Question

Does the function represent growth or decay y = 24(. 8)*
Please help

Answer 1

Answer: Decay

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Reason:

One common template for exponential functions is
`y = a*b^x`

'a' is the starting or initial value.

The b is the base of the exponent, and it directly affects if we have growth or decay.

If b > 1, then we have growth. If 0 < b < 1, then we have decay.

In this case, b = 0.8 which fits the second interval mentioned. This is why we have decay. Each time x increases by 1, we're taking 80% of the previous y value, and therefore y gets smaller.

If you graphed this, then you should see a curve going downhill as you move to the right. The graph is shown below. The red curve approaches the x axis, but never actually gets there. So it is an asymptote.