Final answer:
The locust population can be modeled by the exponential function L(t) = 7600 * (5((t-22)/22)). The function takes into account the initial population, the growth factor of 5, and the number of 22-day periods that have passed since the start.
Step-by-step explanation:
The locust population can be modeled by an exponential function.
Since the locust population increases by a factor of 5 every 22 days, we can write the function as L(t) = 7600 * (5^((t-22)/22)).
Let's break down the function:
- We start with the initial population of 7600 locusts.
- The factor of 5 represents the population increasing by 5 times.
- The exponent ((t-22)/22) represents the number of 22-day periods that have passed since the start.
Therefore, the function that models the locust population t days since the first day of spring is L(t) = 7600 * (5^((t-22)/22)).