A Lesson Plan on Exponential Functions in Reality

(EXPONENTIAL DECAY)
by
MARNELLIE E. BAUTISTA-VALDEZ
SHS-TII

Grade : 11
Content : Functions and their Graphs

I. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to

1. Analyze data and represent situations involving exponential decay

using tables and graphs;
2. Solve problems involving exponential functions (M11GM_Ig_2);
and
3. Appreciate the value of exponential function to real-life situation.

II. Subject Matter: Problem Solving Involving Exponential Functions,

a. References: General Mathematics pages 129-138 by Orlando Oronce

b. Materials: Worksheet entitled Island Survivor
c. Skills to be developed: problem solving, graphing, accuracy and precision
d. Values to be developed: patience in solving problems, appreciation of the
value of exponential function
e. Strategy: Problem Solving, collaborative work

III. Learning Activities / Procedures:

A. Preliminary Activities

B. Review

a. Briefly recall the graph and the properties of the exponential function of the
form f ( x )=a x , where a>10<a<1
b. Concepts of Exponential Growth

C. Lesson Proper

1. Presentation

The teacher will distribute and explain the instructions of the Activity Worksheet
entitled Island Survivor. Each student should toss a coin in order to collect data based on
the given instruction. This will be a whole class experiment to complete the table. After data
collection has been completed have students work in pairs to complete the remainder of the
activity.

2. Discussion/Developmental Activities
 When the majority of the class is finished with the activity, have pairs share and
compare results. Debrief the class with the following questions.
Scaffolding Questions (for Survivor)
What is the independent variable?
What is the dependent variable?
What is happening to the number of people living after each exposure?
Examine the table. Does the graph decrease at a constant rate?

The experiment that was analyzed by the students is a representation of an

exponential decay model.
In exponential growth b > 1, has a graph that goes up to the right and is an
increasing function. The greater the value of b, the steeper the increase.
In exponential decay, 0 < b < 1, has a graph that goes down to the right and is a
decreasing function. The smaller the value of b, the steeper the decrease.

3. Synthesis/ Generalization

A. summary
a. How can a real life situation be represented using the exponential
function?
b. What can you say about the flow of the graph?
c. What does the flow of the graph implies?

D. Evaluation

Direction: Read the problem and answer the following questions in a one-half crosswise
sheet of paper.

The half-life of a certain radioactive substance is 5 days. Initially there are 8 grams
present.
1. How many grams are present after 10 days?
2. Which represent x- & y- values? The exponent?
3. Tabulate the x & y values and sketch the graph of the given problem.
4. How important is exponential function in our lives?

IV. Assignment

1. Find any situation from the web, community or anywhere showing exponential decay
function, tabulate the x & y-values & sketch the graph.

NAME/S: _______________________________ SECTION: ___________

Island Survivor WORKSHEET
You are on an island and you have come in contact with a rare
disease. You are exposed to the disease by the people on the island
with you. Only one of you on the island will survive this disease because
of the immunity that is already in his or her system. Which one of you
will survive the disease and be on the island alone?

Activity: To simulate the spread of the disease, everyone will toss a coin. Those
still living will get toss their coin at each exposure. You escape the disease if
you get a head. You get the disease and die if you get a tail. Once you are
dead, you cannot toss the coin again.

1. For each exposure, record the number of people living into the table below.

No. of Exposure No. of People Living

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
X
2. Represent x and y.
3. Plot the points and sketch the graph.

4. Based on your model, on day 5, how many people were still alive?

5. If there are 10 people alive, what day corresponds to the number alive?

6. Describe the behavior of the graph in mathematical terms.