Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.

7.1 – EXPLORING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Exponential Function (Increasing)

An exponential function is a function of the form y = a ⋅ b x , where a ≠ 0 and b > 1 .

Investigate the Characteristics of the Graphs of Exponential Functions (Increasing)

Example 1: Graph each exponential function. Determine the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, the end
behaviour, the domain, and the range.

a. f ( x) = 10 x

X f(x)
–3
–2

–1
0

1
2
3

number of x-intercepts: y-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

b. g ( x ) = 2(5) x

x f(x)
–3
–2

–1
0
1

2
3

number of x-intercepts: y-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.1

Exponential Function (Decreasing)

An exponential function is a function of the form y = a ⋅ b x , where a ≠ 0 and b < 1 .

Investigate the Characteristics of the Graphs of Exponential Functions (Decreasing)

Example 2: Graph each exponential function. Determine the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, the end
behaviour, the domain, and the range.
x
1
a. h( x ) =
2
x f(x)
–3

–2
–1
0

1
2

number of x-intercepts: y-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

x
1
b. j ( x) = 8
4
X f(x)
–3
–2

–1
0
1

2
3

number of x-intercepts: y-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

Assignment: p. 439 #1 – 3
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.2

7.2 – RELATING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION TO ITS EQUATION

Connect the Characteristics of an Increasing Exponential Function to Its Equation and Graph
Example 1: State the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, end behaviour, domain, and range for each function,
without graphing the function. Predict whether the function is increasing or decreasing. Verify your
answers by graphing.

a. f ( x ) = 2(5) x

b. f ( x) = e x
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.2

Connect the Characteristics of a Decreasing Exponential Function to Its Equation and Graph
Example 2: State the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, end behaviour, domain, and range for each function,
without graphing the function. Predict whether the function is increasing or decreasing.
Verify your answers by graphing.

number of end increasing or

y-intercept domain range
x-intercepts behaviour decreasing

f ( x) = 125(0.78) x

f ( x) = 0.12(0.85) x

f ( x) = 3x

f ( x) = 0.85(5) x

Try: State the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, end behaviour, domain, and range for each function, without
graphing the function. Predict whether the function is increasing or decreasing.
Verify your answers by graphing.

number of end increasing or

y-intercept domain range
x-intercepts behaviour decreasing

x
2
f ( x) = 9
3

x
3
f ( x) = 8
4
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.2

Assignment: p. 448 #1, 2, 5 – 7, 9, 13

Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.3

7.3 – MODELLING DATA USING EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

You can graph the scatter plot and interpolate using Technology (TI 83).

Create Graphical and Algebraic Models of Given Data

Example 1: Simon, a biologist, is investigating a new bacteria culture which could help strengthen a person's
immune system. He isolates fifty cells and records the growth in the number of cells over a period of
five hours. His results are shown in the table and graph below.

Number of Hours Number of Bacteria

(x) (y)

0 50

1 75

2 112

3 169

4 253

5 380
a. Determine if the data can be represented by an exponential model.

b. Use regression to determine the exponential function that best models the data. Round a and b to three decimal
places.

c. Determine the numbers of bacteria, to the nearest whole number, when x = 8.

Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.3

Example 2: Angela invests $2000 in GIC that increases in value every 3 months. The table below shows the value
of the investment during the first 18 month.

Month (x) 0 3 6 9 12 15 18

Value in Dollars (y) $2000 $2012 $2024.07 $2036.22 $2048.43 $2060.72 $2073.09
a. Use regression to determine the exponential function that best models that data. Give a to the nearest whole
number, and b to the nearest thousandth.

b. Determine the value of the investment after two years.

Example 3: The following data represents the winning times, to the nearest minute, for the men's Olympic Marathon
in some of the Olympics in the twentieth century.

Year (x) 1900 1912 1928 1936 1960 1972 1984

Time in Minutes (y) 180 157 153 149 135 132 129
a. Use regression to determine the exponential function that best models that data. Give a to the nearest whole
number, and b to the nearest thousandth.

b. Estimate the winning time by the Finnish Athlete in c. Estimate the winning time by the Czech Athlete in
the 1924 Olympics. the 1952 Olympics.

Try: The following data gives the population in a town over a period of fifty years.

Year (x) 1 11 21 31 41 51

Time in Minutes (y) 7045 22043 42812 54096 125032 206825

a. Use regression to determine the exponential function that best models that data. Give a to the nearest whole
number, and b to the nearest thousandth.

b. Estimate population after 35 years.

Assignment: p. 461 #1 – 11 (odds)

Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.4

7.4 – CHARACTERISTICS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS WITH BASE 10 AND BASE e

Logarithmic Function

A logarithmic function is a function of the form y = a logb x , where a ≠ 0 , b > 0 and b ≠ 1 .

