1 Exponential Functions

1.1 Properties of Exponential Function

Exponential functions is dened as y = b
x
, b > 0, b = 1
Their nite dierences are constant multiplies of each other
The function is increasing if b > 1
The function is increasing if 0 < b < 1
Exponential functions are not dened for negative bases i.e b < 0
There are two important points to consider on the graph of the exponential
function without any transformation (0, 1) and (1, b) since b
0
= 1 and b
1
= b
Thinking Questions
1. simplify 9
3 2
8
+2
9
2
2. What is the tens digit of 11
3
3. 5 + 4 5 + 4 5
2
not done
4. 2
x+2
2
x+5
+ 7 = 0
5. 9
x
+ 3
x
12 = 0
6. 3x
2
3
+ x
1
3
2 = 0
7. If x > 0, x
2
= 2
64
and x
x
= 2
y
what is the value of y?
8. If 8
x
9
2y
= 81(2
21y
) What is the value of x
9. if x = 23
2
25
4
27
6
29
8
and is multiple of 26
n
, where n is a non-negative
integer, then what is the value of n
2
6 26
n
10.
15
2
5
+2
6
+2
7
+4
4
11. simplify the following expression
3
2011
+3
2011
3
2010
+3
2012
12. If x
2
yz
3
= 7
3
and xy
2
= 7
9
, then nd the value of xyz
1.2 Applications of Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are used to model growth or decay in many scientic and
nancial situations. Common applications include but are not limited to
Radioactive and Carbon Decay;
Compound Interest;
Light Penetration Under Water;
Population and Bacteria Growth;
Appreciation/Depreciation of Value
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1. In the early 1950s, the Canadian dollar was declining in value due to
ination at the rate of 8.3% per year. If the situation continued, what
would the dollar be worth in 5 years?
2. During a recession, the value of a real estate property in city A depreciates
5% semi-annually. If the property is worth $300,000 now, whats the value
of the property in 3 years time?
3. The population of a city was estimated to be 125,000 in 1930 and 500,000
in 1998. Estimate the population of the city in 2020
4. Suppose you invest $200 at 9% interest per annum compounded annually.
How many years would it take for your investment to grow to $500?
5. Light intensity is reduced by 2.5% for every meter of water in penetrates
into. If we start with 100% light at the surface then I(d) = 100 (0.975)d,
where d is depth of water in meters.
6. Cesium-144, a product of a nuclear explosion, has a half life of 280 days.
Determine the remaining percentage of this product after 800 days.
7. A research assistant made 160 mg of radioactive sodium Na-24 and found
that there was only 20 mg left 45 hours later. Find a function that models
the amount A left after t hours.
8. On the day his son is born, an excited father wants to give his new son a
seasons ticket to watch the father favourite sports team. A seasons ticket
costs $900. The father realizes that there is no point in buying tickets for
a baby a few hours old, so he decides to put the money aside until the
boy is six years old. If Ination is assumed to be 3% per year, how much
money should the father put aside so that he can purchase the tickets
seasons ticket in six years
9. A brand new Japanese sport car is worth $72,000 now. Its value decreases
exponentially every year. Find the annual rate of depreciation if the value
of the sport car decreases to $45,000 ve years from now
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