How to Use the Excel EXP Function - 5 Examples

The Excel EXP function is also known as exponential function.

Overview of Excel EXP Function

EXP Function in Excel: Syntax

Summary

The EXP function calculates and returns the value of the constant e raised to the power of a given number. Here, e is a numeric constant, and the value of constant e is approximately ≈ 2.71828.

The constant e denotes exponential growth and decay. The formula is e^x.

Syntax

EXP(number)

Arguments

Arguments	Required/Optional	Explanation
number	Required	The power that e is raised to

Return Value

The EXP function returns the constant e raised to the power of a number.

Example 1 – Using The EXP Function to Get e Raised to The Power of a Number

To find the value of the constant e raised to a given number, use the EXP function.

The EXP function is e^xor e^(number).

Pass -1 as the argument in the EXP function.

In D4, enter the following formula to get the exponential value of -1.

=EXP(B4)

B4 is the number.

Press ENTER, and the EXP function will return an exponential value of B4. Here, e is raised to -1.

Use the Fill Handle to get the e raised to the power of the other values.

You will get the value of e raised to 1: 2.718281828. It is known as the constant of e.

Example 2 – Using the Excel EXP Function to Get The Rate of Growth Or Decay

Use the EXP function with the ROUND function to calculate the growth and decay of bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms.

The dataset contains info on a virus.

To calculate the count of viruses after 7 hours:

The formula to calculate the rate of growth or decay is

A=Pe^kt

A = The ending amount that you want to calculate

P = The initial amount provided in the solution, 250

t = The time of growth or decay, 7 hours

k = The rate of decay or growth, 0.38

To calculate the ending amount of virus (A) after 7 hours, use A = P* EXP(k*t).

In D9, use the following formula to get the growth of the virus in a round figure.

=ROUND(D6*(EXP(D7*D8)),0)

In the ROUND function, (D6*(EXP(D7*D8) is used as number and 0 as num_digits.

In the EXP function, D7 and D8 are selected as numbers and multiplied to get the e raised value.

The exponential value is multiplied by D6 and the result is passed to the ROUND function to get the integer value.

Press ENTER and you will get the total number of viruses after 7 hours in the solution.

Example 3 – Calculating the Rapid Growth with The EXP Function in Excel

Use the sample dataset.

To calculate how many people were infected, use the mathematical equation,

N = N₀eᵃᵗ

N = Total number of infected people

a = Rate of infection

t = Time (you can use day, hours, years)

N₀ = Initial number of infected people

In D9, use the following formula to get the growth of the virus.

=C6*EXP(C7*C8)

In the EXP function, C7 and C8 are selected as numbers and multiplied to get the e raised value.

The exponential value is multiplied by C6 to get the number of infected people after 30 days.

Press ENTER to get the total number of infected people after 30 days.

You can use the ROUND function to get the round figure or only the integer number as described in Example 2.

Example 4 – Using the EXP Function to Calculate an Unknown Variable

Use the EXP function and plot a 2D graph.

The exponential equation is y = ae^.-2x.

The dataset shows the values of x and the slope denoted by a, which is the constant.

The formula is:

y =a* EXP(-2*x)

In C7, use the following formula.

=$E$4*EXP(-2*C6)

In the EXP function, C6 is selected and multiplied by -2 to get the e raised value.

The exponential value is multiplied by $E$4, which has the constant value of a. Here, an absolute reference was used in E4 as it is a constant value.