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Statistical function
GROWTH
Returns values along an exponential trend fitted to the data.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1400 · AdvancedUsage rank #349 of 520
When to use it
The exponential-curve version of TREND: fits y = b × m^x and returns fitted or predicted values. For things that grow by a percentage each period.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=GROWTH(known_ys, [known_xs], [new_xs], [const])
Worked examples
Next point
=GROWTH({100,200,400},{1,2,3},4) → 800
Doubling each period continues.
Fitted curve
=GROWTH({100,200,400},{1,2,3}) → {100,200,400}
Fitted values for a perfectly exponential series.
Compound forecast
=GROWTH(B2:B13,A2:A13,13) → 41,600
Next month assuming constant percentage growth.
Worth knowing
- LOGEST gives the m and b behind the curve.
- Use TREND when growth is a constant amount, GROWTH when it is a constant percentage.
- Check the fit by charting with a logarithmic y axis: exponential growth is a straight line.
Where it goes wrong
- #NUM! when any known y is zero or negative.
- Exponential extrapolation runs away quickly; a few periods ahead is plenty.
Related
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