exponential function
Americannoun
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the function y = ex .
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any function of the form y = bax , where a and b are positive constants.
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
We will now look at an exponential function with an irrational number as the base.
From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020
If you own a bank account, you have experienced the use of an exponential function.
From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020
What happens to an exponential function as the values of x decreases?
From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020
We have found that man is an exponential function where time enters as an exponent.
From Manhood of Humanity. by Korzybski, Alfred
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
