Exponential in Excel (Formula,Examples) | How to Use EXP Function?

Excel Functions Tutorials

Exponential in Excel (Table of Contents)

Exponential Function in Excel
Exponential Formula
What is e in Mathematics?
How to Use EXP Function in Excel? (with Examples)

Exponential Function in Excel

Excel has an exponential excel function called EXP function which is categorized as Math/Trig Function that returns a numeric value which is equal to e raised to the power of a given number.

Exponential Excel Formula

Exp function in Excel takes only one input which is required, it is the exponent value raised to base e.

What is e in Mathematics?

The number e is an irrational number, whose value is constant and is approximately equal to 2.7182. This is number is also known as Euler’s Number. The value of the number is calculated by the formula

How to Use EXP Function in Excel? (with Examples)

Like LOG function is used when the rate of change in the data increases or decreases quickly, the EXP function in Excel is used when data values rise or fall at increasingly higher rates.

In Excel, while working non-linear trend lines (set of points on an exponential excel function’s graph) or non-linear graphs EXP function in Excel is widely used.

An Exponential function in Excel is also used to calculate the growth and decay of a bacteria and microorganisms.

Exponential in Excel Example #1

Suppose we have a sample for organic solutions, the lab examiner at time t=0 hours puts one hundred bacteria into the solution in order to determine the suitable growth medium. After 5 hours, the examiner needs to calculate the count of bacteria. The growth rate of the bacteria in the given organic solution is 0.25/hour

For the rate of growth or decay, we have a formula

A=Pe^kt

Where A is the ending amount
P is the initial amount
t is the time of growth or decay
k is the rate of decay or growth

In this case, A= 500, t = 5 hours, k = 0.25, P=?

So in order to calculate the value of k in Excel, we have to use the exponential in excel and log function

P = A/e^kt

Therefore, P = A/EXP(k*t)

In Excel, the formula will be

=ROUND(D3+D3/(EXP(G3*F3)),0)

After 5 hours, the total number of bacteria in the given organic solution will be near around 129 in a count.

Exponential in Excel Example #2

We have a function f(x) that is an exponential function in excel given as y = ae^-2x where ‘a’ is a constant and for the given value of x we need to find the values of y and plot the 2D exponential functions graph.

The value of a is 0.05

To compute the value of y we will use the EXP function in excel so the exponential formula will be

=a* EXP(-2*x)

Applying the exponential formula with the relative reference we have

=$B$5*EXP(-2*B2

Applying the same exponential formula to other cells, we have

Plotting the exponential functions graph on the x-y axis we have the following graph for the above-given function and values

Exponential in Excel Example #3

Suppose we have the population data of 5 different cities given for the year 2001, and the rate of growth of the population in the given cities for 15 years was approximately 0.65%. We need to calculate the latest population of the given cities after 15 years.

For the rate of growth, we have the formula,

P = P₀*e^rt

Where P is the latest population (which we will calculate in this case)

P₀ is the initial population

r is the rate of growth

t is the time

Here, in this case, we have to calculate P for five different cities with the given rate of growth of 0.65

So in order to calculate the rate of growth of the population we will use the above population growth formula

In Excel to calculate the Exponential power we will further use the Exponential Function in Excel, so the exponential formula will be

=B2*EXP($F$1*$F$2)

Applying the same exponential formula in reference to other cities we have

Output:

The Exponential Function in Excel is also used for also calculating the probability distribution in the statistics also known as the exponential probability distribution. The exponential distribution deals with the amount of time for a specific event to occur.

The Exponential function in Excel is also used in the regressions linear modeling in the statistics.

Things to Remember About Exponential Function (EXP) in Excel

The Exponential function in Excel is often used with the Log function, for example, in case, if we want to find the rate of growth or decay, in that case, we will use the EXP and the LOG function together.

We can also use the POWER function in place of the Exponential function in Excel but the only difference is the measurement precision. While using the POWER function we can provide the of e as 2.71 or may be up to 3-4 decimal places, however, the EXP function in excel, in general, takes the value of e to 9 decimal places.

So, if are calculating an Exponential in excel Series, of dealing with non-linear exponential functions graph in which we have the Exponential value, it is better to use the EXP function in excel instead of the POWER function.

EXP function in excel always takes the numeric value as an input, if we provide any other input other than the numeric value it generates #NAME? Error.

While dealing with the complex Exponents, for example, =EXP(-(2.2/9.58)^2), one should be careful with the brackets, if we mess up with the brackets the output may differ from the actual output, so it should be =EXP(-((2,2/9,58)^2))

You can download this Exponential in Excel template here – Exponential Function Excel Template

Exponential Excel Function (EXP)