Many real world phenomena exhibit exponential growth and decay.
Below is an image of a graph and its associated data table. This represents a record of the amount of carbon dioxide pollution in the air for Mauna Loa, Hawaii, from 1955 to 2005. The amount of carbon dioxide (measured in parts per million) fluctuates, increasing during some years and decreasing during other years.
Based on the information provided by the graph and data set above, answer the following questions:
- Does this graph and table show exponential growth or decay?
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- What does that tell you about the pollution over the years?
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The website linked below provides several real world examples of exponential growth and decay in the form of data sets.
Investigate the data sets and and their associated graphs more in depth by clicking the "Data Set" link left of the name of the study:
Exponential Growth and Decay Data
Below is a list of studies that reflect those found on the website. Which of the following studies' graphs and tables showed exponential growth? Which showed exponential decay?
- Spokane R. Trout Biometrics (#023)
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- Earth’s Atmosphere: Pressure vs. Altitude (#024)
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- Earth’s Atmosphere: Humidity vs. Temperature (#026)
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- Swedish Agriculture Nitrogen Input vs. Time (#030)
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- Cows and Fecal Coliform Water Contamination (#045)
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- Tree Ring Widths in a Douglas Fir (#056)
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- Raging River Discharge (#071)
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