How to sketch the graph for y=10^(x) -1 ?

1 Answer
Jan 20, 2018

See below.

Explanation:

Take a look at a sample graph of an exponential function:

graph{e^x [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

This is y=e^x by the way, and how I typically visualise exponential function graphs.

We'll start with the graph of 10^x. The x axis is a horizontal asymptote "at negative infinity" for exponential functions like this. Notice how the graph is different with a greater base. e is about 2.7, while in our case we have 10 as base.

graph{10^x [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

To get 10^x-1, you'll have to shift that entire graph downwards 1 unit:

graph{10^x-1 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}