Final answer:
The function F(x) = 350(.97)^x represents exponential decay, not growth, because the base of the exponent, .97, is less than 1, causing the value to decrease over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function F(x) = 350(.97)x does not represent exponential growth; rather, it represents exponential decay. In an exponential growth model, the base of the exponent (the number being raised to the power of x) should be greater than 1, meaning that the quantity is increasing over time. In the given function, the base is .97, which is less than 1. This indicates that each step in x is a multiplication by .97, resulting in a decrease, or decay, not growth.
To further illustrate exponential growth, consider if the function were F(x) = 350(1.03)x. Here, the base is 1.03, which is greater than 1, indicating a growth rate of 3% per time unit. In contrast, the base .97 in the original function suggests a decline of 3% per time unit.