Rodriguez, Cheryl Ann D.

- ICTSHS101

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In real world situations , the best thing about exponential functions is that
they are so useful. Exponential functions, as well as many other applications, are
used to model populations, carbon date artifacts, help coroners determine time
of death, compute investments.

The human population is increasing exponentially. As of February 2019, the

total population of the world exceeded 7.71 billion, and the numbers are amplifying
day-by-day. However, in some areas, growth is slow or the population is on the
verge of decline. China is the most populous country and India ranks second. It is,
however, estimated that India will lead the world by 2030.
Rodriguez, Cheryl Ann D. - ICTSHS101

Many times scientists will start with a certain number of bacteria or animals
and watch how the population grows. For example, if the population doubles every
5 days, this can be represented as an exponential function. Most population models
involve using the number e.
Population models can occur two ways. One way is if we are given an
exponential function. The second way involves coming up with an exponential
equation based on information given. Let’s look at each of these separately.

Example:
The population of a city is P = 250,342e0.012t where t = 0 represents the
population in the year 2000.
Find the population of the city in the year 2010.
To find the population in the year 2010, we need to let t = 10 in our given
equation.
P = 250,342e0.012(10) = 250,342e0.12 = 282,259.82
Since we are dealing with the population of a city, we normally round to a
whole number, in this case 282,260 people.
Find the population of the city in the year 2015.
To find the population in the year 2015, we need to let t = 15.
P = 250,342e0.012(15) = 250,342e0.18 = 299,713.8
We’ll round this answer to 299,714 people.
Find when the population will be 320,000.
We know the population in the year 2015 is almost 300,000 from our work
in part (b). Therefore, it makes sense that the answer has to be higher than 2015.
Remember that P in the equation represents the population value, which we are
given to be 320,000. Only now we do not know the time value t. The equation we
need to solve is
320,000 = 250,342e0.012(t)
Rodriguez, Cheryl Ann D. - ICTSHS101

References:
https://studiousguy.com/real-life-examples-exponential-growth/
http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_ExponentsAp
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