Question

Does each function describe exponential growth or decay?

Drag and drop the equations into the boxes to correctly complete the table.
Growth
Decay
y = 250(1 + 0.004)^t
y = 426(0.98)^t
y = 12,000(1/2) ^t

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

• growth
• decay
• decay

Explanation:

An exponential function will describe growth if the base of the (positive) exponent is greater than 1. It will describe decay of the base is less than 1.

y = 250(1 + 0.004)^t . . . . . 1.004 > 1 ⇒ growth

y = 426(0.98)^t . . . . . . . . . 0.98 < 1 ⇒ decay

y = 12,000(1/2) ^t . . . . . . . 1/2 < 1 ⇒ decay