Exponentials 04/10/2025
Learning Objectives:
Understand what an exponential is
Able to solve real life problems involving exponential growth and
decay
Able to solve problems involving exponential graphs
Exponentials
If something grows ‘exponentially’, it is being multiplied each
time
The rate at which the initial amount increases or decreases is
often known as the ‘growth ratio’.
Example: The population of Knapsford in 2015 was 3800 and is
believed to be grow at a rate of 1.5% a year.
a) Calculate the population of Knapsford in 2016 and 2017.
b) Estimate the population of Knapsford in 2025 if the population keeps on
growing at the same rate
Exponentials
Example: The population of Knapsford in 2010 was 3800 and is
believed to be grow at a rate of 1.5% a year.
a) Calculate the population of Knapsford in 2011 and 2012.
Growth ratio, r =
2011:1.015
3800 x 1.015 =3857
2012: 3857 x 1.015 =3914.855 3914
b) Estimate the population of Knapsford in 2025 if the population keeps on
growing at the same rate Let a = the initial population
So in 2025:
2010 = a
2011 = a x r = ar1 2025 = ar15
2012 = a x r x r = ar2 = 3800 x 1.01515
2013 = a x r x r x r = = 4750.88 (2dp) 4750
ar3
Exponentials
Example 2:
The population of a form of algae is believed to grow
exponentially.
On day 1 the population of algae was 2240
By day 4 it increased to 35000.
Calculate the population of the algae by day 10.
Exponentials
First work out the growth
Day 1 = 2240 ratio by writing out a
Day 2 = 2240 x r ‘storyline’
Day 3 = 2240 x r x r = 2240r2
Day 4 = 2240 x r x r x r = 2240r3
2240r3 = 35000
r3 = 15.625 Use this to work out the value
you’re looking for
r = 2.5
Notice the power of r is
Day 10 = 2240 x 2.59 = 8,544,921always one less than the day
number!
Exponentials – Your turn – MWBs
On day 1 of a viral campaign, a website gets 12000 visitors.
By day 3 the website was receiving 38,880 visitors.
Assuming the number of visitors to the website is increasing
exponentially, how many visitors should the website expect to
receive at the end of the first week?
Day 1 = 12000 12000r2 = 38880 Day 7 = 12000 x 1.86
Day 2 = 12000r r2 = 3.24 = 408,146
Day 3 = 12000r2 r = 1.8
Exponentials – Graphs
An exponential graph takes the form and looks as follows:
𝑥
𝑦 =2
Exponentials – Graphs
Example:
The diagram on the right shows the
curve of
It passes through the points A (0,
4), B (2, 16) and C (5, p)
C (5, p)
Find the value of p.
A (0, 4) B (2, 16)
Exponentials – Graphs
To find p we need to
know a and b first
Start with point A,
where x = 0 and y = 4
Equation is
4=a
Now use this to
find p:
Now use point B to find
b
Exponentials
The diagram on the right shows the
curve of
It passes through the points A (0, 5),
B (3, p) and C (4, 1280)
Find the value of p.
C (4,
1280)
A (0, 5) B (3, p)
Exponentials – Graphs
At point A, x = 0 & y =
5
5=a
Equation is
At point C, x = 4 and
y = 1280
Exponentials - MASTERMIND 04/10/202
5
A 4-digit code has been randomly chosen using the digits 1 – 6. A digit
may have been used more than once.
Your task is to crack the code. To have a guess at the code, you must get an
answer correct from the sheet of questions.
After each question, write your answer and guess at the code below.
You will only be told how many digits you have correct and if any are in the
correct place, but not which ones!
You have 10 guesses!
