Exponential function: A function in which the independent variable is an exponent.
Exponential growth: Change that occurs when an initial amount increases by the same percent
over a given period of time.
Asymptote: A line that a graph approaches.
Growth factor: The base of an exponential expression or 1 + r.
Exponential decay: Change that occurs when an initial amount decreases by the same percent
over a given period of time.
Decay factor: The base of an exponential expression or 1 – r.
Exponential equation: An equation in which the independent variable is an exponent.
Compound interest: Interest calculated on the principal and on the accumulated interest from
previous periods.
Exponential inequality: An inequality in which the independent variable is an exponent.
E: An irrational number that approximately equals 2.7182818…., the base for exponential
functions.
Sequence: A list of numbers in a specific order.
Term of a sequence: A number in a sequence.
Finite sequence: A sequence that contains a limited number of terms.
Infinite sequence: A sequence that continues without end.
Geometric sequence: A pattern of numbers that begin with a nonzero term and each term after is
found by multiplying the previous term by a nonzero constant r.
Common ratio: constant value of a geometric sequence.
Explicit formula: A formula that allows you to find any term an of a sequence by using a formula
written in terms of n.
Recursive formula: A formula that gives the value of the first term in the sequence and then
defines the next term by using the preceding term.
Geometric means: The terms between two nonconsecutive terms of a geometric sequence.
Series: The sum of the terms in a sequence.
Geometric series: The sum of the terms in a geometric sequence.
Signora notation: A notation that uses the Greek uppercase letter S to indicate that a sum should
be found.
Regression function: A function generated by an algorithm to find a line or curve that fits a set of
data.
Coefficient of determination: An indicator of how well a function fits a set of data.