exponential function

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 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponential function¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Any exponential function has a derivative that is a multiple of itself.

From Slate

The sharp increase at the right smashes down the rest of the curve, so its true nature is a bit obscured, but from the lowest percentile up, this is roughly an exponential function.

From The Guardian

That’s the point at which an exponential function starts to rocket upward.

From Slate

This involves looking at the time when they held the Olympics and afterwards and trying to fit an exponential function to it and then we can compare the different rates.

From BBC

In 1963, Derek J. de Solla Price wrote up his research on the growth of science and concluded that his exponential function could not describe the future.

From Slate