A Transcript of the Lectures in Exponential Functions

Lecture Objective:
In the previous lectures, we discussed piecewise functions, inverse functions, and their applications to
real-life situations. Now, in this chapter, exponential functions will be discussed. The aim of this set of
lectures is to present exponential functions and how we can use these functions to model real-life
situations.

References Used:
Lim, Y., Nocon, R., Nocon, E., Ruivivar, Arceo, V., and Regilioso, T. L. (2016). Math for Engaged Learning -
General Mathematics. Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc., pp. 105-123.

Melosantos, L., Antonio, J., Bruce, R., and Sacluti, J. (2016). Math Connections in the Digital Age General
Mathematics. Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc., 2016.

Verzosa, D. et al, (2016). General Mathematics Learners’ Material . Manila: DepEd-BLR.

Young, C. (2013). Algebra and Trigonometry 3rd Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Lecture 3.1
Exponential Functions

Introduction

Previously, we have dealt with functions where the variables are in the bases. In this lecture, we will
discuss a specific type of function where the variable is situated at the exponents position.

Lesson Proper

Def. An exponential function is a function that can be written in the form

f (x)=a ∙b x ,

where a is non-zero, b is positive, and b ≠ 1. Further, the constant a is also known as the initial value of
f (the value at x = 0) and b is the base.

Example 3.1.1. Determine if the following functions are exponential.

a) f (x)=5x
b) g( x )=3 x 3

()
x
2
c) h(x )=4
3
d) m(x)=9 ( 2 )x

Answers to Example 3.1.1.

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 a) f ( x)=5x is an exponential function since it follows the form defined previously. It has an initial
value of 1, and 5 as the base.
b) g( x )=3 x 3 is not an exponential function.
c) h( x )=4()2 x
3
is an exponential function with 4 as the initial value and
2
3
as the base.
d) m(x)=9 ( 2 )x is not exponential since the base is not a positive number.

Example 3.1.2 Given the function p( x )=2 () 2 x

3
, evaluate the following:
a) p(5)
b) p(0)
c) p( )

d)
p()1
2

Solutions to Example 3.1.2.

( ) with
x
2
a) To evaluate p(5), we find the value of the function at x=5 . Thus, we replace x in p( x )=2
3
5. This results to
p ( 5 )=2 ()
2 5
3
p(5)=
64
243

b) At x=0 , the value of the function is

p ( 0 )=2 ()
2 0
3
p(0)=2

c) At x=¿ , the value of the function is

()
❑
2
p()=2
3
p( )0.5595

1
d) At x= , the value of the function is
2

( ) ( ) p( 12 )=2√ 32
1
1 2
p =2 2
2 3

p ( ) 1.6330
1
2

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Example 3.1.2. Given the function f described in the fable below

x f ( x)

2 48

1 4
1
0
3
1
1
36
1
2
432

Determine the formula that describes the exponential function f .

Solution to Example 3.1.2

Since the problem states that f is exponential, then f must follow the form f ( x )=a ∙b x . Now, given this,
note that for us to arrive at a formula, we must identify the initial value a and the base b of the exponential
function. Recall that the initial value a is equivalent to the value of f (x) at x=0 . Thus, from the given the
1 1
table, we derive that a= . Further, since x=1 when f ( x)= , then
3 36

1 1 11 b 1
= (b) = 3=36 bb=
36 3 36 3 12

( )
x
1 1
Therefore, the formula is f ( x )= .
3 12

Remark. If there exists a common ratio between the y -values in a function expressed as a table of values
(where the given x -values are discrete), then the function is exponential. Further, this common ratio

(computed as
y−value
previous y−value )
, is also known as the growth factor (if the common ratio is a value that is
greater than 1) or decay factor (if the common ratio is a value between 0 and 1).

Example 3.1.3. Suppose a rumor is originally known by 100 people and the number of those who would
know in the future doubles every day. Determine the function R(t ) which describes the rumor spread in t
days. Moreover, using a graphing calculator, determine the number of days when those would know is
350,000 people.

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Solution to Example 3.1.3
A sample tabular representation of the rumor spread is the following:

t R(t )

0 100

1 200

2 400

3 800

4 1600

Since a common ratio exists, clearly, R(t ) is exponential. Further, we see that the initial value a is equal to
100; and the base b=2. As such, R ( t )=100 ( 2 )t.

