explain the difference between exponential growth and exponential decay

Question

 explain the difference between exponential growth and exponential decay

Answer 1

This may be better understood by looking at an example.  Consider the function of time

 

f(t) = 10e^2t

 

As time increases, the value of f(t) increases without upper limit.  This is an example of exponential growth in time.

 

Now consider

 

g(t) = 10e^-2t

 

As time increases, the value of g(t) decreases, and approaches zero as time approaches infinity. This is an example of exponential decay in time.

 

Note the difference between growth and decay is in the sign of the power of e.

Answer 2

Growth is plants growing.

Decay is plants rotting.