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Start with the general exponential equation.

Plug in

and

Note: this is the point (-1,5)

Rewrite the right side with a positive exponent

Solve for 'a'
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Go back to the first equation

Plug in

and

Note: this is the point (0.5, 40)

Plug in

Multiply by adding the exponents.

Add

Divide both sides by 5.

Reduce and rewrite 1.5 as

Square both sides.

Square 8 to get 64

Take the cube root of both sides

Take the cube root of 64 to get 4
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Go back to the first isolated equation

Plug in

Multiply
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Answer:
So the exponential function that goes through (–1, 5),(0.5, 40) is