Exponential functions are a type of mathematical expression where a constant base is raised to a variable exponent. They appear frequently in algebra and are essential in modeling growth processes like population growth or radioactive decay. These functions have the general form:
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The constant base is typically a fixed number.
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The exponent is a variable representing the independent variable, commonly denoted as "x".
When studying exponential functions, one can observe rapid increases or decreases depending on the base. If the base is greater than one, the function will describe growth; if it is between zero and one, it will describe decay. Understanding these functions helps you analyze situations in various fields like finance, biology, and physics.