Calculating Aphid Population Growth: A Summer Homework Problem

[xpsellia]

Homework Statement

In summer months, female aphids reproduce by parthenogenesis, giving birth to females from unfertilized eggs. These females mature within 24 h and begin reproducing in the same way. Assume that each female aphid produces two females the day after she herself is born, then she dies. If there is a single female aphid on June 1, how many aphids would there be under ideal conditions by August 31.

Homework Equations

I'm sure you need to create one but I am not sure how.

The Attempt at a Solution

Well there are 92 days right? So then,

2^92= 4.95 x 10^27 aphids on Aug 31. I am not totally sure if this is the right answer and if this is how you even calculate it or not and whether it should be 91 or 92 days. Thanks in advance if anyone can help out! :)

 

[Borek]

Are you asked for a formula, or just for a number? I have a feeling that it will be easier to calculate the number in a spreadsheet - put 1 aphid into A1, 3 aphids into A2 (on these days there is olnly one), and try to express A3 as a function of A1 and A2. Then just copy the formula into fields down to A92.