SOLUTION: Do exponential functions only model phenomena that grow, or can they also model phenomena that decay? Explain what is different in the form of the function in each case. thank

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: Do exponential functions only model phenomena that grow, or can they also model phenomena that decay? Explain what is different in the form of the function in each case. thank       Log On


   

Question 182675: Do exponential functions only model phenomena that grow, or can they also model phenomena that decay? Explain what is different in the form of the function in each case.
thank you for your help.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Its all in the sign of the exponent (assume a>0).
f%28x%29=e%5E%28ax%29 quickly grows to infinity as x gets large.
f%28x%29=e%5E%28-ax%29 quickly decays to 0 as x gets large.
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The graphs are for a=1.
+graph%28+300%2C+300%2C+-2%2C+4%2C+-2%2C+4%2C+2.718%5E%28x%29%2C+2.718%5E%28-x%29%29+