exponential


Pronunciation key

( ek′spō-nen′shəl )

ex•po•nen•tial

adj.

  1. Algebra. Containing or expressed in terms of powers, the base of natural logarithms. Relating to exponents; especially when involving variable or unknown quantities as an exponent.

—ex′po•nen′tial•ly adv.

Exponential Equation

An equation which expresses a relationship when the dependent variable is an exponential function of the independent variable.

Exponential Function

A function of the form

y = ax

with a as any positive number. The graph of the exponential function crosses the y axis at (0,1) and to the right of the y axis its height increasingly rises, rapidly. To the left of the y axis the graph approaches the x axis as an asymptote. An exponential function is an inverse function of the logarithmic function. A particularly useful exponential function is that which the constant a has the value e that is approximately 2.71828. Exponential functions have many professional applications such as for business, especially in connection with the phenomena of growth and decay.

Exponential Curve
Image credit: The American Peoples Encyclopedia ©1960
An Exponential Curve.

References

  • Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955
  • The New World Family Encyclopedia ©1955
  • The American Peoples Encyclopedia ©1960
  • The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition ©1985

    • Related Terms

  • exponent
  • exponentiation
  • exponible

    • Further Reading

  • Exponential Thesaurus
  • Exponential Growth, Business
  • Exponential Functions Introduction
  • What is Exponential Function?
  • Exponential (Definition)
  • Exponential (Definition)
  • Exponential (Definition)
  • Exponential (Definition)
  • Exponential (Definition)
  • Exponential (Definition)

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