Jeremy reviews uses for Maya's 4 choices of Decay Rate. With a light meter, we can verify that Inverse Square or Quadratic decay is found in real studio lights. Jeremy explains why different settings are used to simulate direct sun. Intensity Curves allow you to design your own custom decay patterns, determining your own relationship between distance and intensity. Color Curves provide even more custom control over a light's decay, allowing different colors at different distances from the light.
Maya scenes available on the author's website 3dRender.com.