6.

1
The Exponential Function
and Its Inverse
Exponential functions are useful for describing
relationships. If the growth of a population is
proportional to the size of the population as it
grows, we describe the growth as exponential.
Bacterial growth and compound interest are
examples of exponential growth. Exponential
decay occurs in nuclear reactions and in the
depreciation in value of vehicles or equipment.

How can the inverse of an exponential function

be found, and why is it useful? Graphing
technology is useful for exploring the nature
of the inverse of an exponential function.
Applications of the inverse of an exponential
function will appear throughout this chapter.

Investigate 1 What is the nature of the rate of change of an exponential function?

Tools A: Numerical Analysis: Average Rate of Change

• computer with The Geometer’s 1. a) Copy and complete the table of values for the function y  2x. Leave
Sketchpad
®
• graphing calculator (optional)
room for three more columns.

• grid paper x y
0 1
1 2
2
3
4
5
6

b) Describe any patterns you see in the values of y as x increases.

310 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 2. a) Calculate values for Δ1y, the first differences, and record them in the Technology Tip s
third column. You can determine first differences
with a graphing calculator:
x y 1y 2y 3 y
Enter the values for x and y into
0 1 L1 and L2 of the List Editor.
1 2

5
Place the cursor on L3 in the
6 table and press O o
for [LIST].
b) Explain how these values confirm your answer to step 1b). From the OPS menu, choose
7:List( and type O 2 for
3. a) Compare the pattern of values for y and Δ1y. Explain what you notice.
[L2] and then a closing bracket.
b) Predict the pattern of values for the second differences, Δ2y, of this Press e.
function.
c) Calculate the second differences and record them in the fourth column
of the table. Was your prediction correct? Explain.
4. Predict the values for the third differences, Δ3y, and justify your prediction
with mathematical reasoning. Test your prediction and enter these values
in the last column.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 for the function y  3x.
6. R e f l e c t What do these results illustrate about the rate of change of an
exponential function?

B: Graphical Analysis: Comparing Average and Instantaneous

Rates of Change
1. Open The Geometer’s
Sketchpad® and begin
a new sketch.
2. a) Plot the function y  2x.
b) Construct two points on
the graph and label them
A and B.
c) Construct a secant through
A and B and measure
its slope.
Technology Tip s
For instructions on how to plot a function
and perform other basic functions using
The Geometer’s Sketchpad , refer to the
®
Technology Appendix on page 505.

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 311

 3. a) Click and drag the points so that A is at x  0 and B is at x  1.

b) What is the average slope of the curve for the interval [0, 1], correct to
one decimal place?
c) How is the average slope related to the first of the first differences you
found in part A of this Investigate?
4. a) Drag point B until it is very close to A, first to the left, and then to
the right, so that the line through A and B approximates a tangent
to the curve at x  0. Note the slope in each case and estimate the
instantaneous rate of change when x  0, correct to one decimal place.
b) Move both points very close to where x  1 and estimate the
instantaneous rate of change when x  1, correct to one decimal place.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for several points on the graph. Use whole-number
values of x. Record all your results in a table like this one.

Interval Average Rate of Instantaneous Rate Instantaneous Rate

A B Change, mAB of Change at A, mA of Change at B, mB

x0 x1

x1 x2

x2 x3

x3 x4

x4 x5

6. R e f l e c t Compare the average rates of change to the first differences

you found in part A of this Investigate. What do you notice? Explain this
relationship.
7. a) How are consecutive values of the instantaneous rate of change, mA
and mB, related to each other in each case?

312 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 b) Use linear interpolation (averaging) to estimate the instantaneous rate
of change at x  _1 . Do you think this value is correct? Explain why
2
or why not.
c) Drag A and B close to where x  _ 1 and check your estimate. Was your
2
estimate correct? If not, explain why not.
8. R e f l e c t Explain how the results of step 7 illustrate that an exponential
function has an instantaneous rate of change that is proportional to the
function itself (i.e., also exponential).
9. Do these results hold true for different bases?
x
a) Explore this question for exponential functions, y  b ,
i) with other values of b  1
ii) with values of b, where 0  b  1
b) R e f l e c t Write a summary of your findings.

Example 1 Write an Equation to Fit Data

Write an equation to fit the x y
data in the table of values. 0 1
1 4
2 16
3 64

Solution
x y 1y
Calculate Δ1y to determine 0 1
if the data represent an 1 4 3
exponential function.
2 16 12
3 64 48

Because y is increasing at a rate proportional to the function, the function CONNECTIONS

is exponential. The first differences are
x
Consider the equation y  b . Substitute the given values into this equation proportional to successive
to find b. y-values because their ratios
are equal. i.e.
1  b0 This statement is true for any value of b.
_4 3 16 12
4  b1  _ and _  _
16 12 64 48
41  b1
4b The only valid value for b is 4.
Check the other values in the table to make sure 4 is the correct value for b.
16  b2
42  b2
64  b3
43  b3
x
An equation for a function that fits the data in the table is y  4 .

