An exponential function can either represent population growth or population decay
The question is incomplete, as the resources to model the population of the Western Lowland Gorillas are not given.
However, the following is a general guide to solve the question.
An exponential function is represented as:
[tex]y=a(1 \pm r)^x[/tex]
Where:
Given that the population of the Western Lowland Gorillas decreases, then the rate of the function would be 1 -r (i.e. an exponential decay)
Take for instance:
[tex]y = 20000 * 0.98^x[/tex]
By comparison.
a = 2000 and 1 - r = 0.98
The above function can be used to model the population of the Western Lowland Gorillas
Read more about exponential functions at:
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