Question

a scientist is developing a new method to reduce the population of a certain invasive insect species. for an experiment, the scientist starts with 2,500 insects. she predicts that her new method will reduce the number of insects in the experiment by 14% each week. write an exponential equation in the form y = a(b)^x that can model the predicted number of insects, y, in the experiment after x weeks. use whole numbers, decimals, or simplified fractions for the values of a and b. y =

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the initial value

The scientist starts with 2500 insects, so $a = 2500$.

Step2: Calculate the decay factor

The number of insects reduces by 14% each week. The decay - factor $b$ is $1 - 0.14=0.86$.

Answer:

$y = 2500(0.86)^x$