50.9k views
1 vote
Which of the following exponential functions represents the graph below?

Which of the following exponential functions represents the graph below?-example-1

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

D

Explanation:

We can start by taking a look at the x and y intercepts. When x=0, y=3. Plugging this into each function,

5 * 3^(0) = 5

3 * 5^(0) = 3

5 * (1/3)^(0) = 5

3 * (1/5) ^ (0) = 3

Therefore, our answer must be either B or D. Then, although y=0 isn't given on the graph, based on where the graph is heading, we can say that y is getting smaller as x gets larger. For a big number, such as 100, we know that

3 * 5^(100) is something big and 3 * (1/5) ^ (100) is something small*. Therefore, as y must get small, not big, as x gets larger, D is our answer.

* We know that this is something small because anything less than 1 to the power of something greater than 1 makes it smaller. For example, 0.5² is 0.25, which is smaller than 0.5

User Sayse
by
5.6k points