Algebra 2B Unit 2 Lesson 7: Graphing Exponential Functions

The basic format of an exponential function is:

  
The P will tell you what the y-intercept is as well as a little about the direction the graph is facing. If
there is no number for P, the y-intercept will be 1.
The b is the base of the exponential part. It also gives you an idea of what direction the graph will be
going. If b > 1, the function is an exponential growth function- the steep side of the curve will be on the
right. If b < 1, the function is an exponential decay function- the steep side of the curve will be on the
left.
b > 1 (exponential growth)

b < 1 (exponential decay)

Positive P

Positive P

Negative P

Negative P

Remember, the P value will also tell you something about the y-intercept as well:

P=2
P=5

In these two functions, the b value is the

same, it is only the P value that has changed.
In the pink function, P = 2, in the light blue
function, P = 5. Notice what the y-intercept is
on each function: (0, 2) and (0, 5).

Algebra 2B Unit 2 Lesson 7: Graphing Exponential Functions

However, sometimes the original function of
   is also shifted. When this happens, we see
that there are extra numbers added to the function:

  
 
The h will tell you how much the function shifts left/right. Notice that this value is subtracted. This
means if you see x + 3 in the exponent, the graph would shift 3 to the LEFT because this is really
showing x (-3), whereas x 3 would tell you that the graph shifts 3 to the RIGHT.
The k tells you how much the graph shifts up/down. In this case, +3 at the end of the function will
shift the function 3 units UP, and 3 at the end will shift the function 3 unit DOWN.

The extremely easy way to notice the vertical (k) shift is to look at the flatter part of the function.
Normally, the function will flatten out at y = 0 (the x-axis), however, if it flattens out at a different y =
line, then the graph has been shifted up or down.
The flat part of
the function
shifted up 3
units.

The purple function is f(x) = -2(0.5)x and the yellow

function is f(x) = -2(0.5)x + 3. If you notice the major
difference between the two functions is that the area
where the function is flat moves from the x-axis (y = 0)
to y = 3.
(Note that this will also change the y-intercept from -2
to 1, which makes the y-intercept 3 higher than the
original.)

The way to tell the difference between a horizontal shift and a vertical shift is that the flattened part of
the function will not have moved.

The flat part of the

function did NOT
shift, so this is only
a horizontal shift.

The green function is f(x) = 2(0.5)x and the orange

function is f(x) = 2(0.5)x + 3. Notice that the
difference between this set of functions and the
purple/yellow functions right above this is that the
flattened part of the function is still on the x-axis.
(Also, the y-intercept will shift when the function is
shifted horizontally. However, it tends to be more
difficult to pin-point the exact new intercept.)

Algebra 2B Unit 2 Lesson 7: Graphing Exponential Functions

If you still have trouble spotting the correct graph or the correct function for a graph, I recommend that
you look at the function in the question or the functions that are possible answers and actually graph
them yourself to see what matches the best.

Now that I have explained how to understand the graphs of exponential functions, the next thing is to
understand is average rate of change. Average rate of change is just a different term for slope. The
only reason that we say average rate of change instead of slope is because we are now looking at
curvy lines instead of straight, linear functions.
    
  


 


 

This is actually the same as our typical slope formula:  . You have to know the coordinates (x, y) for


the points you are interested in.

Example:
For the function f(x) = 3(1.1)x, find the average rate of change between x = 3 and x = 8.
The first thing we need to do is plug in x = 3 and solve the equation to find the y-coordinate.

3  31.1  31.331  3.993
Then, plug in x = 8 and solve.

8  31.1"  32.14358881  6.43076643
Now, we find the average rate of change:

8
3 6.43076643 3.993 2.43776643


 0.487553286
83
83
5

So, the average rate of change between x = 3 and x = 8 is about 0.488