Lesson 4 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the learner is expected to:
1. Distinguish exponential expression, exponential equation, exponential inequality and
exponential function.
2. Solve exponential equation and exponential inequality.
3. Graph an exponential function and their transformations.

4.1. Definitions

The following are the formal definitions of the terms that we will be using for this chapter.

1. Exponential Expression is an expression of the form 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 𝑥−𝑐 + 𝑑, where 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1.

1 2𝑥−3 3
Hb. 5𝑥+2 (2) 3𝑥

2. Exponential Equation is an equation involving exponential expressions.

2 1 2
Hb. 72𝑥−𝑥 = 343 4 𝑥 = 23 32−𝑥 = 9𝑥+5

3. Exponential Inequality is an inequality involving exponential expressions.

1 𝑥−1 1
Hb. 2𝑥+2 ≤ 8 52𝑥 − 5𝑥+1 ≤ 0 (3) > 9

4. Exponential Function is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 or 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 , where 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1.

4 𝑥 1 𝑥
Hb. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = (3) 𝑔(𝑥) = (2)

Remarks: If the exponential function has a base 𝑒 ≅ 2.71828, it is called as natural exponential
function.

4.2. Solving Exponential Equation

Some exponential equations can be solved using the fact that exponential functions are one-to-
one. The one-to-one property of exponential function states that if 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 , then 𝑏 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑏 𝑥2 .
Conversely, if 𝑏 𝑥1 = 𝑏 𝑥2 then 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 .

One strategy that we can use in solving exponential equation is to write both sides of the equation
as powers of the same base.

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Consider the following examples.

Hb.1. Solve the for the value/s of 𝑥: 4𝑥−1 = 16.

Solution:
Writing both sides as powers of the same base, we will have:

4𝑥−1 = 16
4𝑥−1 = 42

Applying the one-to-one property of exponential function, we will have:

𝑥−1=2
𝑥 =2+1
𝒙=𝟑

Therefore, 𝒙 = 𝟑.

Hb.2. Solve for the value/s of 𝑥: 125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3 .

Solution:

Notice that we can both 125 and 25 can be written using 5 as the base.

125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3
(53 )𝑥−1 = (52 )𝑥+3
53𝑥−3 = 52𝑥+6

Applying the one-to-one property of exponential function, we will have:

3𝑥 − 3 = 2𝑥 + 6
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 6 + 3
𝒙=𝟗

Therefore, 𝒙 = 𝟗.

2
Hb.3. Solve for the values of 𝑥: 9𝑥 = 3𝑥+3 .

Solution:

Writing both sides of the equation using base 3,

2
9𝑥 = 3𝑥+3
2
(32 )𝑥 = 3𝑥+3
2
32𝑥 = 3𝑥+3

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Applying the one-to-one property of exponential function, we will have:

2𝑥 2 = 𝑥 + 3
2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 3 = 0
(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
2𝑥 − 3 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 + 1 = 0
𝟑
𝒙 = 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = −𝟏
𝟐
𝟑
Therefore, 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = −𝟏.

2 −3𝑥
Hb. 4. Solve for the value/s of 𝑥: 2𝑥 = 16.

Solution:

Writing both sides of the equation with base 2, we will have:

2
2𝑥 −3𝑥 = 16
2
2𝑥 −3𝑥 = 24

Applying the one-to-one property of exponential function, we will have:

𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 = 4
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 = 0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑥 − 4 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 + 1 = 0
𝒙=𝟒 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = −𝟏

4.3. Solving Exponential Inequalities

In solving exponential inequalities, it is also important to write both sides of the inequality with the
same base then apply the one-to-one property of exponential function. If the base of the inequality
is greater than 1 (𝑏 > 1), then the direction of the inequality symbol will retain. But if the base of
the inequality is less than 1 but greater than 0 (0 < 𝑏 < 1), then the direction of the inequality
symbol will reverse.

Hb. 1. Solve for the values of 𝑥: 3𝑥 < 9𝑥−2 .

Solution:

Writing both sides of the inequality as same base, we will have:

3𝑥 < 9𝑥−2
3𝑥 < (32 )𝑥−2
3𝑥 < 32𝑥−4

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Since the base is 3 (greater than 1), then the direction of the inequality symbol will retain.

