6.2 Graphs of Exponential Functions – do todos
Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to…
- Graph exponential functions.
- Graph exponential functions using transformations.
As we discussed in the previous section, exponential functions are used for many real-world applications such as finance, forensics, computer science, and most of the life sciences. Working with an equation that describes a real-world situation gives us a method for making predictions. Most of the time, however, the equation itself is not enough. We learn a lot about things by seeing their pictorial representations, and that is exactly why graphing exponential equations is a powerful tool. It gives us another layer of insight for predicting future events.
Graphing Exponential Functions
Before we begin graphing, it is helpful to review the behavior of exponential growth. Recall the table of values for a function of the form
whose base is greater than one. We’ll use the function
Observe how the output values in Table 1 change as the input increases by ![]()
Table 1
Each output value is the product of the previous output and the base,
We call the base
the constant ratio. In fact, for any exponential function with the form
is the constant ratio of the function. This means that as the input increases by 1, the output value will be the product of the base and the previous output, regardless of the value of ![]()
Notice from the table that
- the output values are positive for all values of

- as
increases, the output values increase without bound; and - as
decreases, the output values grow smaller, approaching zero.
Figure 1 shows the exponential growth function ![]()
The domain of
is all real numbers, the range is
and the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
To get a sense of the behavior of exponential decay, we can create a table of values for a function of the form
whose base is between zero and one. We’ll use the function
Observe how the output values in Table 2 change as the input increases by ![]()
Table 2
Again, because the input is increasing by 1, each output value is the product of the previous output and the base, or constant ratio ![]()
Notice from the table that
- the output values are positive for all values of

- as
increases, the output values grow smaller, approaching zero; and - as
decreases, the output values grow without bound.
Figure 2 shows the exponential decay function, ![]()
The domain of
is all real numbers, the range is
and the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Characteristics of the Graph of the Parent Function 
An exponential function with the form
has these characteristics:
- one-to-one function
- horizontal asymptote:

- domain:

- range:

- x-intercept: none
- y-intercept:

- increasing if

- decreasing if

Figure 3 compares the graphs of exponential growth and decay functions.
How To
Given an exponential function of the form
graph the function.
- Create a table of points.
- Plot at least
point from the table, including the y-intercept 
- Draw a smooth curve through the points.
- State the domain,
the range,
and the horizontal asymptote, 
Example 1
Sketching the Graph of an Exponential Function of the Form f(x) = bx
Sketch a graph of
State the domain, range, and asymptote.
Solution
Before graphing, identify the behavior and create a table of points for the graph.
- Since
is between zero and one, we know the function is decreasing. The left tail of the graph will increase without bound, and the right tail will approach the asymptote 
- Create a table of points as in Table 3.
















Table 3
- Plot the y-intercept,
along with two other points. We can use
and 
Draw a smooth curve connecting the points as in Figure 4.
The domain is
the range is
the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Try It 1
Sketch the graph of
State the domain, range, and asymptote.
Show Solution
The domain is
; the range is
; the horizontal asymptote is
.
Graphing Transformations of Exponential Functions
Transformations of exponential graphs behave similarly to those of other functions. Just as with other parent functions, we can apply the four types of transformations—shifts, reflections, stretches, and compressions—to the parent function
without loss of shape. For instance, just as the quadratic function maintains its parabolic shape when shifted, reflected, stretched, or compressed, the exponential function also maintains its general shape regardless of the transformations applied.
Graphing a Vertical Shift
The first transformation occurs when we add a constant
to the parent function
giving us a vertical shift
units in the same direction as the sign. For example, if we begin by graphing a parent function,
we can then graph two vertical shifts alongside it, using
the upward shift,
and the downward shift,
Both vertical shifts are shown in Figure 5.
Observe the results of shifting
vertically:
- The domain,
remains unchanged. - When the function is shifted up
units to
- The y-intercept shifts up
units to 
- The asymptote shifts up
units to 
- The range becomes

- The y-intercept shifts up
- When the function is shifted down
units to
- The y-intercept shifts down
units to 
- The asymptote also shifts down
units to 
- The range becomes

