How do you graph exponential functions? I'm really confused on how to solve them. Can you please help? For instance y = 4x. It looks so simple. But I'm so confused.

Question

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

one way to graph any function is to plot a series of points

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

to get any point, you plug in an x value to find a corresponding y value

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

so for instance, say x = 1

if x = 1, then 

y = 4^x

y = 4

which means the point (1,4) is on the curve

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

do this with enough x values and you get enough points 

with enough points, you can draw a curve through them all (the more points you have, the more accurate the graph is)

anonymous · Answer

So, I could plug in 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth until I have a line and I can plot it?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

it won't be a straight line though

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

$\large y = 4^x$ is NOT a straight line (it's a curve that bends upwards)

phi · Answer

two other factoids you need to remember:

$$ 4^0 = 1 $$
and 
$$ 4^{-m} = \frac{1}{4^m} $$
you need this one for negative x.   for example, when x=-2
$$ 4^{-2} = \frac{1}{4^2} =  \frac{1}{4\cdot 4}= \frac{1}{16}$$