Question

27. The rodent population p in a large city is being controlled by a new poison that kills half the population every 2 months m. If there are currently 1,000,000 rodents in the city, how many will there be in 12 months?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Since the new poison kills half the population every 2 months, we can say that the remaining half will survive for another 2 months. Therefore, after 2 months, the rodent population will be half of 1,000,000, which is 500,000.

After another 2 months, the remaining half of the 500,000 will survive, which is 250,000.

After another 2 months, the remaining half of the 250,000 will survive, which is 125,000.

After 6 months, the rodent population will be 125,000.

Since 12 months is six 2-month periods, we can repeat this process again. After another 2 months, the rodent population will be 62,500.

After another 2 months, the rodent population will be 31,250.

After another 2 months, the rodent population will be 15,625.

Therefore, after 12 months, the rodent population will be 15,625.