Part 1/6:
Understanding Power Functions through Graphing
Power functions form a crucial aspect of algebra and calculus, fundamental to understanding various mathematical concepts and applications. This article delves into the properties of power functions, with a particular focus on their graphing patterns.
Introduction to Power Functions
A power function can be expressed as ( f(x) = x^a ), where ( a ) is a constant. Throughout this discussion, we will explore various cases of the exponent ( a ), including positive integers, fractions, and negative values, while clearly illustrating how these variations impact the shape and behavior of the graph.