HOW TO DETERMINE AN EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION FROM A TABLE OF VALUES

Here we are going to see how to determine if the given table of data represents the exponential function or not.

One method is to observe the shape of the graph. But the graph of an exponential function may resemble part of the graph of a quadratic function.

Another way is to use the problem-solving strategy look for a pattern with the data.

Let us look into some example problems to understand the above concept.

Example 1 :

Determine whether each set of data displays exponential behavior.

Solution :

The domain values are at regular intervals of 10. Let’s see if there is a common factor among the range values

Since the domain values are at regular intervals and the range values have a common factor, the data are probably exponential. The equation for the data may involve (1/2)^x

Exponential equation of the given data is (1/2)^x

Example 2 :

Determine whether each set of data displays exponential behavior.

Solution :

The domain values are at regular intervals of 10. The range values have a common difference 6.

The data do not display exponential behavior, but rather linear behavior.

Let us see the next example on "How to determine an exponential function from a table of values".

Example 3 :

Determine whether each set of data displays exponential behavior.

Solution :

The domain values are at regular intervals of 1. Let’s see if there is a common factor among the range values

Since the domain values are at regular intervals and the range values have a common factor, the data are probably exponential. The equation for the data may involve 6^x

Exponential equation of the given data is 6^x

Example 4 :

Determine whether each set of data displays exponential behavior.