For an exponential function in the form of y=ab to the power of x , if b is between 0 and 1, what happens to the graph of the function as x increases? a. the graph gets closer to the x-axis. b. the graph gets closer to the y-axis. c. the graph curves up away from the x-axis. d. the graph curves down away from the x-axis.

The answer is A, because if b is equal to one then no matter what x is the answer on the y-axis would be one, since one to any power is one. If b is less than one, for example 0.5, then the result will get smaller as x increases. It would go 0.5^(1), then 0.5^(2)=0.25, and continue to get smaller, therefore getting closer to the x-axis.

For example a stands for the number of adult tickets, and s stands for the number of student tickets.

Write a system of equation based on the problem
An equation for "A total of 679 tickets were sold for the school play"
∴ a + s = 679 (first equation)
An equation for "there were 71 fewer student tickets sold than adult tickets"
∴ s = a - 71 (second equation)

Find the solution of the system
Subtitute s with a - 71 in the first equation to find the value of a
a + s = 679
a + a - 71 = 679
2a - 71 = 679
2a = 679 + 71
2a = 750
  a = 750/2
  a = 375
The number of adult tickets sold is 375