How do you determine if the equation #y = 1/2 (5)^x# represents exponential growth or decay?

1 Answer
Daniel L.
May 27, 2016

This function represent growth. For details see explanation.

Explanation:

To see if an exponential function is increasing or decreasing you look at the base. In a function #f(x)=a*b^x# and the coefficient #a#:

  • the function is increasing if: #a>0# and #b>1# or #a<0# and #b<1#

  • the function is decreasing if #a<0# and #b>1# or #a>0# and #b<1#

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