Honors Precalculus Notes--Chapter 3, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

, 3. 1 Exponential Functions

Definition of an Exponential Function


The exponential function f with base b is defined by

fix )
'

y=b×
'

b
-



or
-




where b is a
positive constant other than I (b > O and b 't 1)




Example :
Graphing an Exponential Function
^




!
Graph : fix ) -
-
3×
3- •



fly >
"
X
=3
z -




z

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.


, 3. ,
} .
.

.

¥
up a .

' '
'
-
I 3- =
-3 . =
J •
•

then plot these points , connecting 4 l l l l l
2
3 2 i 3
30--1
i
- -
-




O
them with a Smoot , continuous curve .
-
- l
'

l
3 =
3
-

2 -




-
3 -




fcx )
't
characteristics of Exponential Functions of the Form -
-
b