This section provides examples of exponential growth.

This activity might not be viewable on your mobile device.Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.Population Models: Exponential, Logistic, Beverton-Holt

In order to see how exponential growth affects a population, click the link above and follow the directions below.

  1. Make sure only Exponential is checked In the middle of the bottom.
  2. Move the NaturalGrowth slider to 1.5.
  3. Move the StartingPopulation slider to 10.
  4. Click on Start and observe the graph.
  5. Click on Stop once the graph is out of view.
  6. Move the NaturalGrowth slider to 1.2 and see how it affects the population.
  7. Move the NaturalGrowth slider to 2 and see how it affects the population.

Answer the questions below in your notes.

  1. What happens when a population experiences exponential growth?

    Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

    Check Your Answer

    The population grows over time.Close Pop Up
  2. What is the population at the beginning of the experiment when Natural Growth was set at 1.5?

    Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

    Check Your Answer

    10Close Pop Up
  3. After 10 years, what was the population?

    Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

    Check Your Answer

    Approximately 600Close Pop Up
  4. For exponential growth to occur, the birth rate must be greater than ____ ?

    Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

    Check Your Answer

    1Close Pop Up