Analyze the examples, telling whether or not the example can be modeled by a linear or exponential function and tell any specific characteristics about each example.

Question

Example 1

In the newspaper, Mr. Shields read that the population of Jefferson County was decreasing at a rate of 20% every year.

Example 2

Alec is paid $200 each month to mow the grass and remove unwanted plants from the garden. In addition, he earns $6.50 per hour for the number of hours he works as a dishwasher at the local diner.

Example 3

The PTA made $2,400 in ticket sales for their annual fundraiser. Adult tickets, a, are $6.00 and children's tickets, b, are half price.

Example 4

In an arcade game, stars are based on the number of space aliens that are hit. For example, for the first alien, 1 star is given, for the second alien, 2 stars are given, for 3 aliens, 4 stars are given, for 4 aliens, 8 stars are given. Each star is multiplied by 100 to determine the players score.

Answer 1

#1) P*1.20^t

exponential

#2)200 + 6.50*h

linear

#3) 2400 =6a +3b

800 = 2a+b

linear

#4) score =100*2^(n-1)

exponential