An ecologist is studying the growth of a tree population in a national park. The number of trees, in hundreds,

is increasing exponentially over time. The three data

points on the graph represent the number of trees at the

beginning of the study, and at 3 years and 6 years after

the study began.

Tree Population, in hundreds

(0.3)

O

10

(3.6)

(6,12)

10

Years since study began

Question 1:

Describe, in words, how the number of trees is changing over time. What can you infer about the initial

growth pattern of this tree population?

Question 2:

Write an equation to express the initial number of trees, T(t), in hundreds, as a function of time t, in years,

since the start of the study.

Question 3:

Given the initial exponential growth, when will the tree population reach 2,700? Explain how you determined

your answer.