Final answer:
The growth factor of a population of ants growing at a certain percentage per month is calculated by adding 1 to the decimal form of the growth rate. For example, a 5% growth rate per month results in a growth factor of 1.05.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the growth factor of a population of ants, which is growing at an unspecified percentage per month. In mathematics, the growth factor refers to the amount by which a quantity multiplies over a certain period of time. To find the monthly growth factor from a percentage growth rate, you can use the formula Growth Factor = 1 + Growth Rate/100. For instance, if the ants' population grows at 5% per month, the growth factor would be 1 + 0.05 = 1.05.