- The y-intercept shifts down
Graphing a Horizontal Shift
The next transformation occurs when we add a constant
to the input of the parent function
giving us a horizontal shift
units in the opposite direction of the sign. For example, if we begin by graphing the parent function
we can then graph two horizontal shifts alongside it, using
the shift left,
and the shift right,
Both horizontal shifts are shown in Figure 6.
Observe the results of shifting
horizontally:
- The domain,
remains unchanged. - The asymptote,
remains unchanged. - The y-intercept shifts such that:
- When the function is shifted left
units to
the y-intercept becomes
This is because
so the initial value of the function is 
- When the function is shifted right
units to
the y-intercept becomes
Again, see that
so the initial value of the function is 
- When the function is shifted left
Shifts of the Parent Function f(x) = b^{x}
For any constants
and
the function
shifts the parent function ![]()
- vertically
units, in the same direction of the sign of 
- horizontally
units, in the opposite direction of the sign of 
- The y-intercept becomes

- The horizontal asymptote becomes

- The range becomes

- The domain,
remains unchanged.
How To
Given an exponential function with the form
graph the translation.
- Draw the horizontal asymptote

- Identify the shift as
Shift the graph of
left
units if
is positive, and right
units if
is negative. - Shift the graph of
up
units if
is positive, and down
units if
is negative. - State the domain,
the range,
and the horizontal asymptote 
Example 2
Graphing a Shift of an Exponential Function
Graph
State the domain, range, and asymptote.
Solution
We have an exponential equation of the form
with
and ![]()
Draw the horizontal asymptote
, so draw ![]()
Identify the shift as
so the shift is ![]()
Shift the graph of
left 1 units and down 3 units.
The domain is
the range is
the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Try It 2
Graph
State domain, range, and asymptote.
Show Solution
The domain is
; the range is
; the horizontal asymptote is
.
How To
Given an equation of the form
for
use a graphing calculator to approximate the solution.
- Press [Y=]. Enter the given exponential equation in the line headed “Y1=”.
- Enter the given value for
in the line headed “Y2=”. - Press [WINDOW]. Adjust the y-axis so that it includes the value entered for “Y2=”.
- Press [GRAPH] to observe the graph of the exponential function along with the line for the specified value of

- To find the value of
we compute the point of intersection. Press [2ND] then [CALC]. Select “intersect” and press [ENTER] three times. The point of intersection gives the value of x for the indicated value of the function.
Example 3
Approximating the Solution of an Exponential Equation
Solve
graphically. Round to the nearest thousandth.
Solution
Press [Y=] and enter
next to Y1=. Then enter 42 next to Y2=. For a window, use the values –3 to 3 for
and –5 to 55 for
Press [GRAPH]. The graphs should intersect somewhere near ![]()
For a better approximation, press [2ND] then [CALC]. Select [5: intersect] and press [ENTER] three times. The x-coordinate of the point of intersection is displayed as 2.1661943. (Your answer may be different if you use a different window or use a different value for Guess?) To the nearest thousandth, ![]()
Try It 3
Solve
graphically. Round to the nearest thousandth.
Show Solution
Graphing a Stretch or Compression
While horizontal and vertical shifts involve adding constants to the input or to the function itself, a stretch or compression occurs when we multiply the parent function
by a constant
For example, if we begin by graphing the parent function
we can then graph the stretch, using
to get
as shown on the left in Figure 8, and the compression, using
to get
as shown on the right in Figure 8.
stretches the graph of
vertically by a factor of
(b)
compresses the graph of
vertically by a factor of 
Stretches and Compressions of the Parent Function 
For any factor
the function ![]()
- is stretched vertically by a factor of
if 
- is compressed vertically by a factor of
if 
- has a y-intercept of

- has a horizontal asymptote at
a range of
and a domain of
which are unchanged from the parent function.
Example 4
Graphing the Stretch of an Exponential Function
Sketch a graph of
State the domain, range, and asymptote.
Solution
Before graphing, identify the behavior and key points on the graph.
- Since
is between zero and one, the left tail of the graph will increase without bound as
decreases, and the right tail will approach the x-axis as
increases. - Since
the graph of
will be stretched by a factor of 
- Create a table of points as shown in Table 4.
















Table 4
- Plot the y-intercept,
along with two other points. We can use
and 
Draw a smooth curve connecting the points, as shown in Figure 9.
The domain is
the range is
the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Try It 4
Sketch the graph of
State the domain, range, and asymptote.
Show Solution
The domain is
; the range is
; the horizontal asymptote is
.
Graphing Reflections
In addition to shifting, compressing, and stretching a graph, we can also reflect it about the x-axis or the y-axis. When we multiply the parent function
by
we get a reflection about the x-axis. When we multiply the input by
we get a reflection about the y-axis. For example, if we begin by graphing the parent function
we can then graph the two reflections alongside it. The reflection about the x-axis,
is shown on the left side of Figure 10, and the reflection about the y-axis
is shown on the right side of Figure 10.
reflects the graph of
about the x-axis. (b)
reflects the graph of
about the y-axis.Reflections of the Parent Function 
The function ![]()
- reflects the parent function
about the x-axis. - has a y-intercept of

