Is this an exponential growth problem? a population of guppies quadruples every month. How many guppies will there be after 6 months if the beginning population is only 6 guppies?

Hi!! I'm taking the exponents and exponential functions test for any of you in connections I just get really psyched out in tests if any of you could help walk me through and confirm the questions that would be so helpful!!

Question

Is this an exponential growth problem? a population of guppies quadruples every month. How many guppies will there be after 6 months if the beginning population is only 6 guppies?

Hi!! I'm taking the exponents and exponential functions test for any of you in connections I just get really psyched out in tests if any of you could help walk me through and confirm the questions that would be so helpful!!

anonymous · Answer

madriannal have you done an exponential problem before, or is this your first one?

anonymous · Answer

i have i just want to make sure that this is an exponential growth problem so i can do it if so it would be 6(1+0.03)^6 to solve right?

anonymous · Answer

nevermind thats not right ugh I'm confused

anonymous · Answer

P(t) = Po * a^t

Let Po be your initial population of 6 guppies.  If they quadruple every month, then wouldn't the equation be

P(t) = 6 * 4^t

at time t = 0, you have 6
at time t = 1 you have 6 * 4 = 24
at time t = 2 you have 6 * 4 * 4 = . . .

etc.

anonymous · Answer

haha that makes so much more sense!

anonymous · Answer

ok one question is a 3500 principal earns 3% interest compounded semiannually after 20 years what is the balance of the account? I have never heard of semi annually before? not sure how to solve