Use the table to answer the question.

0 350
1
2
3
4
5
A certain population of beetles is increasing at a rate of 22% per month. If there are currently 350 beetles, the equation f(x)=350(1.22)x
can be used to model the situation. Finish the chart and plot the points to determine which graph correctly displays the situation.(1 point)
Responses

An increasing curve with an arrow on the top is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 2,000 in increments of 200. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1.
Image with alt text: An increasing curve with an arrow on the top is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 2,000 in increments of 200. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1.

A decreasing curve with an arrow at the end is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 350 in increments of 50.
Image with alt text: A decreasing curve with an arrow at the end is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 350 in increments of 50.

An increasing curve with an arrow on the top is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 2000 in increments of 250.
Image with alt text: An increasing curve with an arrow on the top is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 2000 in increments of 250.

A decreasing curve with an arrow at the end is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 350 in increments of 50.

1 answer

To complete the chart based on the function \( f(x) = 350(1.22)^x \), we will calculate the population of beetles for each month (x) from 0 to 5.

  1. For \( x = 0 \): \[ f(0) = 350(1.22)^0 = 350 \times 1 = 350 \]

  2. For \( x = 1 \): \[ f(1) = 350(1.22)^1 = 350 \times 1.22 = 427 \]

  3. For \( x = 2 \): \[ f(2) = 350(1.22)^2 = 350 \times 1.4884 \approx 521 \]

  4. For \( x = 3 \): \[ f(3) = 350(1.22)^3 = 350 \times 1.810584 \approx 633 \]

  5. For \( x = 4 \): \[ f(4) = 350(1.22)^4 = 350 \times 2.204487 \approx 771 \]

  6. For \( x = 5 \): \[ f(5) = 350(1.22)^5 = 350 \times 2.684962 \approx 939 \]

Now, we can fill in the chart:

| Months (x) | Beetles (f(x)) | |------------|----------------| | 0 | 350 | | 1 | 427 | | 2 | 521 | | 3 | 633 | | 4 | 771 | | 5 | 939 |

Plotting the Points

The points from the completed table are:

  • (0, 350)
  • (1, 427)
  • (2, 521)
  • (3, 633)
  • (4, 771)
  • (5, 939)

Determining the Correct Graph

The population of beetles is increasing over time due to the growth rate of 22% per month. This suggests the graph should display an exponential growth curve.

Among the given responses:

  • The first option describes an increasing curve with an arrow on the top over a wide range.
  • The second option describes a decreasing curve, which is incorrect.
  • The third option describes an increasing curve but with a smaller range of the x-axis, from 0 to 10, which should fit our results.
  • The fourth option once again describes a decreasing curve, which is also incorrect.

The most suitable graph representing this scenario is Option 3: "An increasing curve with an arrow on the top is plotted on a coordinate plane. The x-axis for months ranges from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. The y-axis for Beetles ranges from 0 to 2000 in increments of 250."

This graph correctly reflects the exponential growth of the population of which beetles are part, given the calculated values.