4.

Exponential Functions
Tony U
University of Macau

Outline
1 Rule of Exponents
2 Exponential Functions
3 Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph
4 Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph
5 Exponential Growth/Decay Process
6 Logistic Curve
7 Summary

Rule of Exponents

Rule of Exponents

Assume that a and b are positive numbers and m and n are

real-valued:
1
2
3

b m b n = b m+n
bm
= b mn
bn
 n
b m = b mn

4
5

-1-

am b m = (a b)m
 m

m
b n = n bm = n b

b0 = 1

b m =

1
bm

Exponential Functions

Exponential Functions

A function of the form f (x) = b x , where b > 0, b 6= 1, and the

exponent x is any real number, is called an exponential function
with base b and exponent x.

-2-

Exponential Functions

Example 1

Given f (x) = 3x , compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

-3-

Exponential Functions

Example 1

Given f (x) = 3x , compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

2

Sol.: f (0) = 30 = 30 = 1

-3-

Exponential Functions

Example 1

Given f (x) = 3x , compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

2

Sol.: f (0) = 30 = 30 = 1
2

f (3) = 3(3) = 39 = 19683

-3-

Exponential Functions

Example 1

Given f (x) = 3x , compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

2

Sol.: f (0) = 30 = 30 = 1
2

f (3) = 3(3) = 39 = 19683

2

f (1) = 3(1) = 31 = 3

-3-

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its

Graph

An exponential function of the form f (x) = b x

a) b > 1: growing exponential function. Useful in modeling
growth processes.
b) 0 < b < 1: decaying exponential function. Useful in modeling
decay processes.

-4-

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

The properties of the exponential function f (x) = b x are as

follows: (Recall: b > 0, b 6= 1)
1

Domain: all real numbers

Range: all positive numbers

y -intercept: (0, 1).

x-intercept: none

a) b > 1: rises from left to right.

b) 0 < b < 1: falls from left to right.

-5-

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

a) If b > 1, the graph approaches the x-axis as x approaches

negative infinity
b) If 0 < b < 1 , the graph approaches the x-axis as x
approaches positive infinity

a) b > 1: larger b greater the rate of increase in f (x)

b) 0 < b < 1: smaller b greater the rate of decrease in f (x)

-6-

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

Example 2
Sketch the functions (a) f (x) = 0.2x , (b) g (x) = 1.5x

-7-

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

Example 2
Sketch the functions (a) f (x) = 0.2x , (b) g (x) = 1.5x
Sol.: (a) The base is less than 1, so f (x) is decreasing function, we
need to determine four points,
x
f (x)

-1
5

0
1

1
0.2

2
0.04

5
4.5
4
3.5

f(x)

3
2.5

f(x)=0.2x

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1

0.5

0.5
x

-7-

1.5

Properties of Exponential Function f (x) = b x and Its Graph

(b) g (x) = 1.5x , the base is greater than 1, so increasing function

x
g (x)

-1
2/3

0
1

1
1.5

2
2.25

2.6
2.4
2.2
2

g(x)

1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2

g(x)=1.5x

1
0.8
1

0.5

0.5
x

-8-

1.5

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

It can be shown, as m increases without bound (positive infinite),
the value of the expression

1 m
1+
m
approaches the irrational number 2.7182818, which is denoted by
e. The definition e by examining the following table, which may be
constructed with the help of a calculator.
m

1 m
1+
m

10

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

2.59374

2.70481

2.71692

2.71815

2.71827

2.71828

-9-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

A special class of exponential functions is of the form

f (x) = ae kx ,

a and k are real-valued constants

The base: e = 2.71828(5d.p.)
Natural exponential function: exponential function with base e
Useful in modeling continuous growth and decay processes

-10-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 3

Given f (x) = 3(4 e 2x ), compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

-11-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 3

Given f (x) = 3(4 e 2x ), compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

Sol.: f (0) = 3(4 e 2(0) ) = 3(4 1) = 9.

-11-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 3

Given f (x) = 3(4 e 2x ), compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

Sol.: f (0) = 3(4 e 2(0) ) = 3(4 1) = 9.
f (3) = 3(4 e 2(3) ) = 3(4 e 6 ) = 11.993(3d.p.).

-11-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 3

Given f (x) = 3(4 e 2x ), compute f (0), f (3) and f (1).

Sol.: f (0) = 3(4 e 2(0) ) = 3(4 1) = 9.
f (3) = 3(4 e 2(3) ) = 3(4 e 6 ) = 11.993(3d.p.).
f (1) = 3(4 e 2(1) ) = 3(4 e 2 ) = 10.167(3d.p.).

-11-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 4
Sketch the functions (a) h(x) = e 1.5x , (b) f (x) = e 0.5x .

