Mathematical problems involving growth or decay often require the application of exponential functions to find solutions. These problems typically present a real-world scenario, such as population growth, radioactive decay, compound interest, or the spread of a disease, and require determining an unknown quantity, like the population size after a certain period, the half-life of a substance, or the future value of an investment. For instance, a problem might ask how long it will take for a bacterial colony, initially consisting of 100 bacteria and doubling every hour, to reach a population of 1,000,000. Providing solutions alongside these problems is crucial for understanding the application of the underlying mathematical concepts and verifying the correctness of the solution approach.
Developing proficiency in solving these types of challenges is essential in numerous fields, including science, engineering, finance, and medicine. Understanding exponential growth and decay provides a framework for predicting future trends and making informed decisions based on quantitative data. Historically, the development of exponential functions has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of natural phenomena and has played a key role in scientific and technological progress, from calculating compound interest to modeling the spread of infectious diseases.
