Question

Your neighbor started raising rabbits earlier this year, and started out with a population of 50,000 rabbits. If the population triples every year, and assuming no rabbits die, how many rabbits will there be 5 years from now? Which equation models this situation? A) 12,150,000; y = 50,000 * 3x B) 12,150,000; y = 3* 50,000x C) 150,000; y = 50,000 * 3 D) 125; y = 53

Answer 1

The answer is A).

Every year, you multiply the previous population by 3:

First year: 50,000 × 3
Second year: 50,000 × 3 × 3 = 50,000 × 3²
...
Fifth year: 50,000 × 3^5

For an indeterminate number of years, x, you have:
y = 50,000 × 3^x

Answer 2

50,000*3=150,000
150,000*5=750,000
(50000*3)5