Question

A wildlife preservation group records the number of squirrels in a city park. The first count recorded is 30 squirrels. A second count

of 60 squirrels is recorded six months later, and 120 squirrels are counted at the end
and the growth rate remains the same, which function represents the number of squirrels after x years?

Answer 1

The function that represents the number of squirrels after x years, is described by the following equation:

Why?

From the statement we know that the squirrel's population doubles every six months, it started with 30 squirrels, after six months there are 60 squirrels and six months later (end of one year) there is a population of 120 squirrels.

So, doubles every six months (rate) , and 6 months are 0.5 year

Writing the equation:

Where,

Then, substituting the rate into the equation, we have:

Let's prove that the equation works

Evaluating the population after: 0.5 year, 1 year, 1.5 years and 2 years:

Population after 0.5 year:

Population after 1 year:

Population after 1.5 years:

Population after 2 years:

So, the equation works.

Explanation: