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| Question 150352:  In order to plot the graphs of the following functions, what do I do first? I am so lost!
 f(x)=7^x
 f(x)=4^x-3
 f(x)=(1/5)^x
 f(x)=log3x
 Thanks for your help!
 Answer by scott8148(6628)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! plotting the graphs is straight forward (a graphing calculator would be a big help) __ the f(x) values are on the vertical (y) axis and the x values are on the horizontal axis
 __ find the f(x) values by "plugging in" values for x
 
 1.  f(x)=7^x __ when x=0, f(x)=1 (this is the y-intercept) __ when x is 1, f(x)=7
 __ as x becomes a large NEGATIVE value, f(x) approaches zero (horizontal asymptote)
 
 2.  f(x)=4^(x-3) __ when x=3, the exponent is 0 so f(x)=1 __ when x=0, f(x)=4^(-3) or 1/64
 __ same general shape as #1 with different y-intercept
 
 3.  f(x)=(1/5)^x __ when x=0, f(x)=1
 __ as x becomes a large POSITIVE value, f(x) approaches zero (horizontal asymptote)
 __ this graph is sort of a "mirror image" of #'s 1 and 2
 
 4.  logarithms are NOT defined for negative quantities, so this graph is only on the right-hand side of the vertical axis
 __ as x approaches zero (very small fractions), f(x) approaches negative infinity (vertical asymptote)
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