Final answer:
The fox population is predicted to be approximately 39,860 in the year 2020.
Step-by-step explanation:
To predict the fox population in the year 2020, we can use the formula for exponential growth:
P = P0 * (1 + r)^t
Where:
- P is the predicted population
- P0 is the initial population
- r is the growth rate (as a decimal)
- t is the number of years
In this case, P0 = 24,900, r = 0.06 (6% as a decimal), and t = 8 (2020 - 2012 = 8 years).
Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
P = 24,900 * (1 + 0.06)^8
Simplifying the equation gives us:
P ≈ 24,900 * 1.593848 = 39,860.35
Rounding to the nearest whole number, the fox population predicted to be in the year 2020 is approximately 39,860.
Learn more about Exponential growth