In this lesson, students study a situation characterized by exponential change and learn the term growth factor. They represent this relationship using a table, an expression, and a graph. They also explain the meaning of the numbers and in an exponential expression , identifying their meaning in terms of a context ( is the initial amount, and is the multiplier or growth factor) and also in terms of a graph (where is the vertical intercept, and determines how quickly the graph increases). Students interpret the different representations of growth in terms of a bacteria population (MP2).

There is an optional activity intended to remind students of the convention that for a non-zero number .

Technology isn't required for this lesson, but there are opportunities for students to choose to use appropriate technology to solve problems. We recommend making technology available.