-12-

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Example 4
Sketch the functions (a) h(x) = e 1.5x , (b) f (x) = e 0.5x .
Sol.: (a) h(x) = e 1.5x ,
x
h(x)

-2
0.0498

-1
0.2231

0
1.0000

1
4.4817

4.5
4
3.5

h(x)

3
2.5
2

h(x)=e1.5x

1.5
1
0.5
0
2

1.5

0.5
x

-12-

0.5

Base-e (Natural) Exponential Function and its Graph

Sol.: (b) f (x) = e 0.5x ,

x
f (x)

-2
2.7183

-1
1.6487

0
1.0000

1
0.6065

2.5

f(x)

1.5

f(x)=e0.5x

0.5
2

1.5

0.5
x

-13-

0.5

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Exponential Growth Process

Exponential growth process: increase continuously with

constant rate. i.e. the value is increasing anytime
Growth process: population growth, appreciation in the value
of assets, inflation, growth in the rate at which particular
resources are used (such as energy), and growth in the gross
national product (GNP).

-14-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Exponential Decay Process

Exponential decay process: decline continuously with constant

rate. i.e. the value is declining anytime
Decay process: include declining value of certain assets such
as machinery, the decline in the rate of incidence of certain
diseases due to the medical research and improvement in
technology, the decline in the purchasing power of a dollar,
and the decline in the efficiency of a machine as it ages.

-15-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Exponential growth and exponential decay processes are described

by the general function:
V = f (t) = V0 e kt (Growth Process)
or
V = f (t) = V0 e kt (Decay Process)
where
V (t) = the value of the function at time t,
V0 = the value of the function at t = 0, or the initial value,
k = the percentage rate of growth/decay, and
t = time measured in the appropriate units (hours, days, weeks,
etc.).

-16-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Example 5

Within a major U.S. city, the annual tonnage of solid waste

(garbage) has been increasing at a rate of 8 percent per year
continuously. Assume the current daily tonnage is 2,500 tons and
the rate and pattern of growth continue.
a. Determine the function that gives the tonnage of solid waste t
years later.
b. What daily tonnage will be expected 10 years from now?

-17-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Determine the function that gives the tonnage of solid waste t
years later.

-18-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Determine the function that gives the tonnage of solid waste t
years later.
Sol.: At time 0, the daily tonnage is 2500, so V0 = 2500, the
tonnage of waste is increasing at a rate 8%, then k = 0.08.
Therefore,
V (t) = 2500e 0.08t .

-18-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Determine the function that gives the tonnage of solid waste t
years later.
Sol.: At time 0, the daily tonnage is 2500, so V0 = 2500, the
tonnage of waste is increasing at a rate 8%, then k = 0.08.
Therefore,
V (t) = 2500e 0.08t .
(b) What daily tonnage will be expected 10 years from now?

-18-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Determine the function that gives the tonnage of solid waste t
years later.
Sol.: At time 0, the daily tonnage is 2500, so V0 = 2500, the
tonnage of waste is increasing at a rate 8%, then k = 0.08.
Therefore,
V (t) = 2500e 0.08t .
(b) What daily tonnage will be expected 10 years from now?
Sol.: t = 10, V (10) = 2500e 0.08(10) = 5, 563.85(2d.p.)

-18-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Example 6
The department of the Interior for the United States estimated
that the number of deer of a particular species was 60,000 at the
beginning of 1980. Scientists estimate that the population of the
species is decreasing exponentially at a rate of 4 percent per year.
a. Write the decay function P = f (t), where P equals the
number of deer and t equals time (in years) measured from
1980.
b. What is the population expected to equal in the year 2000 if
the decay rate remains constant?

-19-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Write the decay function P = f (t), where P equals the number
of deer and t equals time (in years) measured from 1980.

-20-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Write the decay function P = f (t), where P equals the number
of deer and t equals time (in years) measured from 1980.
Sol.: P0 = 60000, since it is a decay process, k = 0.04. Therefore
P = f (t) = 60000e 0.04t .

-20-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Write the decay function P = f (t), where P equals the number
of deer and t equals time (in years) measured from 1980.
Sol.: P0 = 60000, since it is a decay process, k = 0.04. Therefore
P = f (t) = 60000e 0.04t .
(b) What is the population expected to equal in the year 2000 if
the decay rate remains constant?

-20-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) Write the decay function P = f (t), where P equals the number
of deer and t equals time (in years) measured from 1980.
Sol.: P0 = 60000, since it is a decay process, k = 0.04. Therefore
P = f (t) = 60000e 0.04t .
(b) What is the population expected to equal in the year 2000 if
the decay rate remains constant?
Sol.: The expected number of deer at 2000,
f (20) = 60000e 0.04(20) = 26, 960(the nearest integer).

-20-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

Example 7

For the past 3 years, real estate prices in one area of the country
have been increasing at an exponential rate of 4 percent per year.
A home was purchased 3 years ago for $120,000.
a. What is its estimated value today?
b. Assuming appreciation continues at the same rate, what will
its value be 5 years from today?

-21-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) What is its estimated value today?

-22-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) What is its estimated value today?

Sol.: Let V (t) be the value of real estate at time t. Note:
V0 = 120000 is the value at 3 years ago, the growth rate is 4%,
thus V (t) = 120000e 0.04t , The price of real estate today is
V (3) = 120000e 0.04(3) = 135, 299.62(2d.p.).

-22-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) What is its estimated value today?

