Population Dynamics
Exponential Growth
Growth at a constant percentage rate, producing a J-shaped curve where larger populations grow faster in absolute terms. The population doubles in fixed time intervals.
Biological Context
Populations with abundant resources grow exponentially: bacteria doubling every 20 minutes, rabbits multiplying without predators. Exponential growth is unsustainable—it inevitably hits resource limits. Understanding when and why exponential growth occurs or fails is crucial for ecology and economics.
Business Application
Startups in new markets often experience exponential growth until they hit market saturation or resource constraints. Recognizing when exponential growth will transition to logistic growth is critical for planning.