Directed Investigation: The Derivative of Exponential Functions

Topic: Working with Functions and Graphs Using Calculus

Differentiation, Change and the Exponential Function

A completed directed investigation should include:

• an introduction that demonstrates an understanding of the features of the problem or situation
investigated
• evidence that instructions have been followed;
• appropriate representation of information gathered or produced, calculations, and results;
• a summary of results or findings and conclusions drawn.

Your report should be structured to include:

• Introduction
• Mathematical Investigation
• Analysis/Discussion
• Conclusion
Note: Your report should be written in the form “The analysis……..” rather than “When I
analysed……..”, or “When you analyse……..”.

Performance will be assessed on the extent to which the following are demonstrated:
• Mathematical skills and understandings (without electronic technology)
• Mathematical skills and understandings (with electronic technology)
• Analysis and interpretation of results and information
• The communication of mathematical information
• The organisation and presentation of material
• The ability to work independently

Achievement Level

Criteria 0 1 2 3 4 5

Mathematical skills &

understanding (without ET)
Mathematical skills &
understanding (with ET)
Analysis and interpretation of
results and information
Communication of mathematical
information
Organisation & presentation

Ability to work independently

Comments:
Introduction:

By now you should be very familiar with a variety of polynomial functions and their derivative
functions. In this task you are to investigate exponential functions and their derivative functions.

Mathematical Investigations, Analysis and Discussion

Part One
Part One is to be completed at home. Part two will be completed in class. To be able to do
Part Two you must have the results from Part One.

dy
1 a. Use technology to graph the function 2 x and on the same set of axes.
dx
Provide a scaled sketch of your graph.

b. y = 2 x might have what type of function as the derivative function?

6 marks
2 a. To get a better feel for the relationship between y = 2 x and its derivative, look at a
dy
table of values for y = 2 x and for x = 0, 1,…., 10.
dx

Provide an excerpt of your table.

If the derivative function of y = 2 is indeed an exponential function, as it appears to

x
c.
be, what is its multiplier?

Once you have found its multiplier, write down the derivative function for y = 2 in the
x
d.
form y = a.b x

3 a. Repeat question 2 for y = (2.2)x

b. Repeat question 2 for y = (2.4)x
c. Repeat question 2 for y = (2.6)x
d. Repeat question 2 for y = (2.8)x
e.Repeat question 2 for y = 3x
15 marks

4 From your answers to questions 2 and 3 you should see a clear link between exponential
functions and their derivative functions. What is it?
2 marks
5 Given what you have observed you should see that there might be some function y = a x
dy
that is its own derivative functions, i.e. = ax
dx

Find this function, with a to 5 significant figures. Document the process you employ and
include evidence to support your findings. Have you seen this number before? If so, in what
context?
6 marks

Part Two
Part Two to be distributed and completed in class.
To be able to do Part Two students must have the results from Part One.

6 For exponential functions of the form y = a x with values of a other than the one you found
dx
in question 5, we can see from question 3 that if y = a x then = b.a x
dy

Can you find a link between a and b ? Document how you found this link.
6 marks

7 From what you have discovered suggest a rule for the derivative function for the function
y = ax
2 marks

Conclusion

Summarise your findings

Marking

Mathematical Investigations, Analysis and Discussion 43 marks

Report style presentation 3 marks

Total marks 46 marks