For this case we have an exponential function of the form:
![f (x) = A (b) ^ x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/1f1vrj2k3r75ie9atlenmf6mjxfvlczbgr.png)
Where,
- A: the initial number of deer
- b: rate of change
- x: number of years
We then have the following function:
![f (x) = 248 (1.15) ^ x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/buiodinvl77iodc5s23zsqjf0z4811v8h8.png)
After three years we have:
![f (x) = 248 (1.15) ^ 3\\f (x) = 377](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/2pfysfak6lkl80zry7a6581lq445ytvbu6.png)
Answer:
the population 3 years after beginning the study is 377.