Question

If in an exponentially growing population, b > d then

• A. the value of r is negative
• B. the value of r is positive
• C. the value of r is not affected
• D. the value of r becomes zero

Answer 1

The correct option is B the value of r is positive

A population follows the exponential growth model when the resources in its habitat are unlimited. For such a population, b represents the birth rate, i.e. the total number of live births in a population per year and d is the death rate, i.e. the total number of deaths in a population per year.

The value of b-d = r which is also known as the intrinsic rate of natural increase. More the value of r, faster is the growth rate of a population.

If b > d, r is positive i.e. population size is increasing

If b < d, r is negative i.e. population size is decreasing

If b = d, r is 0, i.e. there is no growth in population.