exponential

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Expressed in terms of an exponent (power of a base), the base often being 10 or e.

   • In base-10 exponential form, 1,000,000 is written as 10⁶.
   • If not otherwise specified, "the" exponential function is normally understood to mean eˣ.
2. 2

   Characterised by a rate of change that is proportional to the value of the varying…

   Characterised by a rate of change that is proportional to the value of the varying quantity, or, equivalently, by a doubling or halving over successive fixed intervals of time or other parameter, described as exponential growth or exponential decay.

   • There were two deaths on Monday, four on Tuesday, and eight on Wednesday. The rate of increase seems exponential.
   • ... Students apply the definition of slope to various representations of growth functions to discover differences between exponential and constant rate of growth.
3. 3

   Characterised by a very rapid rate of change, especially increase, or merely a very large…

   Characterised by a very rapid rate of change, especially increase, or merely a very large amount or degree.

   • Near-synonyms: extreme, huge
   • There's been an exponential rise in the number of crimes reported this year, compared to last year.
   • If loans are not what you are looking for, then search for scholarships [...] I have been putting together scholarship letters for parents over the past decade, and there is an exponential amount of money to be had.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Any function that has an exponent as an independent variable.

The neighborhood

• antonymnonexponential