Easy -1.8 This is a straightforward substitution question requiring only t=0 to be plugged into the given formula, followed by basic arithmetic (200/(1+9) = 20). It's a 1-mark multiple-choice question testing simple function evaluation with no problem-solving or conceptual understanding required beyond recognizing that 'start of investigation' means t=0.
A zoologist is investigating the growth of a population of red squirrels in a forest.
She uses the equation \(N = \frac{200}{1 + 9e^{-\frac{t}{5}}}\) as a model to predict the number of squirrels, \(N\), in the population \(t\) weeks after the start of the investigation.
What is the size of the squirrel population at the start of the investigation?
Circle your answer.
[1 mark]
\(5\) \(\quad\) \(20\) \(\quad\) \(40\) \(\quad\) \(200\)
A zoologist is investigating the growth of a population of red squirrels in a forest.
She uses the equation $N = \frac{200}{1 + 9e^{-\frac{t}{5}}}$ as a model to predict the number of squirrels, $N$, in the population $t$ weeks after the start of the investigation.
What is the size of the squirrel population at the start of the investigation?
Circle your answer.
[1 mark]
$5$ $\quad$ $20$ $\quad$ $40$ $\quad$ $200$
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Paper 2 Q2 [1]}}