For exponential and logarithmic graph families, use \(a>0\), \(a\ne1\), and a nonzero scale \(k\). Logarithmic inputs must be positive.
Graphs of Exponential Functions in the form of \(y = ka^{x}\) |
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\(y = ka^{x}\) | \(k > 0\) | \(k < 0\) | Notes |
| \(a > 1\) | 
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| It is an exponential graph. \(x\) is the power in the function, \(y = ka^{x}\). The curve cuts the \(y\)-axis at \((0, k)\). The \(x\)-axis is the horizontal asymptote. For \(k > 0\), the graph increases rapidly as \(x\) increases. For \(k < 0\), the graph decreases rapidly as \(x\) increases.
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| \(0 < a < 1\) | 
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| It is an exponential graph. \(x\) is the power in the function, \(y = ka^{x}\). The curve cuts the \(y\)-axis at \((0, k)\). The \(x\)-axis is the horizontal asymptote. For \(k > 0\), the graph decreases gently as \(x\) increases. For \(k < 0\), the graph increases gently as \(x\) increases.
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Relationship among Graphs of Exponential Functions with Different Bases |
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| For exponential functions in the form of \(y = a^x\): For fixed \(x>0\), increasing \(a\) increases \(a^x\). For fixed \(x<0\), increasing \(a\) decreases \(a^x\). They all pass through the point \((0,1)\). They all have a horizontal asymptote as the \(x\)-axis.
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Graphs of Logarithmic Functions in the form of \(y = k \log_{a} x\) |
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\(y = k \log_{a} x\) | \(k > 0\) | \(k < 0\) | Notes |
| \(a > 1\) | 
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| It is a logarithmic graph. The curve cuts the \(x\)-axis at \((1, 0)\). The \(y\)-axis is the vertical asymptote. For \(k > 0\), the graph increases gently as \(x\) increases. For \(k < 0\), the graph decreases gently as \(x\) increases.
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| \(0 < a < 1\) | 
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| It is a logarithmic graph. The curve cuts the \(x\)-axis at \((1, 0)\). The \(y\)-axis is the vertical asymptote. For \(k > 0\), the graph decreases gently as \(x\) increases. For \(k < 0\), the graph increases gently as \(x\) increases.
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Relationship among Graphs of Logarithmic Functions with Different Bases |
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| For logarithmic functions in the form of \(y = \log_{a} x\) : For fixed \(x>1\), increasing \(a\) decreases \(\log_a x\), within either base interval \(0<a<1\) or \(a>1\). For fixed \(0<x<1\), increasing \(a\) increases \(\log_a x\), within either base interval. They all pass through the point \((1, 0)\) . They all have a vertical asymptote as the \(y\) -axis.
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Relationship between Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions with the Same Base |
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| For exponential and logarithmic functions in the forms of \(y = a^x\) and \(y = \log_a x\) : |