Exponential Growth And Decay Worksheet

By | January 22, 2026

Exponential growth and decay are fundamental concepts in mathematics and have wide-ranging applications in various fields, including finance, biology, physics, and even social sciences. Understanding these concepts is crucial for making informed decisions and predictions in real-world scenarios. To solidify your grasp on exponential growth and decay, working through practice problems is essential. This post provides a comprehensive overview of exponential growth and decay worksheets and offers the answers to commonly encountered problems, helping you to master this important topic.

Understanding Exponential Growth and Decay

Before diving into the answers, let’s briefly review the core principles of exponential growth and decay. Both phenomena are characterized by a rate of change that is proportional to the current amount. However, they differ in the direction of that change.

Exponential Growth: This occurs when a quantity increases over time at an accelerating rate. The formula for exponential growth is:

y = a(1 + r)^t

Where:
* y = the final amount
* a = the initial amount
* r = the growth rate (expressed as a decimal)
* t = the time

Exponential Decay: This occurs when a quantity decreases over time at a decelerating rate. The formula for exponential decay is:

y = a(1 – r)^t

Where:
* y = the final amount
* a = the initial amount
* r = the decay rate (expressed as a decimal)
* t = the time

Alternatively, exponential decay is often represented using a half-life model:

y = a(1/2)^(t/h)

Where:
* y = the final amount
* a = the initial amount
* t = the time
* h = the half-life (the time it takes for the quantity to reduce to half its original value)

Identifying whether a problem involves growth or decay is the first step. Keywords like “increase,” “double,” “growth rate,” often indicate growth, while words like “decrease,” “halve,” “decay rate,” point to decay.

Exponential Growth and Decay Worksheet Answers

Here are the solutions to some common exponential growth and decay problems you might find on a worksheet. Please note that these are examples, and your specific worksheet may have different questions. Always show your work for full credit on assignments!

Example Problems and Solutions

Below are a few common problems and how to solve them.

  1. Problem 1: Population Growth A city’s population is currently 100,000 and is growing at a rate of 3% per year. What will the population be in 10 years?

    Solution:

    • a = 100,000
    • r = 0.03
    • t = 10

    Using the formula: y = a(1 + r)^t

    y = 100,000(1 + 0.03)^10

    y = 100,000(1.03)^10

    y ≈ 134,392

    Answer: The population will be approximately 134,392 in 10 years.

  2. Problem 2: Radioactive Decay A radioactive substance has a half-life of 50 years. If you start with 200 grams, how much will remain after 150 years?

    Solution:

    • a = 200
    • t = 150
    • h = 50

    Using the formula: y = a(1/2)^(t/h)

    y = 200(1/2)^(150/50)

    y = 200(1/2)^3

    y = 200(1/8)

    y = 25

    Answer: There will be 25 grams remaining after 150 years.

  3. Problem 3: Compound Interest You invest $1000 in an account that earns 5% interest compounded annually. How much will you have after 20 years?

    Solution: This is essentially exponential growth.

    • a = 1000
    • r = 0.05
    • t = 20

    Using the formula: y = a(1 + r)^t

    y = 1000(1 + 0.05)^20

    y = 1000(1.05)^20

    y ≈ 2653.30

    Answer: You will have approximately $2653.30 after 20 years.

  4. Problem 4: Depreciation A car is purchased for $25,000 and depreciates at a rate of 12% per year. What will its value be after 5 years?

    Solution:

    • a = 25,000
    • r = 0.12
    • t = 5

    Using the formula: y = a(1 – r)^t

    y = 25,000(1 – 0.12)^5

    y = 25,000(0.88)^5

    y ≈ 13,193.31

    Answer: The car’s value will be approximately $13,193.31 after 5 years.

Remember to always identify the given values (initial amount, rate, time) and choose the appropriate formula (growth or decay). Carefully convert percentages to decimals before plugging them into the formulas. Finally, pay attention to the units of time to ensure consistency throughout the problem. With practice, you’ll become proficient in solving exponential growth and decay problems.

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