The exponential growth of the deer population in Massachusetts can be approximated using the model
ƒ(x) = 50,000(1 + 0.06)x,
where 50,000 is the initial deer population and 0.06 is the rate of growth. ƒ(x) is the total population after x years have passed. Find each value to the nearest thousand.
(a) Predict the total population after 4 yr.
(b) If the initial population was 30,000 and the growth rate was 0.12, how many deer would be present after 3 yr?
(c) How many additional deer can we expect in 5 yr if the initial population is 45,000 and the current growth rate is 0.08?
