[FoxInSocks]

The out-of-control gathering soon grew exponentially from just 100 people to “over 300 youth”

Exponential growth would be from 100 to, say, 10,000, not tripling to 300.

[dayglored]

These days, "exponentially" is used to denote "a lot" -- anything from "increased 20%" to "a million times". It's become meaningless.

Just another degradation of the language, in this case courtesy of the media.

[kinsman redeemer]

math? You must be older than 30 years.

Unrelated: I hate the way young people use the word “calculus” to mean “calculate”

[equaviator]

First there was a mere "gathering" of 100 people but then it digressed and morphed into an out-of-control crowd of over 300 youth.

[BobL]

“Exponential growth would be from 100 to, say, 10,000, not tripling to 300.”

Actually you can grow exponentially from 100 to 300, it’s just that the shape of the curve would be different.

But I get your point and I really doubt if ‘the authorities’ were busy trying to curve-fit the ‘youth count’ versus time.

[fortes fortuna juvat]

Exponential growth would be from 100 to, say, 10,000, not tripling to 300.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No so according to three sources I checked.

[T.B. Yoits]

Exponential growth would be from 100 to, say, 10,000, not tripling to 300.

I get what you're saying. It would be nice to see the term exponential only used if the exponent is 2 or greater.

100 ^1.23856 = 300

[Seruzawa]

As if a journalist would know the difference between arithmetic and algebra, much less exponential. Probably can’t balance a check book or figure out the mpg of his electric car.

[gitmo]

I noticed that. I think that was 5th grade arithmetic where I learned that.

They also said this:

As cops worked to get the rowdy crowd under control, one officer fractured their ankle, Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan told My Central Jersey.