Power functions have the form f(x) = ax^b, where a and b are real constants. The variable x can take on all real number values. Power functions should not be confused with exponential functions, which have the similar looking form f(x) = ab^x. The variable x appears in the exponent in an exponential function, whereas x is the base of a power function. Some familiar power functions are y = x², y = x³, y = 2x^3/2,and y = x^-1.2. The exponent b determines basic shape of the power function graph. If b = 0 or b = 1, then y = ax^b is not really a power function; these are so-called degenerate cases because the function "degenerates" into the constant function y = a or the linear function y = ax. If b is greater than 1, then the graph of y = ax^b is increasing and concave up as x grows...