Question

Suppose that the number of newborns (N) in an insect population can be predicted from the number of adult insects (I) according to the following equation, where r and b are variables related to the rates of population growth: N=rI−bI2. Calculate N if r=1.5, b=0.0015, and I=500. Rounding to the nearest whole number, N equals which of the following?

a) 1880
b) 375
c) 188
d) 749

Answer 1

d: 749

Step-by-step explanation:

From the equation, N = rl - bl2, where N is the number of newborns, l is the number of adult insects, and r and b are variables; with all the components given, N can be calculated by direct substitution.

Since r = 1.5, b = 0.0015, and l = 500, therefore, substitute for r, b, and l to get N such that;

N = 1.5(500) - (0.0015)(500)2

750 - 1.5

N = 748.5

Rounding to the nearest whole number. N = 749.

The correct answer is d.