Discussion for Exponential Growth and Decay Discussion
How are exponential growth and decay present in the real world? Give 4 examples for exponential growth and 4 examples of exponential decay.
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anonymous
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Exponential growth and decay are very common in the real world and can be observed in a variety of situations.
Examples of exponential growth:
1. Population growth: In a growing population, the number of individuals increases exponentially over time as each generation produces more offspring.
2. Compound interest: When money is invested or borrowed with compound interest, the amount of money grows exponentially as interest is continually added to the principal.
3. Epidemic spread: In a contagious disease outbreak, the number of infected individuals can grow exponentially as each infected person spreads the disease to others.
4. Digital technology: The number of users or devices connected to the internet can grow exponentially as technology advances and more people gain access to devices.
Examples of exponential decay:
1. Radioactive decay: The decay of radioactive isotopes follows an exponential decay pattern, with the amount of radioactive material decreasing rapidly over time.
2. Drug metabolism: The concentration of a drug in the body can decrease exponentially as it is metabolized and eliminated from the body.
3. Exponential cooling: The rate at which a hot object cools down can follow an exponential decay pattern as the temperature difference between the object and its surroundings decreases.
4. Star brightness: The brightness of a dying star can decrease exponentially as it runs out of fuel and gradually loses its luminosity.