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> 2) ... But a circle's area increases as (pi)r^2. That's an exponential increase. No, no, no, no, no. "exponential" != "has an exponent". Exponential means
by masterzora 15y ago
> 2) ... But a circle's area increases as (pi)r^2. That's an exponential increase.
No, no, no, no, no. "exponential" != "has an exponent". Exponential means the variable is the exponent, as in 2^n. The word you're looking for is "quadratic".
- palish 15y agoIt doesn't matter whether it's unfair by a factor of n^2 or by 2^n. If it's unfair, then it cannot be looked at whatsoever without drawing incorrect conclusions. Or are you trying to educate me out of good will? If so, thanks.
- masterzora 15y agoKind of the latter, really. While the true meaning was clear from context here, it's very easy to make the same mistake in other contexts without the true meaning being so clear. And, unlike a number of other common mistakes, this is one that can really bite you in the ass in some contexts, so it's good to set the record straight before your gluteals are masticated.