To determine the number of days t where the number of people would know is 350,000. We solve for the
equation
t
350,000=100 ( 2 ) .

Now, using a graphing calculator, the value of t is determined through letting the left hand side of the
t
equation as y 1 ( y 1=350,000) and the right hand side as y 2 ( y 2=100 ( 2 ) ), then finding the intersection of
their graphs (note that the intersection of graphs is the solution to the equation). This is shown below:

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As such, at approximately 11.77 days, the number of people who knows the rumor is 350,000.

Now, let us explore on the graph of exponential functions. Say y=2x . This function is as an example of an
exponential function with a base b> 1. The graph of y=2x is shown on the next page.

Figure 1

We observe that an exponential function with a base greater than one (b> 1) has the following properties:
 The domain is all real numbers.
 The range is all positive numbers.
 The graph is increasing.
 The graph is continuous.
 The graph does not have an x -intercept.
 The y -intercept of the graph is ( 0,1 ) .
 The graph increases without bound as x approaches positive infinity.
 The graph approaches zero from above when x approaches negative infinity.

( ) 1
 The graph passes through points ( 1 , b ) and 1 , .
b

Now, let us take y= ()1 x

2
as an example of an exponential function with a base between 0 and 1 (in

()
x
1
symbols, 0< b<1 ¿. The graph of y= is shown on the next page.
2

5
 Figure 2

We can observe that an exponential function with a base between 0 and 1 has the following properties:
 The domain is all real numbers.
 The range is all positive numbers.
 The graph is decreasing.
 The graph is continuous.
 The graph does not have an x -intercept.
 The y -intercept of the graph is ( 0,1 ) .
 The graph increases without bound as x approaches negative infinity.
 The graph approaches 0 from above as x approaches positive infinity.

( )
1
 The graph passes through points ( 1 , b ) and 1 , .
b

Example 3.1.4. Characterize the exponential function y=

2 x
3 ()
by stating its domain, range, x -intercept, y -
intercept, and behaviors.

Solution to Example 3.1.4.

Based on the characteristics of an exponential function of the form y=b x, we see that
 The domain is all real numbers (or in symbols {x∨x ∈ R }¿ .
 The range is all positive numbers (or in symbols { y ∨ y >0 }).
 The graph is decreasing.
 The graph is continuous.
 The graph does not have an x -intercept.
 The y -intercept of the graph is ( 0,1 ) .
 The graph increases without bound as x approaches negative infinity.
 The graph approaches 0 from above as x approaches positive infinity.

( ) ( )2
 The graph passes through points 1 , and 1 , .
3
3
2

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 Def. Natural Number
As n approaches infinity, the value of the expression 1+
n( )
1 n
approaches the irrational number e (also
referred to as the Natural Number or Euler’s number), which is approximately equal to 2.718281828…
Def. Continuous Exponential Growth or Decay Model
One of the models that describe continuous growing or decaying processes is the function
rt
C (t)=P0 e

where C (t) represents the population at time t , P0 is a positive constant representing the population
at t=0 , r is another constant that represents the rate of growth, t represents the time, and e is the
natural number (Euler’s Number).

Remark. Given that P0is a positive constant, when r >0 then C is regarded as a continuous exponential
growth function; when r <0 , C is regarded as a continuous exponential decay function.

Example 3.1.5. The projected population C (t)of Sokovia is given by the equation C (t)=100 e 0.05 t , where t
is the number of years after 2010.

a) Give an estimate (in the nearest digit) of the population in 2030 using the exponential model
shown above.
b) Using a graphing calculator, determine the number of years when the population will be 400.

Solution to Example 3.1.5

a) To find the estimate (in the nearest digit) of the population in 2030, we first determine the
number of years after 2010.

t=2030−2010
t=20 years

Now, we input t=20 to the equation C (t)=100 e 0.05 t .

C (20)=100 e 0.05(20)

Therefore,
C (20)≈ 271

b) Since C (t) refers to the population of Sokovia and we are asked to determine the value t that gives
C (t)=400, then we have the equation
0.05 t
400=100 e

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 To solve this graphically, we graph the left and the right hand side of the equation and find its
intersection. This is illustrated below:

From the graph, we can say that the number of years when the population will be 400 is

t ≈ 27.726 years .

