Chapter 4: Problem 495
Graph the function \(f(x)=4\left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{x}\) and its reflection about the \(y\) -axis on the same axes, and give the \(y\) -intercept.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The y-intercept is (0, 4).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Function Type
The given function \( f(x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{x} \) is an exponential function. It has the form \( a(b)^x \), where \( a = 4 \) and \( b = \frac{1}{8} \). Since \( 0 < b < 1 \), the function is a decreasing exponential function.
02
Determine the y-intercept of f(x)
To find the \( y \)-intercept, set \( x = 0 \) in the function. \[ f(0) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{0} = 4 \times 1 = 4. \] So, the \( y \)-intercept is \( (0, 4) \).
03
Graph f(x)
The graph of \( f(x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{x} \) is an exponentially decreasing curve. It passes through the point \( (0, 4) \) and approaches the \( x \)-axis as \( x \) increases.
04
Find the Reflection f(-x)
Reflect the graph of \( f(x) \) across the \( y \)-axis by replacing \( x \) with \( -x \) in the function. The reflection is \( f(-x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{-x} = 4 \cdot 8^x \). This creates a new function that is exponentially increasing.
05
Graph the Reflection f(-x)
The graph of \( f(-x) = 4 \cdot 8^x \) is an exponentially increasing curve. It passes through the same \( y \)-intercept \( (0, 4) \) as \( f(x) \) and increases rapidly as \( x \) increases.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are quite fascinating, as they represent situations where a quantity grows or decays at a rate proportional to its current value. The general form of an exponential function is given by \(f(x) = a(b)^x\). In this formula:
- \(a\) is a constant, indicating the initial value or scale factor.
- \(b\) is the base of the exponential, determining the growth or decay factor.
- \(x\) is the exponent, and it varies to show different values of the function.
Decreasing Function
The function \(f(x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^x\) is an example of a decreasing exponential function. This means that as \(x\) increases, the value of \(f(x)\) decreases. Here's why:
- In our function, the base \(b\) is \(\frac{1}{8}\), which is less than 1.
- Since \(0 < b < 1\), the function decreases as \(x\) increases.
- Therefore, the values of \(f(x)\) approach zero, but never touch the x-axis.
Reflection across Y-Axis
Reflecting a function across the y-axis provides a mirror image of the function's graph. To perform this reflection for the function \(f(x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^x\), replace \(x\) with \(-x\). This process results in a new function, \(f(-x) = 4 \cdot 8^x\).
- This transformation involves switching the base from \(\frac{1}{8}\) to 8, and the behavior changes from decreasing to increasing.
- Reflecting across the y-axis affects the direction of the exponential behavior; what was a decay is now a rapid increase.
- This new function still passes through the same y-intercept \((0, 4)\), but grows exponentially for positive values of \(x\).
Y-Intercept
The y-intercept of a function is a critical point on its graph - the location where the graph crosses the y-axis. For exponential functions, finding the y-intercept is straightforward. We calculate it by setting \(x = 0\) and evaluating the function.
- For \(f(x) = 4 \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^x\), when \(x = 0\), \(f(0) = 4 \cdot 1 = 4\).
- This result tells us that the y-intercept is \((0, 4)\).
- Even after a reflection, as in \(f(-x) = 4 \cdot 8^x\), the y-intercept remains \((0, 4)\), unchanged by this particular transformation.