Given the following equation of an exponential function n= 40.25(1.0394)^t determine the base, b, of the exponential model. is the base

The exponential equation in its generic form is:
 y = A * (b) ^ t
 Where,
 A: initial amount
 b: base (Growth rate for b> 1. Decrease rate for b <1.)
 t: time.
 We have then that the equation is:
 N = 40.25 (1.0394) ^ t
 The base is:
 b = 1.0394> 1 (it is a growth rate)
 
 The base, b, of the exponential model is:
 b = 1.0394
 the base is a growth rate

The answer is 9.7 cm