Question

Is there a simple way to determine what a graph of an exponential function should look like before working the problem?

Answer 1

It depends. What type of math is it?

Answer 2

College Algebra.
Example: what shoulfd the graph for f(x) = 0.6^x look like?

Answer 3

Well I don't know, I'm not in college..

Answer 4

Thanks anyway!

Answer 5

Simular looking functions will have a simular graph. For example 5^x will look simular to 0.3^x. If you know how one of them goes, you know what to expect for the other.

Answer 6

A negative number, for example -5^x will behave differently however. (Usually it mirrors the function on the x axis, but in this particular case i believe it won't exactly mirror it)

Answer 7

Note I'm on the train so I can't draw now but did I answer your question or do you stil have questions? Feel free to ask.

Answer 8

Working out the function, \[f(x)= 0.6^x\], results in a line that descends from left - right crossing the y-axis at approx. 1. I was just wondering if there was a way to determine direction of the line before working the porblem.

Thanks for the assistance.

Answer 9

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=draw+0.6%5Ex+and+1%5Ex+and+2%5Ex+and+-0.6%5Ex+and+-1%5Ex+and+-2%5Ex

Answer 10

for the function
\[\large n^x\]
where x is your variable

when n=1 or n=0 or n=-1 it will draw a straight line (1, 0 and -1, respectively). Because no matter what number you place in the exponent of 1 or 0, it will always be 1 (or 0). Note, when we are talking about negative values for n, we interpret it as \[\large -(n)^{x}\] and not as\[\large (-n)^x\]

So, -(3)^x will exactly mirror the function of 3^x. this is the case for any n as long as n is equal but opposite sign.
\[when~0<n <1\]
the function will get smaller and smaller, but will never cross the x-axis (asymptotic behavior towards the x axis).
\[when~n <1\]
the graph will continue to increase until infinity. graphs of this type really raise in value quickly