In this video, we are going to look at graphs of exponential functions. After you finish this lesson, view all of our Algebra 1 lessons and practice problems.

Example of an Exponential Function Graph

The graph of

y=2^x

grows steeper in a positive direction as x values increase after plotting points as shown in the video.

The graph of

y=-(2)^x

grows steeper in a negative direction as x values increase after plotting points, and is a reflection over the x-axis of the first graph.

The graph of

y=(\frac{1}{2})^x

grows steeper at a slower rate as x values increase after plotting points, and is a reflection over the y-axis of y=2^x

 

Graphs of Exponential Functions

Example of Graphs of Exponential Functions

Example 1

y = 2 \times 5^{x}

When x = -2 then y = \dfrac{2}{25},

x = -1 then y = \dfrac{2}{5},

x = 0 then y = 2,

and x = 1 then y = 10

The graph will be:

Example 2

y = -3^{x+1}

When x = -2 then y = \dfrac{-1}{3},

x = -1 then y = -1,

x = 0 then y = -3,

and x = 1 then y = -9

The graph will be:

Video-Lesson Transcript

Let’s go over graphs of exponential functions.

First of all, what is an exponential function?

Exponential function has a form of

y = a \times b^x

Something that should stand out is that x is any exponent. And a and b are constant.

Let’s first look at functions that a = 1.

So, we’ll solve for b and x.

For demonstration purposes, let’s have

y = 2^x

Let’s look at some specific ones.

When x = -2 then y = \dfrac{1}{4},
x = -1 then y = \dfrac{1}{2},
x = 0 then y = 1,
x = 1 then y = 2,
x = 2 then y = 4,
and x = 3 then y = 8.

The thing I want to point out is when x = 0 then y = 1.

When we graph the positive exponent, it will not be a straight line. It increases at a much higher rate. It even curves up drastically.

When we graph the negative exponents, it will curve but will not touch the x-axis.

Because even if the exponent is negative, it just changes to a fraction and not a negative number.

So this is the basic graph of an exponential fraction.

This is y = 2^x.

Let’s look at the graph of y = 3^x.

Let us have the same points here.

Let’s start with x = 0 then y = 1.

When x = -2 then y = \dfrac{1}{9},
x = -1 then y = \dfrac{1}{3},
x = 0 then y = 1,
x = 1 then y = 3,
x = 2 then y = 9,
and x = 3 then y = 27.

This one is very steep on the positive exponents and very low on the negative exponents.

But still won’t touch the x-axis.

Let’s graph y = -(2)^x.

Let me change the x values a little bit.

Again let’s start with x = 0. y = -1

When x = 1 then y = -2,
when x = 2 then y = -4,
and when x = 3 then y = -8.

If you look at it, it’s a mirror image of our first example.

When x = -1 then y = - \dfrac{1}{2},
when x = -2 then y = - \dfrac{1}{4},
and x = -3 then y = - \dfrac{1}{8}.

It will be very close to the x-axis.

The negative will be reflected in the x-axis.

Let’s look at another one.

Let’s have y = (\dfrac{1}{2})^x

So let’s start with x = 0 again, y = 1 because any number raised to the power of 0 is 1.

When x = 1 then y = \dfrac{1}{2},
when x = 2 then y = \dfrac{1}{4},
and when x = 3 then y = \dfrac{1}{8}.

Let’s go backward.

When x = -1 then y = 2,
when x = -2 then y = 4,
and when x = -3 then y = 8.

Now let’s graph this.

Compared to the first example, this graph is reflected in the y-axis.

Think about this.

We have a constant that’s greater than 1 raised to an exponent.

It will constantly raise on one side if the exponent is greater than 0. Since you’re multiplying it by itself over and over again.

Whereas with the other one, we have a fraction. Which is less than one and raised to an exponent.

When multiplied by itself, it becomes smaller.

If you have a base that’s greater than 1, you will have a line that will grow rapidly.

But if you have a base that’s less than 1 but still positive, it’s going to decrease or decay.