Question

Tell whether the function represents exponential growth or decay.

f(x)= 5/6^x

Answer 1

@mathstudent55 @Mertsj

Answer 2

Amm: Have you tried graphing this function? Doing so would tell you in a hurry whether this exponential function is growing or decaying.

I'm assuming your f(x) is (5/6)^x, which states that your base, 5/6, is between 0 and 1. Generally, a base between 0 and 1 signifies exponential decay if the exponent, x, is (+)

Answer 3

Note that 5/6 can be re-written as e^ln(5/6), which itself can be re-written as e^[ln 5 - ln 6]. Since ln 5 < ln 6, the exponent of e is (-), which also states that this is exponential decay.

Answer 4

wait i just divied 5 into 6 and fount out that it is less than one so it must be decay? can i do it that way?

Answer 5

Yes, if you buy my argument that bases between 0 and 1, but not including 0 or 1, with positive exponents, are decaying exponentials.

If you have a graphing calculator and are comfortable with it, try graphing y = a^x, using various fractions between 0 and 1 as your bases. All such graphs have the shape and direction of decaying exponentials.

Answer 6

idk about the calculater way but can u check a couple more for me?: