Chapter 4: Problem 13
Sketch the graph of \(f\) $$f(x)=\left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^{-x}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \(f(x) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^{x}\) is an increasing exponential curve with a horizontal asymptote at \(y = 0\).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Function Type
The function given is \(f(x) = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^{-x}\). This function involves an exponential expression with a negative exponent \(-x\). This is an exponential decay function turned into a growth function due to the negative exponent.
02
Rewrite the Function for Easier Analysis
The function can be re-expressed as \(f(x) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^{x}\). The negative exponent flips the base from \(\frac{2}{5}\) to \(\frac{5}{2}\), changing the expression to exponential growth.
03
Find the Key Points
To sketch the graph, first evaluate key points. For example:- At \(x = 0\), \(f(0) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^{0} = 1\).- At \(x = 1\), \(f(1) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^{1} = \frac{5}{2}\).- At \(x = -1\), \(f(-1) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^{-1} = \frac{2}{5}\).
04
Determine the Asymptote
The horizontal asymptote is \(y = 0\). As \(x\) goes to negative infinity, \(f(x)\) approaches zero but never actually reaches it because the function is an exponential growth from \(-\infty\).
05
Sketch the Graph
Plot the points: \((0,1)\), \((1, \frac{5}{2})\), \((-1, \frac{2}{5})\). Connect these points with a smooth curve that becomes very close to the x-axis as \(x\) decreases and rises sharply as \(x\) increases, illustrating exponential growth.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Growth
In mathematics, exponential growth describes a process where quantities increase rapidly at a constant rate relative to their current value. The function given as an example, \( f(x) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^x \), shows exponential growth. This is because the base \( \frac{5}{2} \) is greater than 1, leading to increases as \( x \) becomes more positive.
The exponential growth factor in this problem is evident when analyzing the rewritten form of the original function. With exponential growth, as \( x \) increases, \( f(x) \) grows without bound.
- For instance, when \( x = 1 \), \( f(1) = \frac{5}{2} \).
- When \( x = 2 \), \( f(2) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{25}{4} \).
The exponential growth factor in this problem is evident when analyzing the rewritten form of the original function. With exponential growth, as \( x \) increases, \( f(x) \) grows without bound.
Graph Sketching
Graph sketching involves plotting key points and understanding the behavior of a function to visually represent it accurately. It includes identifying important attributes such as growth or decay, intercepts, and asymptotes.
- First, identify key points where the function is evaluated, such as \( (0,1) \), \( (1, \frac{5}{2}) \), and \( (-1, \frac{2}{5}) \).
- Plot these points on a coordinate plane.
- The shape of the graph for \( f(x) = \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^x \) reflects exponential growth. It starts near the x-axis and curves sharply upwards as \( x \) increases.
Exponential Decay
Exponential decay is characterized by a decrease in quantities at a rate proportional to their current value. The initial function \( f(x) = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^{-x} \) indicates that the negative exponent turns the traditional decay into growth.
- This transformation involves converting the base and negating the exponent, transforming \( \frac{2}{5} \) decay to \( \frac{5}{2} \) growth.
- It is the inverse operation of growth, where as \( x \) goes negative, \( f(x) \) approaches zero.
Asymptotes
Asymptotes are lines that a graph approaches but never touches. For the given function, the key asymptote is the horizontal asymptote at \( y = 0 \). This can be observed when values of \( x \) become very large negatively, where the function seems to "flatten out" near the x-axis.
- The graph approaches \( y = 0 \) for both decay and growth; however, in exponential growth, it moves away rapidly as \( x \) increases.
- The asymptotic behavior is a crucial feature that gives insight into the end-behavior of exponential functions.