Question

This year, 115,000 cars are expected to use the toll road near Plain Valley. Next year, the number of cars using it is expected to increase by 20%. Assuming the same growth continues, you can use a function to approximate the number of cars that will use the toll road x years from now.
Write an equation for the function. If it is linear, write it in the form h(x)=mx+b. If it is exponential, write it in the form h(x)=a(b)x.

Answer 1

The growth is exponential (20% per year).
h(x) = 115000(1.20)^x, where h(x) is the number of cars x years from now.

(For example, h(1) = 115000·1.20 = 138000 cars.)