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exponential function

American  

noun

Mathematics.
  1. the function y = ex .

  2. any function of the form y = bax , where a and b are positive constants.

  3. any function in which a variable appears as an exponent and may also appear as a base, as y = x 2x .


Etymology

Origin of exponential function

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

At wide-open throttle, the raunchiness doesn’t come in wild quanta but in one smoothly linear, incredibly steep exponential function, with no interval for tactility and feedback.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 30, 2025

Graph the exponential function by making a table.

From Textbooks Sep. 23, 2020

If you have a savings account, you have experienced the use of an exponential function.

From Textbooks Sep. 23, 2020

In the following exercises, graph each exponential function.

From Textbooks May 6, 2020

The time-binding energies as well as “life” follow the same type of exponential function.

From Manhood of Humanity. by Korzybski, Alfred

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