The pheasant population on an island is declining at a rate of 1.7% per year. The population was 4600 in the year 2009.

Which answer is the best prediction of the population in the year 2015?

4150

4120

4080

4010

4150 is the best prediction of population in year 2015

A reduction of 1.7% will mean that 98.3% will remain.

so, reduction factor of 0.983/year

=> A (t) = A (0) x (0.983) ^t

Then, after 6 years we have:

A (6) = 4600 x (0.983) ⁶ = > 4150