Exponential graphs - Higher only
Exponential graphs are graphs in the form \(\text{y = k}^x\). These graphs increase rapidly in the \({y}\) direction and will never fall below the \({x}\)-axis.
An exponential graph will look like this:
Example
Let’s look at \(\text{y = 2}^x\).
- when \({x}\) = -2, \({y}\) = 2-2 = 0.25
- when \({x}\) = -1, \({y}\) = 2-1 = 0.5, etc
| \(\text{x}\) | -2 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| \(\text{y = 2}^x\) | 0.25 | 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| \(\text{x}\) |
| -2 |
| -1 |
| 0 |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| \(\text{y = 2}^x\) |
| 0.25 |
| 0.5 |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 4 |
| 8 |
| 16 |
Plotting these points, we can see the steep increase in the graph in the \({y}\) direction.
More guides on this topic
- Equations of lines – WJEC
- Basic algebra – WJEC
- Equations and formulae – WJEC
- Factorising - Intermediate & Higher tier – WJEC
- Quadratic expressions - Intermediate & Higher tier – WJEC
- Sequences – WJEC
- Functions - Higher only – WJEC
- Inequalities - Intermediate & Higher tier – WJEC
- Simultaneous equations - Intermediate & Higher tier – WJEC
