A nest of ants has been growing exponentially in such a way that its population, P, as a function of w weeks is given by P(w)=24, 000(1.063)^w Matthew claims that the population of ants is growing at a rate of 0.9% per day. Explain why Matthew’s claim is too high of a rate.

0.9%

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that:

A nest of ant is represented by the exponential growth function :

P(w)=24,000(1.063)^w

Where w = number of weeks

Recall :

Growth function is generally represented as :

P(t) = A(1 + r)^t

Where ; A is the initial population figure; r = growth rate and t = time

Hence, the growth rate per week of the function given is :

(1 + r) = 1.063

r = 1.063 - 1

r = 0.063

Number of days in a week = 7

Hence, growth rate per day = r /7

0.063 / 7

= 0.009

(0.009 * 100%) = 0.9%