Lesson 30: Exponential Functions

Beginning with a formal definition of an exponential function, the lesson then compares the graphs of increasing and decreasing exponential functions. A comparison between exponential and power functions follows, which leads to methods for determining the \(p\) value in the power function \(h(x) = kx^p\) and the value of the base \(b\) in the exponential function \(f(x) = ab^x\). A procedure for solving exponential equations is presented before a population application problem is solved. The lesson concludes with a discussion about using graphs to find approximate solutions to exponential equations.