Exponential function

exponential functions

Exponential functions are functions of the form , where a is a constant and s is a complex number. They are based on the mathematical operation of exponentiation.

The derivative of an exponential function is,

where  is the natural logarithm for a.

The transcendental number e (2.7182818...) has the property that the derivative of the function ex is ex, since ln e = 1. This function is thus important in the solution of many types of differential equations. e is the canonical exponential function.