In exponential functions of the form $f(x) = a \cdot b^x$:

1. $a$ represents the initial amount or starting value (the value of the function when $x = 0$).
2. $b$ represents the base or growth/decay factor (which determines the rate of change; $b > 1$ indicates growth, and $0 < b < 1$ indicates decay).

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Would you like more examples or a deeper explanation? Here are some related questions:

1. How do you identify the values of $a$ and $b$ from a graph?
2. What happens to an exponential function when $a$ or $b$ changes?
3. Can $b$ ever be negative? Why or why not?
4. How do exponential functions differ from linear functions?
5. What are real-world applications of exponential growth and decay?

Tip: Always check the base $b$; it tells you whether the function is increasing or decreasing.