An initial population of 7 chipmunks in mary's yard increases by 6% each year. if the function f(x) = abx models this situation, what is the population of the chipmunks in 5 years? (to the nearest whole number)

a) 9 chipmunks
b) 11 chipmunks
c) 15 chipmunks
d) 20 chipmunks

A. 9 chipmunks

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given that,

The initial population of chipmunks = 7

The rate of increase = 6% = 0.06

Since, the exponential growth function is modeled by, , where , 'r' = rate of increase and 'x' is the number of years.

So, we have, on comparing,

Then, the function modeling the given situation is, .

So, the population after 5 years is given by,

i.e.

i.e. f(5) ≈ 9.

Thus, there are 9 chipmunks after 5 years.

Hence, option A is correct.