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# Growth and Decay

A factor becomes exponential when it rapidly increases or decreases at the same rate . In algebra, students often confuse exponential equations with quadratic equations. In a quadratic equation, the power is given but its base is not defined:

The equation is quadratic because the base 'x' is not defined but its power is defined as '2' .

However, in exponential equations, the base is given but the power is not defined:

The equation is exponential because the base is given as '2' while its power 'x' is undefined .

The general algebraic equation of an exponential function is:

Where a is not equal to 0, b is the base and a positive real number not equal to 1, and x is the exponent.

Note that the base of an exponential expression is called a multiplier .

Exponential growth and exponential decay are two types of exponential functions.

## What is exponential growth and decay?

Exponential growth takes place when the amount of a substance increases at the same rate within equal time frames.

Examples include the multiplication of bacteria, a population of people etc. However, exponential decay happens when the amount of a substance reduces at the same rate over equal time intervals.

### Identifying exponential growth and exponential decay?

Exponential growth and decay can be distinguished from each other or identified mathematically.

If you consider the general formula:

When a is a positive value and 'b' is the base greater than 1, then it is exponential growth. For example:

note that b = 2, and 2> 1

or

note that b = 3, and 3> 1

Meanwhile, when a is positive and 'b' is less than 1, then it is exponential decay. For example:

note that b = 0.2, and 0.2 <1

or

note that b = 0.3, and 0.3 <1

Note that in cases where a is negative, it is neither an exponential growth nor decay.

### Examples of Exponential Equations

Calculate the value of the expression when x = 2.

#### Solutions:

Substitute the value of x as 2 in

= 25

evaluate when x = 4

#### Solutions:

Substitute the value of x as 4 in the expression

Recall that exponentials are to be solved before multiplication

= 81

= 810

## Exponential growth and decay graphs

Introducing graphs into exponential growth and decay shows what growth or decay looks like. In both cases, you choose a range of values, for example, from -4 to 4. These values will be plotted on the x-axis; the respective y values will be calculated by using the exponential equation.

Also, do not forget that the b value in the exponential equation determines if it is a growth or decay. For b > 1, it is a growth; and for b <1, it is a decay. To help you remember, the b value is in bold in all equations.

### Examples of exponential growth and decay graphs

#### Example 1:

Graph the exponential equation

#### Solutions:

Remember to choose a range of values for your x coordinates like -4 to 4 in this case.

 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 y

So, we need to solve for the value of y. Remember that

When x = -4

(note that indices, an exponent with a negative sign gives an inverse of the expression )

y = 1/81

Repeat this step for the values x = -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and your answer would be 1/27, 1/9, 1/3, 1, 3, 9 , 27 and 81.

Now you can complete your table:

 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 1/81 1/27 1/9 1/3 1 3 9 27 81

You can see that the y values increase from the left to the right of the table. This means that there has been growth . Go ahead and plot the graph below:

A graph of exponential growth for b> 1

From the exponential growth graph, the following can be observed:

The graph increases steeply as the value of x becomes positive.

There is no x-intercept as the curve fails to intersect with the x-axis even as y values come close to the x-axis.

The curve intersects the y-axis at 1. So, the y-intercept is 1 (where the x value is 0).

#### Example 2:

Graph the exponential equation

#### Solutions:

Remember to choose a range of values for your x coordinates like -4 to 4 in this case.

 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 y

So, we need to solve for the value of y. Recall that

When x = -4

(note that indices, an exponent with a negative sign gives an inverse of the expression )

y = 81

Repeat this step for the values x = -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and your answer would be 27, 9, 3, 1, 1/3, 1/9, 1/27 and 1/81.

Now you can complete your table:

 x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 81 27 9 3 1 1/3 1/9 1/27 1/81

A quick look tells you that the y values decrease . This means that there has been decay . Go ahead and plot the graph below:

A graph showing exponential decay for b <1

The following can be understood from the exponential decay graph:

• The curve decreases as the value of x increases.
• Like the growth graph, there is no x-intercept.
• The curve intersects the y-axis at 1 when x is 0. The y-intercept is 1.

Let's plot exponential graphs with the function for exponential .

If you follow all the steps which have been explained earlier, your graph should look like this:

A graph of exponential growth for a> 1 and b> 1

Let's look at a combination of the exponential equations in the graph below:

A graph showing the increasing effect of a = 2 on an exponential growth curve

You will observe that both equations follow the same pattern of increase with no x-intercepts but with y-intercepts = 1 and 2 in the respective equation. This is easily observed when you compare tables of these equations; when x = 0, y = 1 in the first equation and y = 2 in the second equation. Also, we note that the curve has been increased by a multiplying factor of 2 in the curve .

