Question

A population of flies grows according to the function p(x)=2(4)^x, where x is measured in weeks. A local spider has set up shop and consumes flies according to the function s(x)=2x + 5. What is the population of flies after two weeks with the introduced spider?

15 flies
23 flies
32 flies
36 flies

Answer 1

The population of flies is given by the function (p-s)(x).

(p-s)(2) = [2(4)²] - [2(2) + 5]
(p-s)(2) = [32] - [9]
(p-s)(2) = 23

Thus, the population of the flies after 2 weeks would be 23.