A population of flies grows according to the function p(x) = 5(2)x, where x is measured in weeks. A local spider has set up shop and consumes flies according to the function s(x) = 3x + 2. What is the population of flies after three weeks with the introduced spider?
x is the number of weeks. We have 2 weeks, so x = 3 1. Calculate the population of flies after 3 weeks: p(3) = ? 2. Calculate how much flies are eaten by the spider after 3 weeks: s(3) = ? 3. Subtract the number of flies after 3 weeks and eaten flies after three weeks: p(3) - s(3) = ?
