What are exponential functions?

Answer 1

With exponentiation functions, the rate of change of the function is proportional to it present value.

A function f(x) = ax is an exponentiation function [a is a constant with respect to x]

Two common exponentiation functions are 10x and ex. The number 'e' is a special number, where the rate of change is equal to the value (not just proportional). When the number e is used, then it is called the exponential function.

See related links.

Answer 2

An exponential function is basically any function that can be written as:

ABx

or the equivalent:

CeDx

for different constants A, B, C, D ("e" is the base of the natural logarithms, approximately 2.71828...) One of the characteristics of this type of function is that for every increase in "x" by a fixed amount, the value of the function increases (or decreases) by a certain factor. For example, if "x" represents time, the function will double in value (or increase by some other factor) every year.