The problem
I need help with this word problem:
The population of wolves is now 240, and expected to double every four years. What will be the wolf population in six years? Show your calculation.
Thanks!
Answer provided by our tutors
The basic formula for exponential growth can be expressed as following:
n = i(1+r)^t
where 'n' represents the total number, 'i' represents the initial number, 'r' represents the rate of growth and 't' represents the number of time
Knowing that the initial count of wolves is 240 and it will double every four years allows us to calculate the rate of growth:
480=240(1+r)^4
r=0.189207
So the expected population after six years is:
n = 240(1+0.189207)^6
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n=678.8
So the wolf population after six years will be approximately 679 wolves.