A group of scientists studied the invasion of a species in an area and its effect on the population of a native species. Determine the percent decrease in the native species population between years 1 and 2 and years 2 and 3.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|}
\hline
& \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{Population of Native Species} \\
\hline
Year 1 & 7,950 \\
\hline
Year 2 & 3,460 \\
\hline
Year 3 & 1,380 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. [tex]$49.6 \%$[/tex] and [tex]$55.3 \%$[/tex]
B. [tex]$56.5 \%$[/tex] and [tex]$60.1 \%$[/tex]
C. [tex]$52.5 \%$[/tex] and [tex]$63.3 \%$[/tex]
D. [tex]$50.4 \%$[/tex] and [tex]$68.9 \%$[/tex]
E. [tex]$54.3 \%$[/tex] and [tex]$67.6 \%$[/tex]



Answer :

Alright, let's determine the percent decrease in the native species population between years 1 and 2, and between years 2 and 3.

1. Population Values:
- Year 1: 7,950
- Year 2: 3,460
- Year 3: 1,380

2. Percent Decrease Calculation:

a. Percent Decrease between Year 1 and Year 2:
- Initial population (Year 1): [tex]\( 7,950 \)[/tex]
- New population (Year 2): [tex]\( 3,460 \)[/tex]

The formula for percent decrease is:
[tex]\[ \text{Percent Decrease} = \left( \frac{\text{Initial Population} - \text{New Population}}{\text{Initial Population}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]

Applying the values:
[tex]\[ \text{Percent Decrease} = \left( \frac{7,950 - 3,460}{7,950} \right) \times 100 \approx 56.48\% \][/tex]

b. Percent Decrease between Year 2 and Year 3:
- Initial population (Year 2): [tex]\( 3,460 \)[/tex]
- New population (Year 3): [tex]\( 1,380 \)[/tex]

Applying the values similarly:
[tex]\[ \text{Percent Decrease} = \left( \frac{3,460 - 1,380}{3,460} \right) \times 100 \approx 60.12\% \][/tex]

3. Matching the Percent Decrease with Options:
- Given the calculated percent decreases are approximately 56.48% for the period between Year 1 and Year 2, and 60.12% for the period between Year 2 and Year 3.

Comparing these with the provided options:
A. 49.6% and 55.3%
B. 56.5% and 60.1%
C. 52.5% and 63.3%
D. 50.4% and 68.9%
E. 54.3% and 67.6%

The closest match is:
B. 56.5% and 60.1%

Therefore, the percent decrease in the native species population is approximately 56.5% between years 1 and 2, and 60.1% between years 2 and 3, making option B the correct answer.

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