An ecologist is studying the growth of a tree population in a national park. The number of trees, in hundreds,
is increasing exponentially over time. The three data
points on the graph represent the number of trees at the
beginning of the study, and at 3 years and 6 years after
the study began.
Tree Population, in hundreds
(0.3)
O
10
(3.6)
(6,12)
10
Years since study began
Question 1:
Describe, in words, how the number of trees is changing over time. What can you infer about the initial
growth pattern of this tree population?
Question 2:
Write an equation to express the initial number of trees, T(t), in hundreds, as a function of time t, in years,
since the start of the study.
Question 3:
Given the initial exponential growth, when will the tree population reach 2,700? Explain how you determined
your answer.