Biologists conducted a 20-year study of fruit bat
populations in a small African country. The
polynomial function p(x) models the fruit bat population
from the year 1990 (when x=0) to the
year 2010 (when x=20).
Fruit Bat Population
(thousands)
Time Since 1990 (years)
X
a. At what point during the 20-year study was the fruit
bat population the highest? What was the population
at that time?
b. Determine the average rate of change of the fruit
bat population from the year 1994 to the year2002.
Explain the meaning of your answer in terms of the
problem situation.
c. Determine the average rate of change of the fruit
bat population over the entire 20-year study. Explain
the meaning of your answer in terms of the problem
situation.
