Exponential & Logarithmic Models

01Exponential & Logarithmic Models

Growth & Decay

This section covers exponential growth and decay, modelling contexts and rewriting expressions using base e.

Recognising a growth or decay model

Exponential modelling represents changing real-world quantities with exponential growth or decay formulae.

With A>0A>0 and k>0k>0, the standard modelling forms are:

  • Growth: y=Aekty=Ae^{kt} increases, with the curve becoming steeper as time passes.
  • Decay: y=Ae−kty=Ae^{-kt} decreases, with the curve flattening towards y=0y=0.

Both models give y=Ay=A at t=0t=0. With the convention k>0k>0, the sign in the exponent distinguishes growth from decay.

Model typeTypical applications
GrowthIncreasing populations; an investment growing through compound interest.
DecayRadioactive material; a drug leaving the bloodstream; depreciation of a car.
tyOAy=Aekty=Ae¡kt
Schematic models with the same starting amount AA and k>0k>0.

Rewriting with base e

For a positive base aa, an expression of the form axa^x can be rewritten as ekxe^{kx} for a suitable constant kk.

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