1. The problem asks which number pattern can be described by an exponential equation. 2. An exponential function has the form $$y = a \cdot b^x$$ where $a$ is a constant, $b$ is the base (growth factor), and $x$ is the term number. 3. Let's analyze each sequence: - A: 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, ... This increases by 4 each time, so it is arithmetic, not exponential. - B: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ... The differences are 3, 5, 7, 9, which increase by 2 each time, so this is quadratic, not exponential. - C: 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, ... The differences are 2, 3, 4, 5, increasing by 1 each time, so this is neither arithmetic nor exponential. - D: 2, 8, 26, 80, 242, ... Let's check the ratio between terms: $$\frac{8}{2} = 4, \quad \frac{26}{8} = 3.25, \quad \frac{80}{26} \approx 3.08, \quad \frac{242}{80} = 3.025$$ The ratio is approaching 3, suggesting exponential growth. 4. Therefore, sequence D can be described by an exponential equation. Final answer: D