Final answer:
To find the initial size of the grey squirrel population, we used the exponential growth formula. After calculating, we determined that the initial population size was 1,875 squirrels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked how to find the initial size of a grey squirrel population that doubles every 7 years and now has a population of 60,000 after 35 years.
To calculate the initial population size, we'll use the formula for exponential growth: P(t) = P0 × (2t/T), where P(t) is the population at time t, P0 is the initial population size, 2 is the base because the population doubles, t is the number of years, and T is the time it takes for the population to double.
The problem gives us 35 years (t) and a doubling time (T) of 7 years. Plugging these into the equation, we have 60,000 = P0 × (235/7). Simplifying, we get 60,000 = P0 × 25 or 60,000 = P0 × 32. Dividing both sides by 32, we find the initial population size is 1,875 squirrels.
Thus, the initial size of the grey squirrel population was 1,875.