NCERT Class 9 Maths Exercise 2.4 Solutions – Linear Growth and Decay


Short Intro

Exercise 2.4 explains the concepts of linear growth and linear decay using real-life situations like plant growth, mobile depreciation, population increase, and prepaid balance reduction. These detailed step-by-step solutions help students understand linear functions and algebraic modelling easily.


Quick Information Box

Topic Details
Chapter Introduction to Linear Polynomials
Exercise Exercise 2.4
Subject Mathematics
Class Grade 9
Main Concepts Linear Growth & Linear Decay
Difficulty Level Moderate
Useful For School Exams & Olympiad Preparation

Concepts Used (Topics Covered)

  • Linear Growth
  • Linear Decay
  • Linear Functions
  • Algebraic Expressions
  • Table of Values
  • Depreciation
  • Population Growth
  • Balance Reduction
  • Mathematical Modelling

Important Formulas

Linear Growth Formula

y=a+bxy=a+bx

image

Linear Decay Formula

y=abxy=a-bx

image

Depreciation Formula

Value=Initial Value(Decrease per year×Years)\text{Value} = \text{Initial Value} – (\text{Decrease per year} \times \text{Years})


Population Growth Formula

P=P0+rtP = P_0 + rt


Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

Question 1

Suppose a plant has height 1.75 feet and it grows by 0.5 feet each month.


(i) Find the height after 7 months

Solution

Initial height = 1.75 feet

Monthly growth = 0.5 feet

After 7 months:1.75+7(0.5)1.75 + 7(0.5)=1.75+3.5= 1.75 + 3.5=5.25= 5.25

Final Answer

✅ Height after 7 months = 5.25 feet


(ii) Table of Values

Month (t) Height h (feet)
0 1.75
1 2.25
2 2.75
3 3.25
4 3.75
5 4.25
6 4.75
7 5.25
8 5.75
9 6.25
10 6.75

(iii) Expression relating h and t

h=1.75+0.5th = 1.75 + 0.5t

This represents linear growth because the height increases by a constant amount every month.


Question 2

A mobile phone is bought for ₹10,000. Its value decreases by ₹800 every year.


(i) Find value after 3 years

Solution

Initial value = ₹10,000

Decrease every year = ₹800

After 3 years:100003(800)10000 – 3(800)=100002400= 10000 – 2400=7600= 7600

Final Answer

✅ Value after 3 years = ₹7600


(ii) Table of Values

Year (t) Value v (₹)
0 10000
1 9200
2 8400
3 7600
4 6800
5 6000
6 5200
7 4400
8 3600

(iii) Expression relating v and t

v=10000800tv = 10000 – 800t

This represents linear decay because the value decreases by a fixed amount every year.


Question 3

The initial population of a village is 750. Every year, 50 people move from a nearby city to the village.


(i) Population after 6 years

Solution

Initial population = 750

Increase per year = 50

After 6 years:750+6(50)750 + 6(50)=750+300= 750 + 300=1050= 1050

Final Answer

✅ Population after 6 years = 1050


(ii) Table of Values

Year (t) Population P
0 750
1 800
2 850
3 900
4 950
5 1000
6 1050
7 1100
8 1150
9 1200
10 1250

(iii) Expression relating P and t

P=750+50tP = 750 + 50t

This represents linear growth because population increases by a constant number every year.


Question 4

A telecom company charges ₹600 for a recharge scheme. This prepaid balance reduces by ₹15 every day after recharge.


(i) Equation for remaining balance

Solution

Initial balance = ₹600

Reduction every day = ₹15b(x)=60015xb(x)=600-15x

This represents linear decay because balance decreases by a fixed amount daily.


(ii) After how many days will balance become zero?

Solution

60015x=0600 – 15x = 015x=60015x = 600x=40x = 40

Final Answer

✅ Balance will run out after 40 days


(iii) Table of Values

Days (x) Balance b(x)
1 585
2 570
3 555
4 540
5 525
6 510
7 495
8 480
9 465
10 450

Common Mistakes

❌ Using wrong sign in growth and decay problems
❌ Forgetting initial value in expressions
❌ Calculation mistakes in tables
❌ Confusing increase with decrease


Exam Tips

✔ Growth means addition (+)
✔ Decay means subtraction (−)
✔ Write formula before solving
✔ Make tables carefully and systematically


Practice MCQs

1. Which expression represents linear growth?

A) 50020x500-20x
B) 1000+50x1000+50x1000+50x
C) x2+5x^2+5
D) 2x2^x

Answer

✅ B) 1000+50x1000+50x


2. Which expression represents linear decay?

A) 200+15x200+15x
B) 50010x500-10x
C) x21x^2-1
D) 3x23x^2

Answer

✅ B) 50010x500-10x


3. A value decreases by ₹100 every year. Which expression is correct?

A) 500+100x500+100x
B) 500100x500-100x
C) 100x500100x-500
D) 500x500x

Answer

✅ B) 500100x500-100x


4. Linear growth means:

A) Variable increase
B) Constant increase
C) Random increase
D) Quadratic increase

Answer

✅ B) Constant increase


FAQ Section

Q1. What is linear growth?

Linear growth means a quantity increases by a fixed amount over equal intervals.

Q2. What is linear decay?

Linear decay means a quantity decreases by a fixed amount over equal intervals.

Q3. What is a linear function?

A function represented by a straight-line equation is called a linear function.

Q4. Why are tables important in linear functions?

Tables help us understand patterns and relationships clearly.

Q5. Can real-life situations be represented using linear equations?

Yes, many daily-life situations can be represented using linear equations.


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