Question

The population of bald eagles is decreasing 4% each year. In 2015, there were 2800 bald eagles.

What will the approximate population of bald eagles be in the year 2030?

Answer 1

Answer: the approximate population of bald eagles be in the year 2030 is 15178

Explanation:

The population of bald eagles is decreasing 4% each year. This means that the rate is exponential.

We would apply the formula for exponential decay which is expressed as

A = P(1 - r)^t

Where

A represents the population after t years.

t represents the number of years.

P represents the initial population.

r represents rate of growth.

From the information given,

P = 2800

r = 4% = 4/100 = 0.04

t = 2030 - 2015 = 15 years

Therefore

A = 2800(1 - 0.04)^ 15

A = 2800(0.96)^ 15

A = 15178

Answer 2

1120 Eagles

Explanation:

If the population of Eagles decreases by 4% percent each year, then in 2030 (which is 15 years later), the population would decrease by (4 × 15)%

that is 60%

This indicates that the population of bald eagles in the year 2030 would be 60% less of what it was in the year 2015.

so we have,
`(60)/(100)` × 2800

which gives us 1680

this means that the number of bald eagles in the year 2030 would be 1680 less than the number of bald eagles in the year 2015

hence 2800 - 1680

then the answer is 1120 Bald Eagles