1. The problem asks to determine when an exponential function is increasing or rising. 2. An exponential function is generally written as $$y = a^x$$, where $$a$$ is the base. 3. The behavior of the graph depends on the value of the base $$a$$: - If $$a > 1$$, the graph rises as $$x$$ increases (the function is increasing). - If $$a = 1$$, the function is constant and does not rise. - If $$a = 0$$, the function is zero for all $$x > 0$$ and undefined or zero elsewhere, not typically considered exponential. - If $$0 < a < 1$$, the graph decreases as $$x$$ increases (the function is decreasing). 4. Therefore, the graph of an exponential function is increasing or rising if the base is greater than 1. Final answer: The base is greater than 1.