7
advanced-mathA colony of ants grows from 2,000 to 32,000 in 5 weeks. Assuming exponential growth, what is the weekly growth factor?
A
2
B
16
C
4
D
6
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. Find the weekly growth factor.
- Formula: where , .
- Solve: , so .
- Recognize: , but we need , so .
- Verify: ... Wait, that's wrong. Let me recalculate: , so .
💡 Strategic Tip: The factor multiplied over all periods is 16, so weekly factor is .
Choice B is incorrect because this is the total growth factor, not weekly. Choice C is incorrect because this would give . Choice D is incorrect because the calculation doesn't match.