Question

a blight is spreading in a banana plantation. currently, 458 banana plants are infected. if the disease is spreading at a rate of 8% each year, how many plants will be infected in 8 years? if necessary, round your answer to the nearest whole number. banana plants

Explanation:

Step1: Define exponential growth formula

This is exponential growth, use $A = P(1 + r)^t$, where $P=458$, $r=0.08$, $t=8$.

Step2: Substitute values into formula

$A = 458(1 + 0.08)^8$

Step3: Calculate growth factor first

$(1.08)^8 \approx 1.85093$

Step4: Multiply by initial infected plants

$A \approx 458 \times 1.85093$

Step5: Compute final value and round

$A \approx 847.726$，round to nearest whole number.

Answer:

848 banana plants