Jill entered y = 2 * 5^( – 4) into an online graphing tool. What function did she graph?

Question

Jill entered  y = 2 * 5^( – 4) into an online graphing tool.  What function did she graph?

mathmale · Answer

What would $$y=2*5^{-4}$$  look like if graphed?

mathmale · Answer

Supposing that the "4" were an "x" value.  What would the function be in the more general sense?

riddle574 · Answer

idk ;/

mathmale · Answer

You ought to learn and know what the following functions would look like if graphed:

1/x

1/(x^2)

1/(x^3)

1/(x^4)

mathmale · Answer

Graph 1/(x^4) on your calculator.

riddle574 · Answer

okay

riddle574 · Answer

i did

mathmale · Answer

Note that I am making the assumption that the "2" is a constant coefficient, that "5" is the base of an exponential function, and that IF x = -4, we get a single point, (-4, f(-4)).
The question asks you "what function did you graph?"  

Actually, 2*5^(-4) is just a constant number, not a function.
But if we assume that 2 is a constant coefficient and that 5 is a base, then the function you've graphed is

$$y=2*5^x.$$

mathmale · Answer

This is called an "exponential function."

riddle574 · Answer

okay thanks

mathmate · Answer

Hmm....or
since there is no independent variable on the right-hand side of
$y=2*5^{-4}$
the right-hand side of the function is a constant, which makes the function a constant function.