Question 181592
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I would use some sort of graphing tool, like a graphing calculator or one of the many graphing applets out here on the web.  But if you are stuck with pencil and paper, here's the process.


Select several values (I'd pick about 8 or 10 total values) for <i>x</i>.  Write them in a column.  Make sure you have both positive and negative values for <i>x</i>.  Then in another column, write the results of the calculation of *[tex \Large 5^x] for the corresponding value of <i>x</i> in the first column.  When you have completed your table, each row represents the coordinates of one point on the curve.  Plot your points and then draw a smooth curve connecting them.


It should look something like this (Note that it is asymptotic to the negative <i>x</i>-axis and that it gets very large very fast -- *[tex \Large 5^3 = 125] and *[tex \Large 5^4 = 625]): 

 

{{{drawing(
400,400,-10,10,-1,10,
grid(1),
graph(
400,400,-10,10,-1,10,
y=5^x
))}}}




John
*[tex \LARGE e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0]
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