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.