How do you graph y=2^-xy=2x?

1 Answer
Feb 9, 2018

here is the graph
graph{2^-x [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

Explanation:

Start by changing y=2^-xy=2x to y=(1/2)^xy=(12)x to have an untransformed graph.
Here are some characteristics of y=(1/2)^xy=(12)x to make sure you plot the points correctly:

-it will have y-intercept (0,1)

-the domain is all reals

-has 0<0<base<1<1

-is a decreasing function

-the horizontal asymptote is y=0y=0, therefore the range is y>0y>0

To graph, start with the point (0,1) and multiply yy by 1/212 to get the positive coordinates of xx. To get the negative coordinates of xx, start with (0,1) and multiply yy by 2. Keep in mind the restrictions and guidelines above.
enter image source here
then graph accordingly making sure to get close to zero, but never actually reach it.