Question

In 2014 the population of 1500 quail decreases at an annual rate of 3%. In writing an exponential function to model the quail population, using f(t)=a(b)^t what is the value of a and b?

Answer 1

a = 1500

b = 0.97

Explanation:

Let's define 2014 as our t = 0.

Then t = 1 will be 2015, and so on.

We know that in 2014 the population was 1500.

It decreases at an annual rate of 3% or 0.03 in decimal form.

Then in 2015, the population was: 1500 - 1500*0.03 = 1500*(0.97)

In 2016, the population was: 1500*(0.97) - 1500*(0.97)*0.03 = 1500*(0.97)^2

We already can see the pattern.

t years after 2014, the population will be:

f(t) = 1500*(0.97)^t

Now, answering the question:

using f(t)=a(b)^t what is the value of a and b?

a = 1500

b = 0.97