Exponential Functions

Build, combine, and simplify exponential functions.

34 Lessons422 Exercises

Growing

Doubling

Tripling

Powers of 10

Level Check

Bases

Initial Values

Finding the Base and Coefficient

Deducing Exponential Functions

Level Check

Decay

Fractional Bases

Building Decay Functions

Negative Exponents

Linear Comparisons

Quadratic Comparisons

Comparing Growth

Comparing Decay

Building Exponentials

Finding Initial Values

Fractional Bases

Building Decay Functions

Comparing Decimal Bases

Percent Increase

Modeling Compound Interest

Modeling Depreciation

Interest Comparisons

Stepping Along Exponentials

Skipping Along Exponentials

Exponentials Over Negatives

Reflection Over Vertical Axis

Building Exponentials

Exponentials at Half-Steps

Exponentials Between Integers

Signed Stepping

Building Exponentials

Course description

This interactive course unveils the mathematics behind some of nature's most compelling patterns—from viral spread and population growth to radioactive decay and cooling coffee. You'll begin by exploring exponential functions through interactive visualizations that bring abstract concepts to life. You'll also manipulate graphs to watch how small differences in growth rates create dramatic effects, discovering why these functions model everything from compound interest to bacterial colonies. In the second half, the focus shifts from computation to understanding the "why" behind the algebraic rules. Rather than memorizing formulas, you'll investigate the logical foundation of exponential properties. You'll discover why certain transformation rules hold true and how these patterns connect to real-world scenarios. Each property emerges naturally from hands-on investigation and reasoning. By the end, you'll recognize exponential relationships in everyday contexts and possess the mathematical toolkit to analyze them rigorously.

Topics covered

  • Exponential functions
  • Exponential growth
  • Exponential decay
  • Bases
  • Initial value