The graphs of the quadratic function y=x^2 and the exponential function y=2^x have many different characteristics. Identify and explain two major differences.

Question

quadratic functions and exponential functions

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer,

      First the quadratic is symmetric i.e. when you replace x by-x you get the same result. y(x)=y(-x). whereas the exponential function is not symmetric.

      Second the quadratic function has no unique inverse but the exponential does

      Third the exponential function increases faster the the quadratic function d(2^x)/dx >d(x^2)/dx.

      Fourth the quadratic has a global minimum but the exponential does not. 

 

Hope this gets you started

 

Jim