Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

IP 3

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 \(y = ka^{x}\)

\(y = ka^{x}\)

\(k > 0\)

\(k < 0\)

Notes

\(a > 1\)

  • 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.

\(0 < a < 1\)

  • 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.

Relationship among Graphs of Exponential Functions with Different Bases

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.

Graphs of Logarithmic Functions in the form of \(y = k \log_{a} x\)

\(y = k \log_{a} x\)

\(k > 0\)

\(k < 0\)

Notes

\(a > 1\)

  • 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.

\(0 < a < 1\)

  • 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.

Relationship among Graphs of Logarithmic Functions with Different Bases

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.

Relationship between Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions with the Same Base

For exponential and logarithmic functions in the forms of \(y = a^x\) and \(y = \log_a x\) :

  • Their graphs are symmetrical about the straight line \(y = x\).

  • The functions \(y = a^x\) and \(y = \log_a x\) are the inverse functions of each other.

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