Questions: Find the equation of the exponential function represented by the table below:
x y
0 1
1 4
2 16
3 64
Transcript text: Find the equation of the exponential function represented by the table below:
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline$x$ & $y$ \\
\hline 0 & 1 \\
\hline 1 & 4 \\
\hline 2 & 16 \\
\hline 3 & 64 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the general form of the exponential function
The general form of an exponential function is:
\[
y = a \cdot b^x
\]
where:
\(a\) is the initial value (when \(x = 0\)),
\(b\) is the base (the growth factor).
Step 2: Determine the initial value \(a\)
From the table, when \(x = 0\), \(y = 1\). Substituting into the general form:
\[
1 = a \cdot b^0
\]
Since \(b^0 = 1\), this simplifies to:
\[
a = 1
\]
Step 3: Determine the base \(b\)
Using the value \(x = 1\) and \(y = 4\) from the table, substitute into the general form:
\[
4 = 1 \cdot b^1
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
b = 4
\]
Step 4: Write the equation of the exponential function
Substitute \(a = 1\) and \(b = 4\) into the general form:
\[
y = 1 \cdot 4^x
\]
Simplifying:
\[
y = 4^x
\]
Final Answer
The equation of the exponential function is:
\[
\boxed{y = 4^x}
\]