To correctly compare the growth rates of the functions \( h(x) = 1.2x \) (which represents linear growth) and \( j(x) = 1.2^x \) (which represents exponential growth), Liam should focus on their respective growth behaviors.
The correct statement is:
Liam should compare the rates of change of the terms in both sequences. The growth rate of \( j(x) = 1.2^x \) will quickly surpass the growth rate of \( h(x) = 1.2x \).
This is because exponential functions grow faster than linear functions as \( x \) increases. Therefore, as \( x \) becomes larger, the terms in the sequence defined by \( j(x) \) will quickly outpace those of the sequence defined by \( h(x) \).