Question

Which scenario describes a pattern of exponential decay?

A. A corporation's revenue drops 10%, 9%, and 4% in 3 consecutive months.
B. It costs a customer $50 for each video game purchased
C. A basketball tournament has 0.5 times the number of teams in each successive round.
D. The membership of a club goes down by 3 members each year for 2 years.

Answer 1

Final answer:

Option C, which describes the number of basketball teams being halved in each successive round, represents a scenario of exponential decay, as it shows a consistent percentage decrease.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Exponential Decay

Exponential decay refers to a process where a quantity decreases at a rate proportional to its current value. Among the provided scenarios, C. A basketball tournament has 0.5 times the number of teams in each successive round is the one that describes a pattern of exponential decay. This scenario indicates that the number of teams is halved in each round, suggesting a consistent decrease by a certain percentage or factor (in this case, 50%), which is characteristic of exponential decay.

Comparatively, scenario A indicates a variable percentage decrease each month, not a consistent multiplicative decrease. Scenario B depicts a constant cost and does not involve a change over time. Scenario D demonstrates a linear decrease rather than a proportional or percentage-based decrease.

Answer 2

C

Step-by-step explanation:

The rest are based on time or based on money. (Which you don't know the rate of how often they buy.) I would chose C, if I'm wrong sorry.