How do you find the exponential function that contains both of these points (2,12.6) and (5, 42.525)?

1 Answer
Jun 18, 2015

Suppose f(x) = k*a^x for some k in RR and a > 0, a != 1

Then a = root(3)(42.525/12.6) = root(3)(3.375) = 1.5

and k = 12.6/(a^2) = 12.6/2.25 = 5.6

So f(x) = 5.6(1.5)^x

Explanation:

Suppose f(x) = k*a^x for some k in RR and a > 0, a != 1

Then f(5)/f(2) = (k*a^5)/(k*a^2) = a^3

So a = root(3)(f(5)/f(2)) = root(3)(42.525/12.6) = root(3)(3.375) = 1.5

f(2) = k*a^2, so k = f(2)/(a^2) = 12.6/(1.5^2) = 12.6 / 2.25 = 5.6

So f(x) = 5.6(1.5)^x