When Will the Population Be a Minimum and the Rate of Change Be a Maximum?

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The discussion focuses on determining the minimum population and maximum rate of change of a species given the function f(t) = (2t-1) / (t^2-t+0.5). Participants clarify that the function represents the population dynamics over time, with a maximum supported species count of 120 and an initial introduction of 75 animals. To find the minimum population, the first derivative is set to zero, leading to a critical point at t = 1/2. For the maximum rate of change, the second derivative is analyzed, resulting in a critical point at t = 30.5. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting the function in relation to population changes.
huan.conchito
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Given a function f(t) = (2t-1) / (t^2-t+0.5)
max supported species = 120, and t is the time.
if 75 animals are introduced into te refuge the population changes at a rate of f(t)
What needs to be done to obtain
a ) Find when the population will be a minimum
and to find
b) When the rate of change of the population will be a maximum
 
Last edited:
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Theoretically

a)f'(x)=0,f''(x)>0
b)f''(x)=0,f'''(x)<0...

Daniel.
 
i still don't get it
 
Are you sure you don't mean f(t)?

I'll assume that you do. In that case, what conditions are necessary for a differentiable function to have a minimum at a point? Look at your notes if you don't remember.
 
No need to look at the notes,i wrote them,before he's edited his post & spell out the function...

Daniel.
 
yup is f(t)
 
Then solve it...Set those derivatives to zero and verify the nature of the critical points.

Daniel.
 
i found the minimum at t= 1/2
how do i go about part b?
for part b i got
f''(t)= 2(2t-1)
2(2t-1)=120 -> t =30.5
is that the time of the max population?
 
Last edited:
huan.conchito said:
Given a function f(x) = (2t-1) / (t^2-t+0.5)
Okay we have a function.

max supported species = 120, 75 are initially introduced.
and t is the time.

What needs to be done to obtain
a ) Find when the population will be a minimum
and to find
b) When the rate of change of the population will be a maximum

?? What happened to f? what does f have to do with the population?
Have you left something out- like f(t) is the population at time t? But I notice that f(0)= -2, not 75 and the maximum of f is 2, not 120. What does f have to do with the population?
 
  • #10
if 75 animals are introduced into te refuge the population changes at a rate of f(t)
 

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