# An animal population is given by P(t) = 300(1.044)t where t is the number of years since the...

## Question:

An animal population is given by P(t) = 300(1.044)t where t is the number of years since the study of the population began. Find P(5) and interpret your result.

## Population Modeling

In biology, the number of individuals that belong to the same species is referred to as the population. The population can be mathematically described by certain functions and this technique is called mathematical modeling or population modeling. The most common types of functions used in modeling are exponential functions and logistic functions.

The population of a specific animal is given by the equation {eq}P(t) = 300(1.044)t {/eq}, where t is the number of years. The quantity P(5) is the value of the function at t = 5 years.

{eq}\displaystyle \begin{align*} P(t) &= 300(1.044)t \\ P(5) &= 300(1.044)(5) \\ &= \boxed{ 1566} \end{align*} {/eq}

P(5) = 1566 is the population of the animals after 5 years.