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 313

 Investigate 2
Tools
• computer with The Geometer’s
Sketchpad
®
• grid paper
CONNECTIONS
The abscissa and ordinate
are the x-coordinate and
y-coordinate, respectively,
of an ordered pair. For example,
in (1, 5), the abscissa is 1
and the ordinate is 5.
314 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6
What is the nature of the inverse of an exponential function?
1. Begin a new sketch with The Geometer’s Sketchpad®.
2. a) Plot the function y  2x.
b) Identify the key features of the graph.
i)domain and range
ii)x-intercept, if it exists
iii)y-intercept, if it exists
iv) intervals for which the function is positive and intervals for which it
is negative
v) intervals for which the function is increasing and intervals for which
it is decreasing
vi) equation of the asymptote
x
3. a) Use the key features to sketch a graph of the function y  2 in your
notebook.
b) Draw the line y  x on the same graph. Explain how you can use this
y
line to sketch a graph of the inverse, x  2 .
c) Sketch a graph of the inverse function.
d) Verify that your sketch is accurate by comparing points on the two
graphs. The x-coordinates and y-coordinates should be switched.
4. Use The Geometer’s Sketchpad® to verify your sketch by tracing the
inverse of y  2x as follows.
• Select the graph of f(x). From the Construct menu, choose Point On
Function Plot.
• Select the constructed point. From the Measure menu, choose
Abcissa (x). Repeat to measure Ordinate (y).
• Select the Ordinate (y) measure followed by the Abcissa (x) measure.
From the Graph menu, choose Plot as (x, y).
• Select the image point that appears. From the Display menu, choose
Trace Plotted Point.
• Click and drag the original constructed point on y  2x along the graph
of f(x) until a smooth curve is traced out.
5. a) Describe the shape of the pattern of points that appears.
b) Identify the key features of the inverse graph.
i)domain and range
ii)x-intercept, if it exists
iii)y-intercept, if it exists
iv) intervals for which the function is positive and intervals for which it
is negative
v) intervals for which the function is increasing and intervals for which
it is decreasing
vi) equation of the asymptote
6. a) Copy and complete the table of values.

Calculation Inverse
x y
2x  y (y, x)

4
1
24  _
16
1
_
16 (_1
16
, 4)

3 23  ?

2

1

b) Verify that each ordered pair in the fourth column of the table is on
your graph of the inverse function.
7. R e f l e c t
a) How are the two graphs related?
b) When the image point was constructed from the constructed point
on the graph of y  2x, why were the coordinates chosen in the
order (y, x)?
8. a) Using graphing technology, explore the effect of changing the base
of the function y  bx for values of b for
i) b  1
ii) 0  b  1
b) R e f l e c t Describe what happens to the graphs of the function and
its inverse in each case.

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 315

 Example 2 Graphing an Inverse Function
Consider the function f(x)  4x.
a) Identify the key features of the function.
i) domain and range
ii) x-intercept, if it exists
iii) y-intercept, if it exists
iv) intervals for which the function is positive and intervals for which it
is negative
v) intervals for which the function is increasing and intervals for which
it is decreasing
vi) equation of the asymptote
b) Sketch a graph of the function.
c) On the same set of axes, sketch a graph of the inverse of the function.
d) Identify the key features, as in part a) i) to vi), of the inverse of the
function.

Solution
a) i) domain {x ∈ ⺢}; range {y ∈ ⺢, y > 0}
ii) no x-intercepts
iii) y-intercept 1
iv) positive for all values of x
v) increasing for all intervals
vi) horizontal asymptote with equation y  0; no vertical asymptote
b), c) y
y  4x
4

4 2 0 2 4 x

2
x  4y
4

d) i) domain {x ∈ ⺢, x  0}; range {y ∈ ⺢}

ii) x-intercept 1
iii) no y-intercepts
iv) positive for x  1 and negative for x  1
v) increasing for all intervals
vi) vertical asymptote with equation x  0; no horizontal asymptote

316 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

< KEY CONCEPTS
>
An exponential function of the form y  bx, b  0, b 苷 1, has
• a repeating pattern of finite differences
• a rate of change that is increasing proportional to the function for b  1
• a rate of change that is decreasing proportional to the function for
0b1
x
An exponential function of the form y  b , b  0, b 苷 1,
• has domain {x ∈ ⺢}
• has range {y ∈ ⺢, y  0}
• has y-intercept 1
• has horizontal asymptote at y  0
y y
x
yb ,b1
x
yb ,0b1

