Question

A population of 280 flying squirrels in a town in Honduras is growing at a rate of 9% every 6 months. How many squirrels will the be in 3 years? Round to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

The 470 squirrels will be in 3 years, if a population of 280 flying squirrels in a town in Honduras is growing at a rate of 9% every 6 months.

Explanation:

The given is,

280 flying squirrels

Growing at a rate of 9% every 6 months

Step:1

Formula to calculate the squirrels,

`y = A (1+r)^(t)`...........................(1)

where, A = Initial count

r = Growing rate

t = Time

From the given,

A = 280 squirrels

r = 9 % = 0.09

t = 6 ( Growing rate is given for 6 months, for 3 years 36 months available, so t =
`(36)/(6)` = 6)

From equation (1),

`y =280(1+0.09)^(6)`

`= 280 (1.09)^(6)`

= (280)(1.6771)

= 469.588

Squirrels after 3 years, y ≅ 470 squirrels

( or )

Step:1

Year will be converted to months,

3 years = 36 months

For 6 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (280 × 0.09)+280 = 305.2 squirrels

For 12 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (305.2 × 0.09)+305.2 = 332.668 squirrels

For 18 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (332.668 × 0.09)+332.668 = 362.608 squirrels

For 24 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (362.608 × 0.09)+362.608 = 395.243 squirrels

For 30 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (395.243 × 0.09)+395.243 = 430.815 squirrels

For 36 months,

`=( Squirrels count )( Rate of grow ) +Squirrels count`

= (430.815 × 0.09)+430.815 = 469.588 squirrels

Squirrels after 3 years, y ≅ 470 squirrels

Result:

The 470 squirrels will be in 3 years, if a population of 280 flying squirrels in a town in Honduras is growing at a rate of 9% every 6 months.