1. The problem is to draw the function $y = a^x$ where $a > 0$ and $a \neq 1$. 2. The general form of the exponential function is: $$y = a^x$$ where $a$ is the base and $x$ is the exponent. 3. Important rules: - If $a > 1$, the function is increasing. - If $0 < a < 1$, the function is decreasing. - The function passes through the point $(0,1)$ because $a^0 = 1$. 4. Since the user requested to draw it, the function to plot is: $$y = a^x$$ 5. The graph will have: - An intercept at $(0,1)$. - No extrema (no maximum or minimum points). 6. This is the simplest form of the exponential function and the graph shows exponential growth or decay depending on $a$. Final answer: The function to draw is $y = a^x$ with $a > 0$ and $a \neq 1$.