Example 3.1.6. The amount C (t) in grams of Carbon-14 present in a certain substance after t years is
given by
−0.0001216 t
C (t)=20 e .

a) What is the initial amount present?

b) Is the function growing or decaying?
c) How much is left after 10,400 years?
d) Using a graphing calculator, determine when the carbon-14 present will be half its original
amount.

Answers to Example 3.1.6

a) The initial amount present is 20.
b) The function is decaying (r <0 ).
c) After 10,400 years, the amount left is approximately 5.6468 grams.
d) The carbon-14 present will be half its original amount after 5700 years.

Def. Discrete Exponential Growth or Decay Model

If a population P is changing at a constant percentage r in a specific period of time then function
t
D(t)=P0 (1+r ) ,

represents the population at time t where P0 is the initial amount or the population at time t , is the
initial population, r is the rate of growth or decay expressed as a decimal.
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Remark. If r >0 , then D(t) is a discrete exponential growth function. Its growth factor is the base of the
exponential function, 1+r . On the other hand, if r <0 , then D(t) is called a discrete exponential decay
function. Similarly, its decay factor is the base of the exponential function, 1+r .

Example 3.1.7. Suppose that your ₱2,500,000 regular time deposit savings in the bank grows 1% yearly
interest. How much would your money be after 7 years? How long would it take for your money to grow
to ₱3,000,000?

Solution to Example 3.1.7

Based from the given problem, the initial amount, P0 , is ₱2,500,000, and the rate, r , is 1% or 0.01. To
solve for the amount after 7 years (t=7) , we shall input the given quantities to the formula
t
D(t)=P0 (1+r ) . And so,

D(7)=2,500,000 ( 1+0.01 )7
D(7)=2,680,338.38.

Next, for us to solve for the time it takes for the money to grow to ₱3,000,000, we shall use the same
t
formula, D(t)=P0 (1+r ) , and input ₱3,000,000 as the amount after t years, D(t) . Thus,

3,000,000=2,500,000 ( 1+0.01 )t .

Now, using a graphing calculator, we graph the equations y=3,000,000∧ y=2,500,000 ( 1+0.01 )t , then we
find their point/s of intersection.

From the graph, we can say that it will take 18.323 years for the money to grow to ₱3,000,000.

Example 3.1.8. The yearly inflation rate tells the percentage by which prices increase. In the Philippines,
inflation is recorded at 6.4% this August 2018 (fastest since March 2009). Suppose an individual retired
with a ₱1,500,000 retirement pay. Moreover, assuming that the inflation remains constant at 6.4%,

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determine how long it will take in years for the retirement pay to deflate to half of its current value. Note
that to say that the retirement income has deflated to half of its current value means that the prices have
doubled.

Solution to Example 3.1.8

Let a certain product P0 be amount to 750,000 php. Assuming that the inflation rate remains constant at
6.4%, we can determine when the product will double its current value through solving the equation
t
1,500,000=750,000 ( 1+0.064 )

Now, using a graphing calculator, we see that

t ≈ 11.17 years .

Remark. There’s an algebraic way to solve the same equation above (through the concept of Logarithms).
This will be tackled on the next lecture.

Example 3.1.9. The table below shows the balance in a dollar savings account that grows over time since
the initial investment

Time in Months 0 1 2 3 4
Savings Balance $3500 $3542 $3585.50 $3627.52 $3671.04

Create a model that describes the growth of the investment and determine how much savings you would
have after 12 months.

Solution to Example 3.1.9

Since the growth factor is consistent (or in other words we say, a common ratio exists) and the savings
balance grows discretely, then we can model the data through the use of the discrete exponential model,
with initial value ( P0 ¿ as $3500, growth factor (1+r ¿ as 1.012. Now, if we let the savings balance as S(t )
where t is the time in months, we have

S ( t ) =3500 (1.012 )t .

This means that after 12 months, the savings balance in the account should be S ( 12 )=3500 ( 1.012 )12

Modeling Nearly Exponential Data

Recall that functions are used as tools to model patterns emerging from various life phenomena. In this
part of the lecture, we shall model data that are nearly exponential in nature through the use of
computing softwares.

