Introduction: Linear and Geometric Growth

Learning Objectives

  • Determine whether data or a scenario describe linear or geometric growth
  • Identify growth rates, initial values, or point values expressed verbally, graphically, or numerically, and translate them into a format usable in calculation
  • Calculate recursive and explicit equations for linear and geometric growth given sufficient information, and use those equations to make predictions

Constant change is the defining characteristic of linear growth. Plotting coordinate pairs associated with constant change will result in a straight line, the shape of linear growth. In this section, we will formalize a way to describe linear growth using mathematical terms and concepts. By the end of this section, you will be able to write both a recursive and explicit equations for linear growth given starting conditions, or a constant of change.  You will also be able to recognize the difference between linear and geometric growth given a graph or an equation.