Exponential Recursion Rate of Change and Logistic Curves Task

Name:_____________________________

Date:____________

This task will discuss two connected concepts. First, we will discover a pattern that is
involved with the rate of change of an exponential function. Second, we will use our knowledge
of exponential recursion and logistic curves to model real world logistic functions.
Exponential Rate of Change
x
1. Consider the exponential function y 3 . Fill in the chart below by identifying the
corresponding y-value, the difference in your y-values ( Vy ), and the common ratio
between the values in your change in y column.
x
y
Common Ratio
Change in y ( Vy )

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
x

1
y
2 . Fill in the chart below by identifying
2. Now consider the exponential function
the corresponding y-value, the difference in your y-values ( Vy ), and the common ratio
between the values in your change in y column.
x
y
Common Ratio
Change in y ( Vy )
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
3. What pattern do you notice about the rate of change of the y values of both the
exponential functions from problems 1 and 2?
Logistic Curves

4. Through completing the Walking Dead task, we have learned of the general shape and
purpose of a logistic function model. Draw a picture of a logistic curve and give a reason
why you might see a logistic curve in real life.
Picture:

Reason:

Recall that a logistic curve increases rather quickly, similar to an exponential function. It
then begins to increase at a slower rate and lastly levels off and remains at a constant rate. In the
Walking Dead task, we discovered that this speed adjustment was due to a limitation on the
population of living people. In order to take this limitation into account, we need to introduce a
new formula. To use this formula, you need your rate of growth or decay, the stated maximum
P
P
value, and your previous term ( n 1 ) to find the term you are looking for ( n ).
Pn

rate
gPn 1 ( Maximum Pn 1 ) Pn 1
Maximum

5. Given the following rates, starting points, and maximum values, find the 15th term of each
corresponding sequence.
a. Rate: 20%

Maximum: 2000

P1 = 3

P15 = _________

b. Rate: 5%

Maximum: 1000

P1 = 3.5

P15 = _________

c. Rate: 0.5

Maximum: 10000

P1 = 12

P15 = _________

Use the formula and answer the following questions by hand or by using the calculator steps that
you recently learned.

6. The number of fleas in my dogs hair is growing exponentially. There were initially 2
fleas, and the population of fleas grows at 12% per day. The carrying capacity of my
dogs hair is 1000 fleas.
a. Write a recursive formula for the number of fleas in her hair.
b. How many fleas are in her hair after 10 days?
c. When will there be 800 fleas in her hair?

7. The population of gnomes in my garden grows exponentially. The unrestricted growth

rate for gnomes is 0.3 per year. My garden will only hold a maximum of 150 gnomes.
The initial population of gnomes was 7.
a. Write a recursive formula for the number of gnomes in my garden after n years.

b. How many gnomes are there after 10 years?

c. When will there be 100 gnomes in my garden?

8. A new virus has attacked the city of Valdosta and it is growing exponentially. The virus is
growing at a rate of 3% per day. The total population of the city of Valdosta is 54518. On
the first day, 2 people contracted the virus.
a. Write a recursive formula that represents the amount of Valdostians that have the virus.

b. How many people will have the virus after 20 days?

c. When will the entire Valdosta population be infected?