Investigate the Characteristics of the Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

Example 1: Graph each logarithmic function. Determine the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, the end
behaviour, the domain, and the range.

a. f ( x) = log10 x

x f(x)
–1
0
1
2
3
4
5

number of y-intercepts: x-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

b. g ( x) = 2log10 x

x f(x)
–1
0
1
2
3
4
5

number of y-intercepts: x-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.4

c. h( x) = 5log10 x

x f(x)
–1
0
1
2
3
4
5

number of y-intercepts: x-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

d. i( x) = −5log10 x

x f(x)
–1
0
1
2
3
4
5

number of y-intercepts: x-intercept: domain:

range: end behaviour:

All logarithmic functions of the form f ( x) = a log x or f ( x) = a ln x have these unique characteristics:
• If a > 0, the function increases.
• If a < 0, the function decreases.
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.4

Connect the Characteristics of an Increasing Log Function to Its Equation and Graph
Example 2: Predict the x-intercept, the number of y-intercepts, the end behaviour, the domain, and the range of the
function y = 15log x.

Connect the Characteristics of a Decreasing Natural Log Function to Its Equation and Graph
Example 3: Predict the x-intercept, the number of y-intercepts, the end behaviour, the domain, and the range of the
function y = −4ln x.

Try: Predict the x-intercept, the number of y-intercepts, the end behaviour, the domain, and the range of this
function y = 12ln x.

Try: Predict the x-intercept, the number of y-intercepts, the end behaviour, the domain, and the range of this
function y = −5log x.
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.4

Match Equations of Exponential and Log Functions with Their Graphs

Example 4: Which exponential function matches each graph below? Provide your reasoning.

a. y = 5(2) x b. y = 2(0.1)2 c. y = 6 log x d. y = −2 ln x

Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.5

7.5 – MODELLING DATA USING LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

#9 LnReg

Use Log Regression to Solve a Problem Graphically and Algebraically

Example 1: The decay of radioactive elements can sometimes be used to date events from the earth's past. In a
living organism, the ratio of radioactive carbon, carbon-14, to ordinary carbon remains fairly constant.
However, when the organism dies, no new carbon is ingested and the proportion of carbon -14
decreases as it decays. The table below shows data for five recently discovered fossils.

% carbon-14 (x) 95 79 68 38 27
Age in years (y) 425 1950 3191 8000 10824

a. Determine if the data can be represented by a log model.

b. Use the natural log regression feature of a calculator (LnReg) to determine a function that models the data. Use
integer values for a and b.

c. A bone fragment was discovered. If the carbon dating test indicated that approximately 20.3% of carbon-14 was
left, estimate the age of the bone fragment to the nearest 1000 years.
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – 7.5

Example 2: The number of years, y, that it takes for an investment of $1000 to increase in value to x dollars can be
modelled by a log function. The table shows the value of Scott's investment over a period of 10 years.

Value (x) 1082 1170 1265 1369 1480

Years (y) 2 4 6 8 10

a. Use the natural log regression feature of a calculator (LnReg) to determine a function that models the data.
Round a and b to three decimal places.

b. Estimate the number of years if the value of investment is $1800.37.

Try: Martin is a fruit grower. He has planted and tracked the growth of a new variety of cherry tree he is considering
planting on 10 acres of his farm.

a. Determine the equation of the log regression function that models the tree's growth.

b. Determine the height of a tree of this variety when it is 15 years old.

c. Determine the age of a tree of this variety when it is 12 feet tall.

Foundations of Mathematics 12 – Chapter 7 Review

CHAPTER 7 REVIEW
1. Match each function with the corresponding graph below. Provide your reasoning.
a. y = 0.2(0.4) x b. y = 2(4) x
c. y = 0.5log x d. y = −2log x

2. The table to the right shows the Canadian government’s net debt, in billions of dollars.
a. Create graphical and algebraic exponential models for the data.

b. What was the approximate net federal debt in 1988, to the nearest
hundredth of a billion dollars?

c. Assuming the same growth rate, when did the net federal debt reach
$600 billion?

3. Predict the number of x-intercepts, the y-intercept, the end behaviour, the domain, and the range of
the function
x
1
f ( x) = 6
4
Use the equation of the function to make your predictions. Verify your predictions using graphing
technology.

x-intercept
y-intercept
end behaviour
domain
range
Foundations of Mathematics 12 – Chapter 7 Review

4. Use the characteristics below to describe the graph of this function:

y = −7ln x
• the location of any intercepts
• the end behaviour
• the domain and range
• whether the function is increasing or decreasing

x-intercept
y-intercept
end behaviour
domain
range

5. The table to the right shows the approximate energy, in kilojoules (kJ), that is released by earthquakes
of different magnitudes. In 1960, the Valdivia earthquake in Chile released approximately
1.1×1016 kJ of energy.
a. Determine the equation of the logarithmic regression function for the
given data.

b. Use the equation of the logarithmic regression function to determine

the magnitude of this earthquake to the nearest tenth.

Assignment: p. 504 #1 – 11