Scientists studied a deer population for 10 years. They generated the function f(x) = 248(1.15)x to approximate the number of deer in the population x years after beginning the study. About how many deer are in the population 3 years after beginning the study?
Answer
A
251
B
377
C
856
D
1,003
Explanation
Substitute x = 3 into the population model: f(3) = 248(1.15)^3. Since (1.15)^3 ≈ 1.5209, the estimate is 248 × 1.5209 ≈ 377 deer. The correct choice is 377.
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