exponential

[ek-spoh-nen-shuh l, -spuh-] /ˌɛk spoʊˈnɛn ʃəl, -spə-/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to an exponent or exponents.
2.
Mathematics.
  1. of or pertaining to the constant e.
  2. (of an equation) having one or more unknown variables in one or more exponents.
noun
3.
Mathematics.
  1. the constant e raised to the power equal to a given expression, as e 3 x, which is the exponential of 3 x.
  2. any positive constant raised to a power.
Origin
1695-1705; exponent + -ial
Related forms
exponentially, adverb
nonexponential, adjective
nonexponentially, adverb
Examples from the web for exponential
  • Making prediction using exponential calculation is no better than ball-park estimation.
  • The inbred wolf population started to grow at an exponential rate.
  • Evolution is certainly not an exponential process, but a gradual one.
  • These tequilas have experienced exponential demand and high prices.
  • We have now lost too many acres not to recognize an exponential explosion of plants.
  • The unit can hold eight clips, more than enough to cause an exponential rise in road-rage incidents.
  • exponential trends are immensely powerful but deceptive.
  • Economists are always going to believe that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world.
  • But the parasites' exponential growth continues, and after a few more cycles there are billions of them tumbling about the blood.
  • Any exponential growth will eventually fill the entire planet, but something will stop it before then.
British Dictionary definitions for exponential

exponential

/ˌɛkspəʊˈnɛnʃəl/
adjective
1.
(maths) (of a function, curve, series, or equation) of, containing, or involving one or more numbers or quantities raised to an exponent, esp ex
2.
(maths) raised to the power of e, the base of natural logarithms exp
3.
of or involving an exponent or exponents
4.
(informal) very rapid
noun
5.
(maths) an exponential function, etc
Derived Forms
exponentially, adverb
Word Origin and History for exponential
adj.

1704, from exponent + -al (1). As a noun, from 1784. Related: Exponentially.

exponential in Science
exponential
  (ěk'spə-něn'shəl)   
Relating to a mathematical expression containing one or more exponents. ◇ Something is said to increase or decrease exponentially if its rate of change must be expressed using exponents. A graph of such a rate would appear not as a straight line, but as a curve that continually becomes steeper or shallower.
exponential in Technology

1. A function which raises some given constant (the "base") to the power of its argument. I.e.
f x = b^x
If no base is specified, e, the base of natural logarthims, is assumed.
2. exponential-time algorithm.
(1995-04-27)