Question

A bird population of 16,000 experienced 2,000 births and 500 deaths in a year. What was the bird population's growth rate for that year?

a) 5%
b) 7.5%
c) 10%
d) 12.5%

Answer 1

To calculate the bird population's growth rate, determine the net change by subtracting deaths from births and express it as a percentage of the initial population. The correct growth rate comes out to 9.375%, but the closest answer option given is 10%.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the bird population's growth rate for the year, we need to calculate the net change in the population (births minus deaths) and then express that change as a percentage of the initial population. In this case, we have:

• Initial population: 16,000 birds
• Births: 2,000 birds
• Deaths: 500 birds

The net change is the number of births minus the number of deaths:

Net change = Births - Deaths = 2,000 - 500 = 1,500 birds

To find the growth rate percentage, we divide the net change by the initial population and then multiply by 100:

Growth Rate (%) = (Net Change / Initial Population) * 100 = (1,500 / 16,000) * 100 = 9.375%

The closest option to 9.375% is 9.4%, which is not listed in the given choices. Therefore, there might be a mistake in the answer choices provided. However, if we must choose the closest correct option, it would be option c) 10%.