Question

For populations that grow exponentially (dN/dt = ????N); which of the following populations will experience the fastest population growth rate?

a) A population of 1000 rabbits that has a yearly death rate of 0.01 and a yearly birth rate of 0.11.
b) A population of 1000 wolves that has a yearly death rate of 0.01 and a yearly birth rate of 0.06.
c) A population of 1000 elephants that has a yearly death rate of 0.01 and a yearly birth rate of 0.02.
d) A population of 1000 blue whales that has a yearly death rate of 0.01 and a yearly birth rate of 0.01.

Answer 1

Option A

Step-by-step explanation:

It is better to find the differences between the death and birth rate. The population with the higher positive difference between the death and birth rates will have higher population growth.

A) Yearly death rate of
`0.01` and a yearly birth rate of
`0.11`, Net rate of growth

`0.11 - 0.01 \\= 0.10`

B) Yearly death rate of
`0.01` and a yearly birth rate of
`0.06`, Net rate of growth

`0.06 - 0.01 \\= 0.05`

C) Yearly death rate of
`0.01` and a yearly birth rate of
`0.02`, Net rate of growth

`0.02 - 0.01 \\= 0.01`

D) Yearly death rate of
`0.01` and a yearly birth rate of
`0.01`, Net rate of growth

`0.01 - 0.01 \\= 0`

Option A will have the fastest growth rate