The equation given, \( a(t) = 5,000(1.12)^t \), represents exponential growth. In this case, the amount \( a \) increases as \( t \) (the number of years) increases.
For exponential functions, the growth appears to be slow at first, but as time passes, the growth rate accelerates, resulting in a more rapid increase in the later years.
Therefore, the true statement regarding the graph of the function is:
Option #1: As t increases, a increases slowly at first and then quickly.