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 Def. Regression Analysis
Regression analysis is a process of performing mathematical computations to find the formula (or
model) that best fits a set of data for the purposes of modeling and prediction.

There are generally two regression models that involves exponential-looking data:
 The Exponential Regression: y= A (B) x, where B is equivalent to 1+r .
 The e -Exponential Regression: y= A erx

Example 3.1.10. In 1971, Starbucks Coffee opened its first location in Pike Place Market —Seattle’s
legendary open-air farmer’s market. By 1987, the number of Starbucks locations had grown to 17 and by
2005 there were 10,241 locations. The data below (obtained from Starbucks Coffee’s website,
www.starbucks.com) summarize the growth of this company from 1987 through 2005.

Year Number of Locations

1987 17
1989 55
1991 116
1993 272
1995 676
1997 1,412
1999 2,498
2001 4,709
2003 7,225
2005 10,241

Determine the model that describes the growth of the number Starbucks locations.

Now, to model the given data, the first step is to enter the data in the table into a graphing calculator or
other viable program. Let t=0 represent year 1987.

11
Next, using the exponential regression or trendline option of the grapher, we find a model (using the e -
Exponential and Exponential Regression) that best fits this data set.

First, let us use the Exponential Regression model: y= A (B) x.

Based from the computed values of the parameters, we can say that A=164.128 and B=1.26072. And so,
the exponential model for the given data is y=(164.128)(1.26072) x.

Now, let us use the e -Exponential Regression model: y= A erx .

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Based from the computed values of the parameters, we can say that A=164.128 and r =0.231681. And so,
the exponential model for the given data is y=164.128 e 0.231681 x .

Now, we can use the exponential models to predict future values or in this case, future number of
Starbucks locations. Let us say, we want to predict the number of Starbucks locations for 2020. We
simply input x=33 to our models. Thus, we will have the following results:

Using Exponential Regression: y= A (B) x: Using e -Exponential Regression: y= A erx

x 0.231681 x
y=(164.128)(1.26072) y=164.128 e
0.231681 (33)
y=(164.128)(1.26072)33 y=164.128 e
y 343,239 locations y 343,217 locations

What about for the years 2013 and 2015?

Answer: Using the model y= A (B) x , we have y=(164.128) ( 1.26072 )26 ≈ 67,805 locations for year 2013. On
the other hand, y=164.128 e 0.231681 x =164.128 e0.231681 (26 ) ≈ 67,802 locations for year 2013 if we use the model
rx
y= A e .

For year 2015, we have y=(164.128) ( 1.26072 )28 ≈ 107,771 or y=164.128 e 0.231681 (28) ≈ 107,765 locations using
the two regression models.

Verification: There are 19,767 Starbucks locations in 2013 and 22,519 locations in 2015. (You can verify
these numbers and find more up-to-date information in the investors’ section of the Starbucks Web
site…)

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Why is there such a big difference between our predicted values and the actual number of Starbucks
locations? What real-world feature of business growth was not accounted for in the exponential growth
model?

Response: The only factor considered in modeling was the given data. Business growth is a complex
phenomenon; one has to consider a number of factors in play (e.g. trend, sales, management,
geographical location, technology, etc.) in order to produce an accurate model.

However, given a phenomenon that is observed in highly controlled environment, modeling through the
data alone will most likely be an accurate tool for prediction.

Supplementary Exercises

The following data, taken from the Information Please Almanac, show the U.S. population from 1800 to
1860, just prior to the Civil War.

Date 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860

Population in
5.31 7.24 9.64 12.87 17.07 23.19 31.44
Millions

Let t be the time in years since 1800 and N be the population in Millions. The table N as a function of t is
shown below:

t 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
N 5.31 7.24 9.64 12.87 17.07 23.19 31.44

1) Assuming that the population of U.S. is nearly exponential , construct an exponential regression
model that describes the growth of the population using Desmos (2 models) and Excel (1 model).
2) Estimate the population in 1870 using the 3 models.
3) Given that there were 39.82 million U.S. citizens 1870, do you think that the models generated
were reasonable? Why?
4) Which among the models do you think would most likely give a good estimate of the US population
size? Explain.

- End of Lecture Transcript -

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