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.