- has a range of

- has a horizontal asymptote at
and domain of
which are unchanged from the parent function.
The function ![]()
- reflects the parent function
about the y-axis. - has a y-intercept of
a horizontal asymptote at
a range of
and a domain of
which are unchanged from the parent function.
Example 5
Writing and Graphing the Reflection of an Exponential Function
Find and graph the equation for a function,
that reflects
about the x-axis. State its domain, range, and asymptote.
Solution
Since we want to reflect the parent function
about the x-axis, we multiply
by
to get,
Next we create a table of points as in Table 5.
Table 5
Plot the y-intercept,
along with two other points. We can use
and ![]()
Draw a smooth curve connecting the points:
The domain is
the range is
the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Try It 5
Find and graph the equation for a function,
that reflects
about the y-axis. State its domain, range, and asymptote.
Show Solution
The domain is
; the range is
; the horizontal asymptote is
.
Summarizing Translations of the Exponential Function
Now that we have worked with each type of translation for the exponential function, we can summarize them in Table 6 to arrive at the general equation for translating exponential functions.
| Transformations of the Parent Function |
|
|---|---|
| Transformation | Form |
Shift
|
|
Stretch and Compress
|
|
Reflect about the x-axis |
|
Reflect about the y-axis |
|
General equation for all transformations |
|
Table 6
Translations of Exponential Functions
A translation of an exponential function has the form ![]()
Where the parent function,
is
- shifted horizontally
units to the left. - stretched vertically by a factor of
if 
- compressed vertically by a factor of
if 
- shifted vertically
units. - reflected about the x-axis when

Note the order of the shifts, transformations, and reflections follow the order of operations.
Example 6
Writing a Function from a Description
Write the equation for the function described below. Give the horizontal asymptote, the domain, and the range.
is vertically stretched by a factor of
, reflected across the y-axis, and then shifted up
units.
Solution
We want to find an equation of the general form
We use the description provided to find
and ![]()
- We are given the parent function
so 
- The function is stretched by a factor of
, so 
- The function is reflected about the y-axis. We replace
with
to get: 
- The graph is shifted vertically 4 units, so

Substituting in the general form we get,

The domain is
the range is
the horizontal asymptote is ![]()
Try It 6
Write the equation for function described below. Give the horizontal asymptote, the domain, and the range.
is compressed vertically by a factor of
reflected across the x-axis and then shifted down
units.
Show Solution
Media
Access this online resource for additional instruction and practice with graphing exponential functions.
6.2 Exercise Set
- What role does the horizontal asymptote of an exponential function play in telling us about the end behavior of the graph?
- What is the advantage of knowing how to recognize transformations of the graph of a parent function algebraically?
- The graph of
is reflected about the y-axis and stretched vertically by a factor of
What is the equation of the new function,
State its y-intercept, domain, and range. - The graph of
is reflected about the y-axis and compressed vertically by a factor of
What is the equation of the new function,
State its y-intercept, domain, and range. - The graph of
is reflected about the x-axis and shifted upward
units. What is the equation of the new function,
State its y-intercept, domain, and range. - The graph of
is shifted right
units, stretched vertically by a factor of
reflected about the x-axis, and then shifted downward
units. What is the equation of the new function,
State its y-intercept (to the nearest thousandth), domain, and range. - The graph of
is shifted downward
units, and then shifted left
units, stretched vertically by a factor of
and reflected about the x-axis. What is the equation of the new function,
State its y-intercept, domain, and range. 


and 
and 






- Which graph has the largest value for

- Which graph has the smallest value for

- Which graph has the largest value for

- Which graph has the smallest value for










- Shift
4 units upward - Shift
3 units downward - Shift
2 units left - Shift
5 units right - Reflect
about the x-axis - Reflect
about the y-axis
for 
for 
for 





- Explore and discuss the graphs of
and
Then make a conjecture about the relationship between the graphs of the functions
and
for any real number 
- Prove the conjecture made in the previous exercise.
- Explore and discuss the graphs of
and
Then make a conjecture about the relationship between the graphs of the functions
and
for any real number n and real number 
- Prove the conjecture made in the previous exercise.
TODO: add in the answers from https://openstax.org/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e/pages/6-2-graphs-of-exponential-functions
Text Attribution
This text was adapted from Chapter 6.2 of Algebra and Trigonometry 2e, textbooks originally published by OpenStax.