Education Technology

Comparing Exponential and Power Functions

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.2
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS

Comparing Exponential and Power Functions

Activity Overview

Students will be able to use various graphical representations to determine which of two functions is greater for large values of x.

Objectives

  • Students will be able to use various graphical representations to determine which of two functions is greater for large values of x.
  • Students will understand that any exponential function of base greater than 1 will be greater than any power function for sufficiently large values of x.
  • Students will be able to determine which of two functions is greater given a graph of the ratio of the two functions.
  • Students will be able to construct arguments based on graphs and other reasoning to support the conclusion that exponential functions exceed power functions for sufficiently large values of x.

 

Vocabulary

  • Exponential function
  • Power function
  • Base

 

About the Lesson

This lesson provides several different opportunities for students to explore graphical relationships between different exponential and power functions, including an investigation of the ratio of the two functions.

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.2
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS
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