0 x 0 x

• is increasing on its • is decreasing on its domain

domain when b  1 when 0  b  1
x y
The inverse of y  b is a function that can be written as x  b .
This function
• has domain {x ∈ ⺢, x  0}
• has range {y ∈ ⺢}
• has x-intercept 1
• has vertical asymptote at x  0
x
• is a reflection of y  b about the line y  x

y y
x
yb ,b1

y  bx, 0  b  1

0 x 0 x
x  by xb y

• is increasing on its domain • is decreasing on its domain

when b  1 when 0  b  1

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 317

 Communicate Your Understanding
C1 Explain how you can recognize whether or not a function is exponential
by examining its
a) finite differences
b) graph
C2 Is the inverse of y  2x a function? Explain your answer using
a) algebraic reasoning
b) graphical reasoning
C3 Consider the function y  2x and its inverse. Describe the ways in which
they are
a) alike
b) different
x
C4 a) What happens to the shape of the graph of f(x)  b when b  1?
b) What happens to the shape of its inverse?
c) Explain why this happens.

A Practise
For help with questions 1 and 2, refer to D x y
Investigate 1, part A.
3 27
1. Which of the following functions are exponential?
Explain how you can tell.
2 9
A x y
1 3 1 3
2 6
0 1
3 9
4 12 1
_
1
3
B x y
2. Refer to question 1. For the exponential
0 0 functions that you identified, write an equation
1 1 to fit the data.
2 3
For help with questions 3 and 4, refer to
3 10
Investigate 1, part B.
4 16 x
3. a) Use Technology Graph the function y  1.5
C over the domain 0  x  6 using graphing
x y
technology.
0 1
b) Determine the average rate of change of y
1 3
with respect to x for each interval.
2 9
i) x  1 to x  2
3 27
ii) x  2 to x  3
4 81 iii) x  3 to x  4
iv) x  4 to x  5

318 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 c) Estimate the instantaneous rate of change of 7. Match each equation to its corresponding graph.

()
x
y with respect to x at each of the endpoints 1
i) y  5x ii) y  _
in part b). 2

iv) y  ( _
5)
x
d) Describe how these rates are changing over 1
iii) y  2x
the given domain.

()
x
4. Repeat question 3 for the function y  _ 1 y
a)
2
over the domain 4  x  2. 4
For part b) use the following intervals.
i) x  3 to x  2 2

ii) x  2 to x  1
4 2 0 2 4 x
iii) x  1 to x  0
iv) x  0 to x  1 2

For help with questions 5 to 8, refer to Investigate 2. 4

5. a) Copy the graph.

y b) y

8 4

6 2

4
4 2 0 2 4 x
2 2

x 4
4 2 0 2 4

b) Write an equation for this exponential c) y

function. 4
c) Graph the line y  x on the same grid.
2
d) Sketch a graph of the inverse of the function
by reflecting its graph in the line y  x. 4 2 0 2 4 x

6. a) Copy the graph. 2

y 4
8

6 d) y

4 4

2 2

x 4 2 0 2 4 x
4 2 0 2 4
2

b) Write an equation for this function. 4

c) Graph the line y  x on the same grid.
d) Sketch a graph of the inverse of the function
by reflecting its graph in the line y  x.

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 319

 8. Tell which graph from question 7 each graph c) y
below is the inverse of. 4
a) y
2
4

0 2 4 6 8 x
2
2
0 2 4 6 8 x
4
2

4
d) y

4
b) y
2
4

0 2 4 6 8 x
2
2
0 2 4 6 8 x
4
2

4

B Connect and Apply

9. Consider the functions f(x)  3x, g(x)  x3, b) Graph the function. Does it appear to be
and h(x)  3x. exponential? Explain your answer.
a) Graph each function. c) Determine the average rate of change
b) Make a list of the key features for each between day 1 and day 2.
function, as in Investigate 2, step 2 b). d) Estimate the instantaneous rate of
Organize the information in a table. change after
c) Identify key features that are common to i) 1 day ii) 2 days
each function. e) Explain why the answers to parts c) and d)
d) Identify key features that are different for are different.

