What characteristic differentiates an exponential relationship from a linear relationship?

An exponential relationship is characterized by a variable increase that accelerates over time, setting it apart from a linear relationship. In an exponential relationship, the change in the dependent variable is proportional to its current value, meaning as the value increases, the rate of growth also increases. This leads to a curve that steepens over time, which is a hallmark of exponential growth.

In contrast, linear relationships exhibit a constant rate of change, where the increase or decrease is uniform across intervals. This results in a straight line when graphed. Therefore, the key distinguishing factor of exponential relationships is that the rate of change accelerates as the values increase, rather than remaining fixed or constant as seen in linear relationships.