Graphing Exponential Functions: Useful Patterns (5.3.2)

Question 1

• Exponential functions are functions where the variable is in the exponent.

Answer 1

• Exponential functions are functions where the variable is in the exponent.

Question 2

• The graphs of exponential functions like y = a
x where a >1 all have the same basic shape. The graph grows rapidly for positive x and shrinks gradually to zero for negative x. The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote.

Answer 2

• The graphs of exponential functions like y = a
x where a >1 all have the same basic shape. The graph grows rapidly for positive x and shrinks gradually to zero for negative x. The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote.

Question 3

• The larger the base of an exponential function, the more rapidly it grows for positive values of x and the more rapidly it decreases for negative values of x.

Answer 3

• The larger the base of an exponential function, the more rapidly it grows for positive values of x and the more rapidly it decreases for negative values of x.