Biologists notice that a population of ferrets introduced into a reserve begins to show exponential growth. The figures represent the population of the ferrets for the first four years after their introduction. Which set of figures represents the exponential growth of the ferrets? A. 50, 88, 145, 227 B. 50, 92, 90, 95 C. 50, 32, 17, 9 D. 50, 95, 59, 97

A. 50, 88, 145, 227

Explanation:

The correct option would be option A.

When something grows exponentially, it means the growth increased at a high rate. More specifically, each rate of increase results in more or less doubling of the preceding rate. For example, if the current value of growth rate is 2 for a substance that is growing exponentially, the next growth rates will be 4, 8, 16, etc.

In this particular illustration, the only option that best fit into an exponential system is option A in which the growth rate more or less doubles each time from 50 to 88, from 88 to 145, and then from 145 to 227.