Which of the following best characterizes a population that is growing exponentially with time?

A) Equal increase in number over equal time

B) Controlled growth over a finite time

C) Doubling in size over equal time

D) Reaching a maximum then rapid decline

Answer: Doubling in size over equal time.

Explanation: Population exponential growth can be said to be an increase in the number by multiplying together a number of equal factors, where the exponent specifies the number of factors to multiply.

For example, in 7² the factors are all 7, the power is 2 and the exponentiation gives 49.

This example is indicative of doubling in size.