Question

Classify the following functions as growth or decay: f(x) = 10 (6/7)^x, g(x)= 1/3e^x, h(x)=5e^-x, k(x)= -10(6/7)^x

Answer 1

It is known that any exponential function with the form f(x)=a^x is an increasing function while a function of the form g(x)=a^(-x) is a decreasing function.

Furthermore, it a function h(x) is increasing, then the function -h(x) is decreasing. By analogy, if a function k(x) is decreasing, then -k(x) is increasing.

Now let's analyze the functions from the problem.

$\text{ Let }f(x)=10\cdot(\frac{6}{7})^x$

Since (6/7)^x is increasing and the multiplying factor of 10 is positive, then the function f(x) is also increasing.

Use these rules to find whether each function is increasing or decreasing.

Remember that increasing functions are used to represent growth while decreasing functions are used to represent decay.