Final answer:
The exponential equation y = (1/3) * (1/4) represents a rate of decrease. The exact rate of decrease is given by y = (1/12).
Step-by-step explanation:
The exponential equation given is y = 1/3cdot 1/4. To find the rate of increase or decrease, we need to understand that an exponential equation represents growth or decay. In this case, the equation represents decay because the value is less than 1. The rate of decrease can be determined by comparing the base value (1) to the coefficient of the exponent (1/3 cdot 1/4). Since multiplying by a value less than 1 decreases the base value, the equation y = 1/3 cdot 1/4 represents a rate of decrease. To find the exact rate, we can simplify the equation to y = 1/12. This means that for every input value, the output will be one twelfth of the previous value, resulting in a decrease.