Recursion formula for a given population for each interval,n, at a time, and k is a constant called the Malthusian factor:

Question

a_n=ka_n-1(1-a_n-1)

- Assuming n is measured in weeks, calculate the insect population for weeks 2, 3, and 4 if the initial population is 112, and the Malthusian factor for this population is -9.5

-Assuming n is measured in years, and the Malthusian factor for a species of insects is -1, what is the population in year 9 if the population in year 10 is 200?

Anyone know what's up?

Answer 1

Sure. It's all clearly explained. For the first one,

a_1 = 112
a_2 = -9.5*112(1-112) = 118104
and so on.

Similarly for the other example.