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.
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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