The Nature of Mathematics, 12th Edition
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Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
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Section 10.3: Applications of Growth and Decay

10.3 Outline

A.  Growth/decay formula
B. Population growth
C. Radioactive decay
D.  Logarithmic scales
     1. Richter number
     2. Richter scale
     3. decibel
     4. decibel formula

10.3 Essential Ideas

Exponential growth or decay can be described by the equation
        
                                     A =Aoert

where r is the annual growth/decay rate, t is the time (in years), Ao is the amount present initially (present value) and A is the future value. If r is positive, this formula models growth and if r  is negative, the formula models decay.