Algebra 1- Exponential Growth & Decay

Question

How are exponential growth and decay present in the real world? Give at least 2 examples for exponential growth and 2 examples of exponential decay.

My Answer: I have only been able to think of one example of exponential growth which is hair growth. From 2012, the length of hair someone's hair grows 50% each year. In 2012, the person's hair length was 12 inches.

I'm not sure what else I can do for the second one.Also, I'm not sure what I can come up with for exponential decay. Can someone please help me?

Thank you, in advance! :)

Answer 1

Hi Alyce,

 

You are on the right track, but I think hair actually grows at a constant rate more or less. A couple things that usually grow exponentially are population and money (when put into an account with compounding interest). Things that decay exponentially are isotopes (half-life) and the energy in a spring after it is stretched out and then released.