Sorry if my answer is too late!
Anyway, this question has many steps in it.
1) find population change
ΔN = (births + immigration) - (deaths + emigration)
ΔN = 10 - 2
ΔN = 8 snakes
2) find growth rate
[tex]gr =\frac{n}{t} \\\\gr=\frac{8\ snakes}{1\ year} \\\\gr=8\ snakes/year[/tex]
3) subtract carrying capacity from original population
[tex]=72-48\\\\=24\ snakes[/tex]
4) divide number above by the growth rate
[tex]=\frac{24\ snakes}{8\ snakes/year}\\\\[/tex]
= 3 years?
It will take the population 3 years to reach carrying capacity so maybe 4 years to actually exceed it? It's definitely after 3 years but before 4.
