Functions of the Form <em>y = ab<sup>x</sup> + q</em>

Functions of the form \(y=a{b}^{x}+q\)

Optional Investigation: The effects of \(a\), \(q\) and \(b\) on an exponential graph.

On the same set of axes, plot the following graphs (\(a=1\), \(q=0\) and \(b\) changes):

  1. \(y_{1} = 2^{x}\)

  2. \(y_{2} = \left(\cfrac{1}{2}\right)^{x}\)

  3. \(y_{3} = 6^{x}\)

  4. \(y_{4} = \left(\cfrac{1}{6}\right)^{x}\)

\(-\text{2}\)

\(-\text{1}\)

\(\text{0}\)

\(\text{1}\)

\(\text{2}\)

\(y_{1}=2^{x}\)

\(y_{2}=\left(\cfrac{1}{2}\right)^{x}\)

\(y_{3}=6^{x}\)

\(y_{4}=\left(\cfrac{1}{6}\right)^{x}\)

Use your results to deduce the effect of \(b\).

On the same set of axes, plot the following graphs (\(b=2\), \(a=1\) and \(q\) changes):

  1. \({y}_{5}={2}^{x}-2\)

  2. \({y}_{6}={2}^{x}-1\)

  3. \({y}_{7}={2}^{x}\)

  4. \({y}_{8}={2}^{x}+1\)

  5. \({y}_{9}={2}^{x}+2\)

\(-\text{2}\)

\(-\text{1}\)

\(\text{0}\)

\(\text{1}\)

\(\text{2}\)

\({y}_{5}={2}^{x}-2\)

\({y}_{6}={2}^{x}-1\)

\({y}_{7}={2}^{x}\)

\({y}_{8}={2}^{x}+1\)

\({y}_{9}={2}^{x}+2\)

Use your results to deduce the effect of \(q\).

On the same set of axes, plot the following graphs (\(b=2\), \(q=0\) and \(a\) changes).

  1. \({y}_{10}=1 \times {2}^{x}\)

  2. \({y}_{11}=2\times {2}^{x}\)

  3. \({y}_{12}=-1 \times {2}^{x}\)

  4. \({y}_{13}=-2\times {2}^{x}\)

\(-\text{2}\)

\(-\text{1}\)

\(\text{0}\)

\(\text{1}\)

\(\text{2}\)

\({y}_{10}=1 \times {2}^{x}\)

\({y}_{11}=2\times {2}^{x}\)

\({y}_{12}=-1 \times {2}^{x}\)

\({y}_{13}=-2\times {2}^{x}\)

Use your results to deduce the effect of \(a\).

The effect of \(q\)

The effect of \(q\) is called a vertical shift because all points are moved the same distance in the same direction (it slides the entire graph up or down).

  • For \(q>0\), the graph is shifted vertically upwards by \(q\) units.

  • For \(q<0\), the graph is shifted vertically downwards by \(q\) units.

The horizontal asymptote is shifted by \(q\) units and is the line \(y=q\).

The effect of \(a\)

The sign of \(a\) determines whether the graph curves upwards or downwards.

For \(0 < b < 1\):

  • For \(a>0\), the graph curves downwards. It reflects the graph about the horizontal asymptote.

  • For \(a<0\), the graph curves upwards.

For \(b > 1\):

  • For \(a>0\), the graph curves upwards.

  • For \(a<0\), the graph curves downwards. It reflects the graph about the horizontal asymptote.

\(b>1\)

\(a<0\)

\(a>0\)

\(q>0\)

99dae42fb27bff47b54d030032ab467c.png 74e0477b7399ef23464f79a71a9a64b0.png

\(q<0\)

3e890226a98b4418b8952ed01cfdc031.png 65b72863cc37e31cdf3bc1cfd7a1fb84.png

The effect of \(a\) and \(q\) on an exponential graph when \(b > 1\).

\(0

\(a<0\)

\(a>0\)

\(q>0\)

47260e209d4863b16ed51f9158d9969b.png 57d380336556e3b3d17f053bb76f6084.png

\(q<0\)

9b83395795454016d9ee9ccdefc1a9e6.png 8d3ffecb331180371936b0f6164cdae3.png

The effect of \(a\) and \(q\) on an exponential graph when \(0 < b < 1\).

This lesson is part of:

Functions I

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