()
x
each function. 1 to
Use the functions f(x)  4 and g(x)  _
x

e) How do the instantaneous rates of change 2

compare for these three functions?
10. An influenza virus is spreading through a
school according to the function N  10(2)t,
where N is the number of people infected and
t is the time, in days.
a) How many people have the virus at each time?
answer questions 11 to 18.
11. a) Sketch a graph of f.
b) Graph the line y  x on the same grid.
c) Sketch the inverse of f on the same grid by
reflecting f in the line y  x.
12. Identify the key features of f.

i) initially, when t  0 ii) after 1 day a) domain and range

iii) after 2 days iv) after 3 days b) x-intercept, if it exists

c) y-intercept, if it exists

320 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6

 d) intervals for which the function is positive 20. Write an equation for the inverse of the
and intervals for which it is negative function shown.
e) intervals for which the function is increasing y
and intervals for which it is decreasing
4
y
f) equation of the asymptote
冢10冣
1
x
2
13. Repeat question 12 for the inverse of f.
14. a) Sketch a graph of the function g. 0 2 4 6 8 10 x

b) Graph the line y  x on the same grid. 2

c) Sketch the inverse of g on the same grid by 4

reflecting g in the line y  x.
15. Identify the key features of g.
21. Consider the equation f(x)  (2)x.
a) domain and range
a) Copy and complete the table of values.
b) x-intercept, if it exists
x y
c) y-intercept, if it exists
0
d) intervals for which the function is positive
1
and intervals for which it is negative
2
e) intervals for which the function is increasing
3
and intervals for which it is decreasing
4
f) equation of the asymptote
16. Repeat question 15 for the inverse of g. b) Graph the ordered pairs.
c) Do the points form a smooth curve? Explain.
17. Compare the graphs of Reasoning and Proving

f and g. Describe how Representing Selecting Tools d) Use technology to try to evaluate
they are Problem Solving i) f (0.5) ii) f (2.5)
a) alike Connecting Reflecting Use numerical reasoning to explain why
Communicating
b) different these values are undefined.
e) Use these results to explain why exponential
18. Repeat question 17 for f1 and g1.
functions are defined only for functions
19. a) Copy the graph. with positive bases.
y 22. Chapter Problem A spaceship approaches
4 Planet X and the planet’s force of gravity starts
to pull the ship in. To prevent a crash, the crew
2 x  6y must engage the thrusters when the ship is
exactly 100 km from the planet. The distance
0 2 4 6 8 x
away from the planet can be modelled by the
2 function d(t)  (1.4)t, where d represents the
distance, in hundreds of kilometres, between
4
the ship and the planet and t represents the
time, in seconds.
b) Graph the line y  x on the same grid. a) What is the ship’s average velocity between
c) Graph the inverse of this function by 1 s and 2 s? between 3 s and 4 s?
reflecting it in the line y  x. b) What is the ship’s instantaneous velocity at
d) Write an equation for the inverse function. 3 s? at 4 s?

6.1 The Exponential Function and Its Inverse • MHR 321

 C Extend and Challenge
x
23. a) For the graph of any function f(x)  b and Technology Tip s
its inverse, describe the points where the To graph a function using a parameter, choose Plot New Function from
x-coordinates and y-coordinates are equal. the Graph menu, and double-click on the parameter b to change its
Explain how the functions relate to the line value when the Edit Parameter Value box appears.
y  x at these points.
b) Does your answer to part a) differ when
b  1 versus when 0  b  1?
24. Use Technology Open The Geometer’s
Sketchpad® and begin a new sketch.
a) From the Graph menu, choose New Parameter.
Call the parameter b and set its initial value
to 2.
x
b) Plot the function f(x)  b . Explore the
shape of this graph and its inverse, using
different values of b.
The parameter b can be adjusted manually either by right-clicking on it
c) For which values of b is f and choosing Edit Parameter or by selecting it and pressing  or .
i) a function? The parameter b can be adjusted dynamically by right-clicking on it
ii) undefined? and choosing the Animate Parameter feature. This will enable the
Motion Controller.
d) For which values of b is the inverse of f
You can graph the inverse by following these steps:
i) a function?
• From the Graph menu, choose New Function.
ii) undefined? • From the Equation menu, choose x  f(y).
e) Are the answers to parts c) and d) the same? • Then, select parameter b and type ^y and click on OK.
Explain. • From the Graph menu, choose Plot Function.

CAREER CONNECTION
Andre completed a 4-year bachelor of science
degree in nuclear medicine at the Michener
Institute for Applied Health Sciences. He now
works in a hospital as a nuclear medicine
technologist. After administering a dose of a
<<P6-8: photo of
radiopharmaceutical to a patient, he monitors Andre, African male
the spread of the radioactive drug with a gamma with a white lab
scintillation camera. Andre saves the images on coat on>>
a computer. They will later be interpreted by
a doctor. It is critical that Andre decide on the
correct radioactive material to use, as well as
calculating and preparing the proper dosage.

322 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 6