𝑥 < 2𝑥 − 4
𝑥 − 2𝑥 < −4
−𝑥 < −4
𝒙>𝟒

Therefore, the solution set is (𝟒, ∞+ ).

1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
Hb. 2. Solve the inequality (10) ≥ (100) .

Solution:

1 1 2 1
Since 100 = (10) , then write both sides of the inequality with 10 as the base.

1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
( ) ≥( )
10 100
3𝑥
1 𝑥+5 1 2
( ) ≥ (( ) )
10 10
𝑥+5
1 1 6𝑥
( ) ≥ ( )
10 10
1
Since the base is 10 (which is less than 1), then the direction of the inequality will reverse.

𝑥 + 5 ≤ 6𝑥
5 ≤ 6𝑥 − 𝑥
5 ≤ 5𝑥
𝟏≤𝒙

Therefore, the solution set is [𝟏, ∞+ ).

2 −3
Hb. 3. Solve for the inequality 2𝑥 ≥ 8𝑥−1 .

Solution:

Writing both sides of the inequality with base 2, we will have:

2
2𝑥 −3 ≥ 8𝑥−1
2
2𝑥 −3 ≥ (23 )𝑥−1
2
2𝑥 −3 ≥ 23𝑥−3

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Since the base is 2 (which is greater than 1), the direction of the inequality will retain.

𝑥 2 − 3 ≥ 3𝑥 − 3
𝑥 2 − 3 − 3𝑥 + 3 ≥ 0
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 ≥ 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 3) ≥ 0

Remarks: Since the product of 𝑥 and 𝑥 − 3 must be greater than or equal to 0, then the product
must be positive. Therefore, 𝑥 and 𝑥 − 3 must be both positive or must be both negative. We will
have:

𝑥 ≥ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 − 3 ≥ 0 𝑥 ≤ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 − 3 ≤ 0
𝑥 ≥ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≥ 3 𝑥 ≤ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≤ 3

For both positive, the solution is 𝑥 ≥ 3. For both negative, the solution is 𝑥 ≤ 0.

𝟐 −𝟑
Therefore, the exponential inequality 𝟐𝒙 ≥ 𝟖𝒙−𝟏 is true only when 𝒙 ≤ 𝟎 or 𝒙 ≥ 𝟑.

Properties of Exponential Inequalities.

(𝑖) If 𝑏 > 1, then the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 is increasing for all 𝑥. This means that 𝑏 𝑥 < 𝑏 𝑦
if and only if 𝑥 < 𝑦.
(𝑖𝑖) If 0 < 𝑏 < 1, then the exponential function𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing for all 𝑥. This means that 𝑏 𝑥 >
𝑏 𝑦 if and only if 𝑥 < 𝑦.

4.4. Graphing Exponential Functions

Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 .

To sketch the graph of this function, we need to construct a table of values of ordered pairs for
the given function.

𝒙 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

1 1 1
𝒚 1 2 4 8
8 4 2

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Plotting these points in our cartesian plane:

Figure 1. Graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥

1 𝑥
Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) = (2) .

To sketch the graph of this function, we need to construct a table of values of ordered pairs for
the given function.

𝒙 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

1 1 1
𝒚 8 4 2 1
2 4 8

Plotting these points in our cartesian plane:

1
Figure 2. Graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = (2)𝑥

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From these two examples, we can observe the following regarding the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 .
(𝑖) Whenever 𝑏 > 1, the values of 𝑦 increases as 𝑥 increases.
(𝑖𝑖) Whenever 0 < 𝑏 < 1,the values of 𝑦 decreases as 𝑥 increases.

In general, we can conclude that the graph of our exponential function behaves depending on the
base of the function.

Figure 3. Figure 4.
Behavior of the 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 whenever Behavior of the 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 whenever
0 < 𝑏 < 1. 𝑏 > 1.

Properties of Exponential Functions

The following properties of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 , where 𝑏 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 > 1, can be observed from the graph:
1. The domain is the set of real numbers {ℝ}.
2. The range is the set (0, ∞+).
3. It is a one-to-one function.
4. The 𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 is 1.
5. There is no 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡.
6. The horizontal asymptote is 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 or 𝑦 = 0.
7. There is no vertical asymptote.

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