A Math Problem

[shsilver]

My older daughter has a math problem: An island has a bunny population of 24. If the population triples each year, how many bunnies will there be after 22 years?

My answer: 0, after five years a tidal wave wiped out the entire bunny population on the island.

That's known as quality parenting.

Comments

[purpleranger]

Is her teacher going to accept that answer?

[filkertom]

You're assuming they don't go carnivorous, eventually evolving into approximately fourteen mutant super flesh-eating bunnies each the size of cement trucks. Of course, in that instance the island is overrun within six months by bowling-ball-sized rabbit turds, so the biggest problem may be Greenpeace going to war with PETA.

[j_cheney]

Good answer! (As a math teacher, I have to point out though that she won't get full credit for it...)

[samwinolj]

What's the death rate?

[stevegreen]

Exactly: bunnies aren't reknowned for their longevity.

[thomasyan]

Huh. We're told neither birth rate nor death rate, just that their numbers triple each year.

[barondave]

If all they hit are triples in 22 seasons, they'll all be sent down to the Bunny minor leagues. So your answer holds.