We would make another comparison between when a in the equation is positive and negative.

Let's consider these two equations:

other

Study the graph below:

A graph showing a comparison between positive and negative a values

From the graph above, we note that for positive values of a the y values are positive (y> 0). However, when a is negative, y gives a negative result (y <0).

## Simple applications of exponential growth and decay

In applying the idea of exponential growth and decay, little changes will be made to the general formula:

remember that b is the base that represents the growth factor or decay factor. this will be:

b = 1 + r for exponential growth

or

b = 1 - r for exponential decay

1 represents 100% and r represents the rate of increase in percentage.

Also, x will be changed to t which represents the time interval . Thus, the general equation changes to:

for exponential growth

or

for exponential decay

where y is the final amount, a is the starting value, r is the rate of increase and t is the time interval.

Note that the expression 1 + r or 1 - r is also referred to as the multiplier .

### Examples of simple applications of exponential growth and decay

#### Example 1:

James bought $200 worth of stock from an automobile company in Japan at the end of the year, and it is expected that the stock value is to increase by 25% annually. a. Derive an exponential function that expresses James' stock value in t years b. After 6 years, Mary purchased all of the same stock owned by James for$1000. How much has James gained or lost?

Solutions:

a. To decide what formula to apply, you need to know if there is an increase or decrease in the rate. In this case, there is a 25% increase.

So, we apply

Let's define components of the formula

y is not given

#### Solutions:

P=$30,000 r = 8% = 0.08 n = quarterly = 4 t = 5 years A =$30,000 (1 +0.02) 20

A = $30,000 (1.02) 20 A =$30,000 (1.4859)

A = $44,578 to the nearest dollars . ### Exponential decay in depreciation and appreciation When the value of a product falls, it is said to have depreciated. However, if the value of a product rises, we say it has appreciated. The principle of exponential decay is applied in depreciation and appreciation. You should use the formula: for depreciation A = the depreciated amount V = current value of the product r = rate n = the duration of time in years or for appreciation; but, A = appreciated amount In 2016, a Toyota Tundra truck was bought for$34,000 by Imisi with an annual depreciation rate of 20%. What would Imisi's truck be worth in 2021?

#### Solutions:

v=$34,000 r = 20% = 0.2 n = 2021 - 2016 = 5 years A =$34,000 (1 - 0.2)

Look into the exponent 5 throughout and make corrections

A = $A =$34,000 (0.3277)

A = $11,141 to the nearest dollar. ## Growth and Decay - Key takeaways • Exponential growth and decay enable us to find the rate of rapid increase or decrease. • The general algebraic formula for exponential growth and decay is: • b = 1 + r in exponential growth while b = 1 - r in exponential decay. • In exponential growth, b> 1 and a is a positive number. But in exponential decay b <1 and a is a positive number. • Exponential growth is applied in real life to calculate compound interest, population increase in humans and parasites. • Exponential decay is applied in determining depreciation, the half-life of elements as well as the life span of organisms. ## Frequently Asked Questions about Growth and Decay Exponential growth is the rapid increase in the quantity of a substance while exponential decay is the rapid fall in the amount of a substance. You graph an exponential growth or decay equation by using a range of values like -4 to 4 for the value of x. Then you substitute the x values in the exponential equation to derive the y values in a table. A graph is then plotted between the x values and respective y values. The difference between exponential growth and decay is that growth involves the increase in quantity by an exponential function. Meanwhile, decay involves the decrease in quantity by an exponential function. The general formula for exponential growth and decay is y = ab^x You calculate exponential growth by using the formula y = (1+r)^x but in exponential decay, use y = (1-r)^x An exponential function is an equation that shows how a quantity rises or falls rapidly. It takes the form: a = b^c ## Final Growth and Decay Quiz Question Scott makes a$9,000 investment at a rate of 6%, which is to be compounded every 4 months. What is the value of his investment after 5 years to the nearest dollar?

$12,113 Show question Question A plot of land at Berger Quarry is sold for$2,000. With a yearly appreciation rate of 27%, how much would Ireti need to purchase 2 plots of land in 8 years' time?

\$27,000 to the nearest thousand dollars.

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Question

An average mango plant starts bearing fruit after 8 years if it grows at 78% yearly. What would be the height of Shannon's nursery when it bears its first fruits if it is 1ft currently?

100ft to the nearest hundred feet.

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