Question

Describe the process illustrated in the diagram above. How many individuals would exist if the process continued for one more generation?

Answer 1

Answer:

• The process illustrated can be described as the exponential growth of a population, starting with one individual, with a multiplicative growing rate of 2.

• If the process continued for one more generation, 8 individuals would exist.

Explanation:

The diagram illustrates the multiplication of individuals (population) by a factor of two. First generation consits of one individual (one green oval), second generation has two individuals (two green ovals), and third generation has four individuals (four green ovals).

Hence, you see that the individuals are growing with a multiplicative rate of 2:

• First generation: 1 individual

• Second genertation: 2 individuals = 2 × 1

• Third generation: 4 individuals = 2 × 2 = 4

Now you can calculate how many individuals would exist if the process continued for one more generation: just multiply the previous generation by 2:

• Number of individuals in a generation = 2 × number of individuals in the previous generation.

• Number of individuals in the fourth generation = 2 × number of individuals in the third generation.

• Number of individuals in the fourth generation = 2 × 4 = 8