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
Exponential growth refers to an increase that becomes more rapid in proportion to the growing total number or size - it grows faster as it gets larger.
Related terms
Doubling Time: The period of time required for a quantity to double in size or value. Like how long it takes for our snowball to become twice its original size.
Compound Interest: Interest on a loan or deposit calculated based on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. It's like our snowball gaining more 'interest' (snow) as it rolls down because of its increasing size.
Logistic Growth: When population growth decreases as resources become scarce, leveling off when carrying capacity is reached; S-shaped curve. Like if our snowball starts picking up less and less new snow because there’s not much left on the ground.