Exponential Functions: The Basics

Linear growth adds the same amount each step: $10, 20, 30, 40$. Exponential growth multiplies by the same number each step: $10, 20, 40, 80$.

Every exponential function looks like $y = a \cdot b^{x}$. The number is the starting amount, the value when is . The base is the growth factor, the number you multiply by each step. The exponent is how many steps you take.