Question

Using the function p(t)=5*2^t, estimate the boa constrictor population in 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years. Show your work.

Answer 1

• 2 years: 20
• 3 years: 40
• 4 years: 80

Explanation:

There are several ways you can find the values of an exponential function for different values of the independent variable. You can read them from its graph, evaluate the formula, or recognize the relationship between the values.

P(t) for different t

The graph shows you the population is 10 in year 1, up by a factor of 2 from the population of 5 in year 0. The exponential nature of the function means the population will double in each of the next few years:

2 years: 2 × 10 = 20

3 years: 2 × 20 = 40

4 years: 2 × 40 = 80

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Additional comment

You can always use a calculator to evaluate the function for different values of t.