Education Technology

Transformations of Exponential Functions - Part 1

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Math: AP Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
50 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.0
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS

Transformations of Exponential Functions - Part 1

Activity Overview

Students will explore the family of exponential functions of the form f(x) = c * b x+aand be able to describe the effect of each parameter on the graph of y = f(x).

Objectives

  • Students will explore the family of exponential functions of the form f(x) = c*bx+aand be able to describe the effect of each parameter on the graph of y = f(x)
  • Students will be able to determine the equation that corresponds to the graph of an exponential function.
  • Students will understand that a horizontal translation and a vertical stretch of the graph of an exponential function are essentially the same.

Vocabulary

  • exponential function
  • parameter
  • translation
  • reflection
  • vertical shift

About the Lesson

This lesson involves the family of exponential functions of the form f(x) = c*bx+a 

As a result students will:

  • Manipulate sliders, and observe the effect on the graph of the corresponding exponential function.
  • Conjecture and draw conclusions about the effect of each parameter on the graph of the exponential function.
  • Compare horizontal translation and vertical stretch and manipulate equations to demonstrate they are the same.v
  • Match specific exponential functions with their corresponding graphs

*Note: This activity contains an optional AP Practice Questions document for those students preparing for the AP Precalculus Exam.

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Math: AP Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
50 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.0
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS
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