Question

A biologist studying ants started on day 1 with a population of 3,500 ants. On day 2, there were 7,000 ants, and on day 3, there were 14,000 ants. The increase in an ant population can be represented using a geometric sequence.The population of ants on day 5 = ?

Answer 1

In this case, we'll have to carry out several steps to find the solution.

Step 01:

Data

day 1 = 3,500 ants

day 2 = 7,000 ants

day 3 = 14,000 ants

geometric sequence.

day 5 = a5 = ?

Step 02:

geometric sequence

an = a1 * r ^ (n - 1)

a1 = 3500

a2 = 7000

r = a2 / a1 = 7000/3500 = 2

an = a1 * r ^ (n - 1)

n = 5

a5 = 3500 * 2 ^ ( 5 - 1)

a5 = 3500 * 16 = 56000

The answer is:

The population of ants on day 5 is 56000.