The Szász and Baskakov approximation operators are given by1.11.2respectively. For continuous functions on [0, ∞) with exponential growth (i.e. ‖ƒ‖A ≡ supx\ƒ(x)e–Ax\ < M) the modulus of continuity is defined by1.3where ƒ ∈ Lip* (∝, A) for some 0 < ∝ ≦ 2 if w2(ƒ, δ, A) ≦ Mδ∝ for all δ < 1. We shall find a necessary and sufficient condition on the rate of convergence of An(ƒ, x) (representing Sn(ƒ, x) or Vn(ƒ, x)) to ƒ(x) for ƒ(x) ∈ Lip* (∝, A). In a recent paper of M. Becker [1] such conditions were found for functions of polynomial growth (where (1 + \x\N)−1 replaced e–Ax in the above). M. Becker explained the difficulties in treating functions of exponential growth.