Answer:
The input or x-value in the population growth of beetles is the time in minutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of population growth, particularly in the scenario of beetles tripling in size every 30 minutes, the input or x-value represents the time variable. The rate of growth is tied to time intervals of 30 minutes. For each 30-minute period, the population triples, indicating a direct relationship between time and the size of the beetle population.
Understanding the input as time is crucial for modeling and analyzing the population growth function. The x-value, in this case, helps establish a clear understanding of how the population changes over time, allowing for the formulation of mathematical expressions or models to represent the growth pattern accurately.