Answer:
An exponential function
Step-by-step explanation:
So let's suppose that at 9:00 am there were 132 cars. We'll call this ![P_0](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P_0)
![P_{0}=132](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P_%7B0%7D%3D132)
On the next half an hour, let's say at 9:30, the number of cars trippled, this is:
![P_{1}=132*3=396](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P_%7B1%7D%3D132%2A3%3D396)
the next half an hour, at 10:00 am, the number of cars trippled, this is:
![P_{2}=132*3*3=1188](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P_%7B2%7D%3D132%2A3%2A3%3D1188)
and finaly, at 10:30am, the number of cars trippled again, so:
![P_{3}=132*3*3*3=3564](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P_%7B3%7D%3D132%2A3%2A3%2A3%3D3564)
We can now see a pattern there which can be simplified as:
![P(n)=P_{0}(3)^{n}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P%28n%29%3DP_%7B0%7D%283%29%5E%7Bn%7D)
or
![P(n)=132(3)^{n}](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=P%28n%29%3D132%283%29%5E%7Bn%7D)
where:
initial number of cars
n=number of half hours after 9:00 a.m
number of cars after n number of half hours.
That function we found there is an exponential function, which represents an initial amount being multiplied by the same number several times.