College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter P - Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra - Concept and Vocabulary Check - Page 16: 2

Answer

In the exponential function $e^{x}$, $x$ is known as the power (or index), which is the number of times that base $e$ is multiplied by itself. For example, when $x=3$, $e$ is multiplied by itself 3 times (${e}\times{e}\times{e}$). This is what is done when base value $e$ is a positive integer. When $e$ is a negative integer, it is the opposite (or inverse) of a positive value $x$. Thus, instead of multiplying, you would divide. An easy way to solve this is by putting $e^{-x}$ in the form of it's reciprocal, $\frac{1}{e^{x}}$. Solve $e^{x}$ first, and then make it the denominator of $\frac{1}{y}$.

Work Step by Step

This vocabulary problem comes directly from the chapter in a call out section titled Exponential Notation.
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