Chapter 9: Problem 29
Write an exponential function for the graph that passes through the given points. $$ (0,3) \text { and }(1,15) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function is \( y = 3 \times 5^x \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Exponential Function Form
An exponential function can be represented by the equation \( y = ab^x \), where \( a \) is the initial value and \( b \) is the base of the exponential function.
02
Substitute the First Point
The given point \( (0, 3) \) tells us that when \( x = 0 \), \( y = 3 \). Substitute these values into the equation: \( 3 = ab^0 \). Since \( b^0 = 1 \), we have \( a = 3 \). This gives us the equation \( y = 3b^x \).
03
Substitute the Second Point
The second point is \( (1, 15) \). Using \( y = 3b^x \), substitute \( x = 1 \) and \( y = 15 \). This gives: \( 15 = 3b^1 \) which simplifies to \( 15 = 3b \).
04
Solve for Base \( b \)
Divide both sides of the equation \( 15 = 3b \) by 3 to solve for \( b \). This results in \( b = 5 \).
05
Write the Exponential Function
Now that we have \( a = 3 \) and \( b = 5 \), substitute these back into the exponential function format to get the final equation: \( y = 3 \cdot 5^x \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Growth
Exponential growth is a concept where a quantity increases by a consistent factor over equal increments of time. In simple terms, it means something grows faster and faster as it gets larger. For example, if you start with $100 and it grows by 5% every year, the amount it grows each year becomes larger.
Key points about exponential growth include:
- The rate of growth becomes quicker over time.
- It often models processes like population growth, compound interest, and spread of diseases.
- This growth is represented graphically as a curve that starts slowly and steepens rapidly.
Function Form
The standard form of an exponential function can be expressed as \[ y = ab^x \] where \( a \) represents the initial value, and \( b \) is the base of the exponential function, which dictates the rate of growth. Understanding this form is crucial to solving exponential problems. Here's why:
- \( a \) (the initial value) is what you start with, like starting capital or initial population.
- \( b \) (the base) is what you multiply by for each increment in \( x \), determining the growth rate.
Equation Solving
Solving an exponential equation involves using given points to find unknown parameters in the function form. For our task, we are given two points: (0,3) and (1,15). Steps to solve:
- Start by substituting the initial point (for example, \(x = 0\)) into the function to find \(a\). Since the problem states when \(x = 0, y = 3\), our equation becomes \(3 = ab^0\). Since any number to the power of zero is one, it simplifies to \(a = 3\).
- Next, use the second point to find \(b\), which is the growth factor. Substitute into \(y = 3b^x\) using point (1,15). Therefore, \(15 = 3b^1\), leading to \(15 = 3b\).
- Solving for \(b\) requires dividing both sides by 3, yielding \(b = 5\).
Graph Interpretation
Interpreting the graph of an exponential function involves understanding how changes in the equation's parameters affect its shape. Exponential graphs typically start with a relatively flat section, then rapidly increase in steepness.Main features of the exponential graph:
- The y-intercept, where the function touches the y-axis, represents the initial value \(a\). In our example, \(y = 3 \cdot 5^x\), the y-intercept is 3.
- The base \(b\) influences the curve's steepness. Larger values of \(b\) produce steeper graphs.
- As \(x\) increases, \(y\) grows more quickly, showing the rapid expansion characteristic of exponential functions.