At the start of a research study, a colony of penguins had a population of 20,000. One year later, it had a population of 21,200.
Assuming the population of the colony has grown exponentially, which expression best models the population? Let t represent the time in years from the start of the research study.
1,200(1.015)^t
20,000(1.06)^t
20,000(1.06) ^4t
21,200(1.012)^t
The expression that best models the population is 20,000(1.06)^t.
To determine the population of the colony 4 years after the start of the research study, we can substitute t = 4 into the expression:
Population = 20,000(1.06)^t
Population = 20,000(1.06)^4
Using a calculator, we find:
Population ≈ 20,000 * 1.262476
Population ≈ 25,249.52
Rounded to the nearest whole number, the population will be approximately 25,250 penguins.
Assuming the colony continues to grow at the same rate, what will the population of the colony be 4 years after the start of the research study?
Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
penguins