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A homeowner is trying to reduce the insect population in the yard and needs to decide between setting up an insect zapper that zaps 15% of the insects every day or introducing dragonflies that will eat 100 insects every day. If the homeowner is having a backyard party in 4 days, which method will result in the fewest insects at the party?

User Renuz
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If a homeowner is trying to reduce the insect population in the yard and needs to decide between setting up an insect zapper. Introducing dragonflies would be more effective in reducing the insect population in the yard resulting in the fewest insects at the party.

Which one is more effective?

To find which method will result in the fewest insects at the party compare the effectiveness of the insect zapper and introducing dragonflies over a period of 4 days.

Method 1:

Insect Zapper

Let's assume there are initially 100 insects in the yard.

Day 1: 100 insects

(15% of 100 insects) = 85 insects remaining

Day 2: 85 insects

(15% of 85 insects) = 72 insects remaining

Day 3: 72 insects

(15% of 72 insects) = 61 insects remaining

Day 4: 61 insects

(15% of 61 insects) = 52 insects remaining

Method 2:

Introducing Dragonflies

Let's assume there are initially 100 insects in the yard.

Day 1: 100 insects - 100 insects (eaten by dragonflies) = 0 insects remaining

Day 2: 0 insects

100 insects (eaten by dragonflies) = 0 insects remaining

Day 3: 0 insects

100 insects (eaten by dragonflies) = 0 insects remaining

Day 4: 0 insects

100 insects (eaten by dragonflies) = 0 insects remaining

Comparing the results:

  • Using the insect zapper there would be 52 insects remaining after 4 days.
  • Introducing dragonflies would result in 0 insects remaining after 4 days.

Therefore introducing dragonflies would be more effective in reducing the insect population in the yard resulting in the fewest insects at the party.

User Marcelo Oliveto
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