Question

If a flowering tree is cared for properly, the number of blossoms produced on the tree will exponentially increase until the tree reaches maturity. Which graph could show y, the number of blossoms expected on a flowering tree, for each year after the young tree is planted, x?

A graph shows age of trees (years) labeled 1 to 10 on the horizontal axis and number of blossoms on the vertical axis. A line increases from 0 to 3 years then decreases from 3 to 7 years.
A graph shows age of trees (years) labeled 1 to 10 on the horizontal axis and number of blossoms on the vertical axis. A curved line increases from 0 to 8 years.
A graph shows age of trees (years) labeled 1 to 10 on the horizontal axis and number of blossoms on the vertical axis. A straight line increases from 0 to 9 years.
A graph shows age of trees (years) labeled 1 to 10 on the horizontal axis and number of blossoms on the vertical axis. A curved line decreases from 0 to 9 years.

Answer 1

The second graph: the curved line that increases from 0 to 8 years. Exponential growth is a (curved) increasing function, so the upward-curving graph matches “exponentially increase until maturity.”