To analyze the growth of the wasp population according to the given exponential growth model \( w(t) = 5000 \times 1.13^t \), we can consider how the population changes over time:
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Exponential Growth Characteristics: In an exponential growth model, the growth rate is proportional to the current population. As time \( t \) increases, the population \( w(t) \) increases at an accelerating rate.
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Initial Growth: At the very beginning, when \( t \) is small (e.g., \( t = 1, 2, 3 \)), the increase in population may seem modest, but as \( t \) continues to increase, the growth accelerates. For example:
- At \( t=0 \): \( w(0) = 5000 \times 1.13^0 = 5000 \)
- At \( t=1 \): \( w(1) = 5000 \times 1.13^1 = 5650 \)
- At \( t=2 \): \( w(2) = 5000 \times 1.13^2 \approx 6403.50 \)
- At \( t=3 \): \( w(3) = 5000 \times 1.13^3 \approx 7220.00 \)
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Long-term Behavior: As \( t \) increases further, the increase in \( w(t) \) becomes significantly larger compared to earlier periods. This characteristic is typical of exponential growth.
Conclusion: The correct statement about the population growth is that as \( t \) increases, \( w \) increases slowly at first and then quickly (matching the understanding of exponential growth).
So the correct statement is:
"As \( t \) increases, \( w \) increases slowly at first and then quickly."