Question

The population of raccoons has been increasing in the Bayside area. The equation R(x)= 100(1.2)^x can be

used to model its growth where x represents the number of months since the population was last counted.

a) Explain what the 100 and 1.2 represents in this problem

b) Determine the population of raccoons in 6 months

c) When will the population be 1540?

Answer 1

a) 100 is the initial raccoon population. 1.2 is the rate of growth (growing 20% every month)

b) 100 * (1.2)^6

≈ 298 raccoons

c) 1540 = 100 * (1.2)^x

Divide by 100

15.4 = 1.2^x

x = log(15.4)/log(1.2)

≈ 15 months