Home / iGCSE Mathematics (0580) :E1.17 Use exponential growth and decay in relation to population and finance.iGCSE Style Questions Paper 2

iGCSE Mathematics (0580) :E1.17 Use exponential growth and decay in relation to population and finance.iGCSE Style Questions Paper 2

Question

At the end of 2021 there were 27,000 rhinos living in the wild.

The number of rhinos is expected to decrease exponentially by 3% each year.

Work out the number of rhinos expected to be living in the wild 4 years later, at the end of 2025.

Give your answer correct to the nearest whole number.

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution

Ans: 23,903

Annual decrease factor = 1 – 0.03 = 0.97

Number after 4 years = 27,000 × (0.97)^4

Calculate: 27,000 × 0.88529281 ≈ 23,902.9059

Round to nearest whole number: 23,903

Question

At the start of an experiment there are 40,000 bacteria.

The number of bacteria increases at a rate of 15% per hour. 

Calculate the number of bacteria after 3 hours.

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution

Ans: 60,835

Use compound growth formula: 40,000 × (1.15)³

First hour: 40,000 × 1.15 = 46,000

Second hour: 46,000 × 1.15 = 52,900

Third hour: 52,900 × 1.15 = 60,835

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