The hair on your head is a linear function, the water flow over Niagara falls is a linear function. The stock market prices by 75% is an exponential function.
How to identify linear function or exponential equation when used in word problems.
The identification of a linear function when use in word problems shows that the rate of change in discussion is usually constant all through. As such their graphs are usually a straight-line graphs when plotted.
On the other hand, an exponential equation is a situation whereby the rate is changing in proportion with the present value.
In the given information;
If the hair grows at an half inch per month, it shows a constant rate of a change, hence it is linear function.
The approximate 3.24 billion gallons of water shows that the flow of the water is constant over the span of time, Hence it is linear function.
The stock market price of 75% shows that the stock market reduction is proportional to the present value, Hence it is not constant and it is an exponential function.