Cara tracked the population of fish in a pond. At the end of the first year, she counted 8 fish. Over the years, the population tripled each year.

Question

Which equation can be used to determine the number of fish, f, after t years?

f = 3 ⋅ 8^(t-1)
f = 8 ⋅ 3^t
f = 3 ⋅ 8^t
f = 8 ⋅ 3^(t-1)

i think it may be f = 8 ⋅ 3^t ? not sure

Answer 1

or maybe it's f = 3 ⋅ 8^t ??

Answer 2

triples every year, so you multiply by powers of 3, not 8.
And since t=0 is the first year, after t years, it is 8*3^t
so pick B

Answer 3

says it's wrong

Answer 4

rubbish. For t=0, no years have passed, and you have the starting population of 8 fish.

After 1 year has passed, the population has tripled once, to 8*3 = 8*3^1

Note that the nth term of the GP is 8*3^(t-1) but that does not apply here.