Determine how many mosquitos were in the area.

Question

The recent opening of a landfill in the area has caused the raccoon population to flourish, with an adverse effect on the number of purple martins (type of bird). Wildlife specialists believe the population of purple martins p will decrease as the population of raccoons, r, grows. The relationship between these two populations is represented by the equation p(r)= 750 - 3.75r. Mosquitos are the primary diet of purple martins (type of bird). Thus, the mosquito population m is a function of the population of purple martins p and is represented by the equation m (p) = 50,000 -45p. Suppose that there were no raccoons in the area before the landfill was opened. Use the functions given to determine how many mosquitos were in the area

Answer 1

the population of purple martins p 

the population of raccoons, r

p(r)= 750 - 3.75r

the mosquito population m

m (p) = 50,000 -45p.

 

So if r = 0  then p(0) = 750

m(p) = m(750) = 50,000 - 45 (750)

m = 16,250