The correct answer is C) The initial population at the time of the estimation
Step-by-step explanation:
A mathematical function represents the relationship between two variables by showing how one increases or decreases as the other changes. In the case presented, the variables are the time in years represented by x and the population represented by f (x). In this context, the value 160.000 in column f(x) represents the population on the year 0, this means the current population or initial population when the function or estimation is created. On the other hand, other values represent the population in the future, for example, the value 173189 represents the population in 4 years.