Sol.: Let V (t) be the value of real estate at time t. Note:
V0 = 120000 is the value at 3 years ago, the growth rate is 4%,
thus V (t) = 120000e 0.04t , The price of real estate today is
V (3) = 120000e 0.04(3) = 135, 299.62(2d.p.).
(b) Assuming appreciation continues at the same rate, what will its
value be 5 years from today?

-22-

Exponential Growth/Decay Process

(a) What is its estimated value today?

Sol.: Let V (t) be the value of real estate at time t. Note:
V0 = 120000 is the value at 3 years ago, the growth rate is 4%,
thus V (t) = 120000e 0.04t , The price of real estate today is
V (3) = 120000e 0.04(3) = 135, 299.62(2d.p.).
(b) Assuming appreciation continues at the same rate, what will its
value be 5 years from today?
Sol.: The value of the real estate after 5 years,
V (8) = 120000e 0.04(8) = 165, 255.33(2d.p.).

-22-

Logistic Curve

Logistic Curve
It is an S-shaped or sigmoidal curve of a function in the form of
Q(t) =

B
,
1 + Ae kt

B, A, and k are positive constants

Q is called a logistic growth function
Upper bound is B, more accurate model of population growth
and also describes the spread of epidemics and rumors in a
community

-23-

Logistic Curve

Example 8
Public health records indicate that t weeks after the outbreak of a
20
certain form of influenza, approximately Q(t) =
1 + 19e 1.2t
thousand people had caught the disease.
a. How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
b. How many had caught the disease by the end of the 2nd
week?
c. If the trend continues, approximately how many people in all
will catch the disease?

-24-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?

-25-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
Sol.: The first broke out means t = 0, thus the number of people
had disease at that time,
Q(0) =

20
= 1(thousand ).
1 + 19e 1.2(0)

-25-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
Sol.: The first broke out means t = 0, thus the number of people
had disease at that time,
Q(0) =

20
= 1(thousand ).
1 + 19e 1.2(0)

(b) How many had caught the disease by the end of the 2nd week?

-25-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
Sol.: The first broke out means t = 0, thus the number of people
had disease at that time,
Q(0) =

20
= 1(thousand ).
1 + 19e 1.2(0)

(b) How many had caught the disease by the end of the 2nd week?
Sol.: t = 2,
Q(2) =

20
= 7.343(thousands).
1 + 19e 1.2(2)

-25-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
Sol.: The first broke out means t = 0, thus the number of people
had disease at that time,
Q(0) =

20
= 1(thousand ).
1 + 19e 1.2(0)

(b) How many had caught the disease by the end of the 2nd week?
Sol.: t = 2,
Q(2) =

20
= 7.343(thousands).
1 + 19e 1.2(2)

(c) If the trend continues, approximately how many people in all

will catch the disease?

-25-

Logistic Curve

(a) How many people had the disease when it first broke out?
Sol.: The first broke out means t = 0, thus the number of people
had disease at that time,
Q(0) =

20
= 1(thousand ).
1 + 19e 1.2(0)

(b) How many had caught the disease by the end of the 2nd week?
Sol.: t = 2,
Q(2) =

20
= 7.343(thousands).
1 + 19e 1.2(2)

(c) If the trend continues, approximately how many people in all

will catch the disease?
Sol.: t tends to infinite, the upper bound of logistic curve is B,
thus approximately at most 20,000 people will catch the disease.
-25-

Logistic Curve

Example 9

It is estimated that t years from now, the population of a certain

20
million.
country will be P(t) =
2 + 3e 0.06t
a. What is the current population?
b. What will the population be 50 years from now?
c. What will happen to the population in the long run?

-26-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

-27-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

Sol.: t = 0,
P(0) =

20
= 4(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(0)

-27-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

Sol.: t = 0,
P(0) =

20
= 4(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(0)

(b) What will the population be 50 years from now?

-27-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

Sol.: t = 0,
P(0) =

20
= 4(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(0)

(b) What will the population be 50 years from now?

Sol.: t = 50,
P(50) =

20
= 9.305(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(50)

-27-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

Sol.: t = 0,
P(0) =

20
= 4(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(0)

(b) What will the population be 50 years from now?

Sol.: t = 50,
P(50) =

20
= 9.305(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(50)

(c) What will happen to the population in the long run?

-27-

Logistic Curve

(a) What is the current population?

Sol.: t = 0,
P(0) =

20
= 4(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(0)

(b) What will the population be 50 years from now?

Sol.: t = 50,
P(50) =

20
= 9.305(million).
2 + 3e 0.06(50)

(c) What will happen to the population in the long run?

Sol.: t tends to infinite, the population in the long run is
P=

20
= 10(million).
2
-27-

Summary

Summary
Rules of Exponent
Exponential function f (x) = b x , b > 0 and b 6= 1.
Natural exponential function f (x) = ae kx , a, k 6= 0
Exponential process f (t) = V0 e kt , k > 0 (growth) and k < 0
(decay)
Logistic Curve
Q(t) =

B
,
1 + Ae kt

Q(0) is the initial value, B is the value in the long run of the
process.
-28-