Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The logistic growth model is a mathematical equation that describes how a population grows over time when it is limited by resources. It takes into account both the exponential growth phase and the leveling off phase.
This term refers to how quickly or slowly something is changing. In the context of logistic growth model, it represents how fast or slow a population is growing at any given point.
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support. In logistic growth model, it is the point where population growth levels off because resources become limited.
Exponential growth occurs when a quantity increases at an increasingly faster rate over time. It is the initial phase of logistic growth model before leveling off occurs.