The answers based on the provided exponential functions are:

a.

• Initial population: 13,000
• Growth factor: 1.09

b.

• Initial population: $3 \times 10^8$
• Growth factor: 6

Let me know if you have any other questions or need further details!

Here are some related questions to expand your understanding:

1. How do you determine the growth factor in an exponential equation?
2. What is the role of the initial population in population growth models?
3. How can you express $3 \times 10^8$ in standard form?
4. How do exponential functions model real-world phenomena like population growth?
5. What happens to the population when the growth factor is less than 1?

Tip: In exponential growth models, the base of the exponent determines whether the population is increasing or decreasing!