Talk:exponential

Definition 3, "In modern English, used to describe a large quantity of an object or objects", hits on a use of "exponential" that is now common, but I don't think the definition given is quite accurate.

Instead of just a large number of objects, I tend to see "exponential" used in place of "extremely", such as:

"While manifold benefits stem from participating in such web-based environments, the popular media has been quick to demonize MySpace even though an ___exponentially___ small proportion of its users have been victimized due to irresponsible or naïve usage of the technology it affords." From: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WH0-4P3M274-1&_user=4422&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000059600&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4422&md5=bccd528bc80220bdcea8b69d73e769a4

Also heard is something like, "the driver sped up at an exponential rate", when it's obvious that what was intended was rapidly increasing speed, not necessarily exponential speed.

As a side note, things that behave like an exponent do not always grow very quickly, or at all. What if the exponent is very close to 1, between zero and one, or even negative? 128.195.77.161 13:05, 20 May 2008 (UTC)