Final answer:
Using the formula for exponential growth, the rabbit population in Richmond County, initially 7,288, is expected to grow to 14,422 after 14 years with a 5% annual growth rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the future rabbit population in Richmond County, which is experiencing a 5% annual growth, we need to use the formula for exponential growth. Given that the current population is 7,288 rabbits, and the growth rate (r) is 5% or 0.05, we apply the formula:
P(t) = P0 × (1 + r)t,
where P(t) is the future population, P0 is the initial population, r is the growth rate, and t is the number of years. Substituting the given numbers into this formula, we have:
P(14) = 7,288 × (1 + 0.05)14
Calculating further, we get:
P(14) = 7,288 × (1.05)14
P(14) = 7,288 × 1.9791
P(14) = 14,421.89
After rounding to the nearest whole number, the expected rabbit population after 14 years would be 14,422 rabbits.