Exponential Growth

The term “exponential growth” ($2^x$) is mis-used to describe hyper-growth startups. What they really mean is quadratic growth ($x^2$), a very different mathematical curve.

https://longform.asmartbear.com/exponential-growth/index.html#hypergrowth-is-quadratic

Where else is it important to know the difference between quadratic and exponential curves? Well, for the programmer big-oh.