Questions: Find the equation of the exponential function represented by the table below:
x y
0 2
1 8
2 32
3 128
Transcript text: Find the equation of the exponential function represented by the table below:
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline$x$ & $y$ \\
\hline 0 & 2 \\
\hline 1 & 8 \\
\hline 2 & 32 \\
\hline 3 & 128 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the general form of the exponential function
An exponential function can be written in the form:
\[
y = a \cdot b^x
\]
where:
\(a\) is the initial value (when \(x = 0\)),
\(b\) is the base (growth factor).
Step 2: Determine the initial value \(a\)
From the table, when \(x = 0\), \(y = 2\). Substituting into the general form:
\[
2 = a \cdot b^0
\]
Since \(b^0 = 1\), this simplifies to:
\[
a = 2
\]
Step 3: Determine the base \(b\)
Using the value of \(a = 2\) and the next point from the table (\(x = 1\), \(y = 8\)):
\[
8 = 2 \cdot b^1
\]
Solving for \(b\):
\[
b = \frac{8}{2} = 4
\]
Step 4: Write the equation of the exponential function
Substitute \(a = 2\) and \(b = 4\) into the general form:
\[
y = 2 \cdot 4^x
\]
Final Answer
The equation of the exponential function is:
\[
\boxed{y = 2 \cdot 4^x}
\]