On Thu, 20 Feb 2003 21:19:55 +1100, "David Coutts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Using the Rule Of 70, a population which grows at 1% per annum doubles in 70 > years. A population which grows at 2 % doubles in 35 years. Both are > considered fine examples of exponential growth (each at a constant rate of > growth, producing a lovely exponential curve). The question is, if a > population grows at variable rates, but always between 1 and 2 % (and thus > is guarenteed to double in 35 to 70 years) - is this exponential growth? > We say that national economies grow exponentially because it is the long-term trend and it is logical -- even though they are less consistent than your 1 to 2 percent. Any real-life data will show variability. Who wants to know? Who wants to make a point, about what? Someone might be concerned about other influences, or other descriptions, if the pattern were *less* consistent than chance would dictate. -- Rich Ulrich, [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pitt.edu/~wpilib/index.html . . ================================================================= Instructions for joining and leaving this list, remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES, and archives are available at: . http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ . =================================================================
