3)
Exponential Functions, Equations, and
Inequalities
Exponential equations are equations in which variables
occur as exponents.
Examples:
Which are Exponential Functions?
Exponential Equations?
𝑥
2
𝑥 +1 2 =4 4
𝑥− 3
2 𝑥 −3 𝑥 1
𝑥
3
𝑥
3 =3 4 =
4
EXPONENTIAL EXPONENTIAL
FUNCTIONS EQUATIONS
Exponential Functions, Equations, and
Inequalities
Exponential inequalities are inequalities in which variables
occur as exponents.
Examples:
Solving Exponential Equations and
Inequalities
Solving Exponential Equations
𝑥
5 =125 𝑥
2 =16
𝑥 𝑥
9 = 81 10 =100,000
Solving Exponential Equations
Exponential equations can be more complex, and in order
to solve such equations, LAWS OF EXPONENTS must be
applied.
𝑥− 4 𝑥− 2 2𝑥 𝑥 −1
4 =2 25 =5
¿ 3
𝑥 −1
=9
Solving Exponential Equations
STEP 1. Rewrite both sides with same
base that is nonzero.
STEP 2. Equate the exponents on both
sides of the equation. (This is the
application of Law 11, if , then .)
STEP 3. Solve for x.
Example 1
𝑥− 4 𝑥− 2
4 =2 Given
(2 )
2 𝑥−4
=2
𝑥 −2 =4
𝑛 𝑚(𝑛)
2 (𝑥 −4 ) 𝑥 −2 (𝑎¿¿ 𝑚) =𝑎 ¿
2 =2
𝟐
2 𝑥− 8
=𝟐
𝑥 −2 2 ( 𝑥 − 4 )=2 𝑥 −8
2 𝑥 −8=𝑥 − 2 If , then
2 𝑥 − 𝑥=8 − 2
𝑥=6
Example 2
¿ Given
¿ 3
8=2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1=1
3
¿
𝑛 𝑛
𝑎 𝑎
𝑛
=( )
𝑏 𝑏
𝑥
=3 If , then
2
𝑥=6
Example 3
25
2𝑥
=5
𝑥 −1 Given
2 2𝑥 𝑥− 1 2
(5 ) =5 25=5
𝑛 𝑚(𝑛)
5
4𝑥
=5
𝑥− 1 (𝑎¿¿ 𝑚) =𝑎 ¿
4 𝑥=𝑥 −1 If , then
3𝑥 1
=−
3 3
1
𝑥=−
3
Graphs of Exponential Function
Plotting an Exponential Function
STEP 1. Construct T-table for values in the domain.
STEP 2. Plot the points
STEP 3. Trace the curve.
Example:
Plot the functions below.
SOLUTIONS:
a. Construct a T-table.
𝑥
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =2 X
Let x=-3 Let x=-0 Let x=3
( )
𝑓 −3 =2
−3
𝑓 ( 0 ) =2
0
𝑓 ( 3 ) =2
3
-3 0.125
¿
1 ¿1 ¿8
2
3
0 1
1
¿
8 3 8
¿ 0.125
Plot (-3, 0.125), (0, 1), and (3, 8)
Trace the curve
SOLUTIONS:
b. Construct a T-table.
−𝑥
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=2
X
Let x=-3 Let x=-0 Let x=3
−(−3) −0
( )
𝑔 − 3 =2 ( )
𝑔 0 =2 −3
𝑔 ( 3 )= 2 -3 8
0 1
¿2 ¿
23 0 1
¿8 ¿1
1
¿
8 3 0.125
¿ 0.125
Plot (-3,8), (0, 1), and (3, 0.125)
Trace the curve
Consider the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = and 𝑔(𝑥) = for
some positive number 𝑎.
Note that 𝑓 and 𝑔 both have no zero.
Otherwise, for each function, it leads to a
contradiction as shown below
Example:
Let 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = has a zero such that there
exists a real number 𝑥 such that
But since 𝑎 > 0, then for all 𝑥, > 0. This contradicts the equation
above that = 0. Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) = has no zero.
