exponential growth

exponential growth

[‚ek·spə′nen·chəl ′grōth]

(microbiology)

The period of bacterial growth during which cells divide at a constant rate. Also known as logarithmic growth.

(science and technology)

The increase of a quantity x with time t according to the equation x = Ka ^t , where K and a are constants, a is greater than 1, and K is greater than 0.

exponential growth

change in a variable (e.g. population – see MALTHUS) where the increase is geometric, i.e. at an increasing ratio.

exponential growth

Extremely fast growth. On a chart, the line curves up rather than being straight. Contrast with linear.