SOLUTION: Please help me figure out how to do these problems. Find the value of "a" for which the graph of y = ab^x is a horizontal line. Find the value of "b" for which the graph of

Algebra ->  Rational-functions -> SOLUTION: Please help me figure out how to do these problems. Find the value of "a" for which the graph of y = ab^x is a horizontal line. Find the value of "b" for which the graph of      Log On


   

Question 455310: Please help me figure out how to do these problems.
Find the value of "a" for which the graph of y = ab^x is a horizontal line.
Find the value of "b" for which the graph of y = ab^x is a horizontal line.
I'm a long time out of calculus III and even longer away from Algebra II. It seems to me that a horizontal line is where y stays the same no matter what ab^x is but this doesn't help me find the answer. Thanks for help.
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
your analysis is correct, and does help lead to solutions

the only "a" value that can keep the value constant is zero

for "b", either one or zero will keep the value constant


there is probably a derivation for this, but a thought experiment works just as well