For ƒ(x) = 3x and g(x)= (1/4)x find each of the following. Round answers to the nearest thousandth as needed. g(-1.68)
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- 2. Graphs of Equations1h 43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 5m
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- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
Introduction to Exponential Functions
Problem 35
Textbook Question
Graph each function. ƒ(x) = 4-x
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the base of the exponential function. Here, the function is given as \(f(x) = 4^{-x}\), where the base is 4 and the exponent is \(-x\).
Rewrite the function to better understand its behavior. Recall that \(a^{-x} = \frac{1}{a^x}\), so \(f(x) = 4^{-x}\) can be rewritten as \(f(x) = \frac{1}{4^x}\).
Determine key points to plot by substituting values of \(x\) such as \(-2\), \(-1\), \$0\(, \)1\(, and \)2\( into the function \)f(x) = \frac{1}{4^x}\(. Calculate the corresponding \)y$ values (without final numeric evaluation here).
Analyze the behavior of the graph: since the base 4 is greater than 1 and the exponent is negative, the function represents exponential decay. The graph will approach zero as \(x\) increases and grow larger as \(x\) decreases.
Sketch the graph using the points found and the behavior analysis. Remember to include the horizontal asymptote at \(y=0\), since exponential functions of this form never touch the x-axis.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Exponential Functions
An exponential function has the form f(x) = a^x, where the base a is a positive constant. These functions model rapid growth or decay depending on the base and the exponent's sign. Understanding the behavior of exponential functions is essential for graphing them accurately.
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Negative Exponents
A negative exponent indicates the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive exponent, i.e., a^{-x} = 1 / a^x. This concept helps in rewriting and understanding functions like f(x) = 4^{-x}, which reflects the graph of 4^x across the y-axis.
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Zero and Negative Rules
Graphing Transformations
Graphing transformations involve shifting, reflecting, stretching, or compressing the graph of a function. For f(x) = 4^{-x}, the negative exponent causes a reflection of the basic exponential graph f(x) = 4^x across the y-axis, changing its growth to decay.
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