The monthly percentage change in population (compared to the previous month) of mice in a lab is given: Month 1 change was +5%, Month 2 change was −2%, and Month 3 change was −3%. Which of the following statement(s) are true? The initial population is p.
The population after three months was p × × 0.03.
The population after three months was p × × 0.97.
The population after three months was p + 0.05 − 0.02 − 0.03.
The population after three months was p.
The population after three months was more than p.
The population after three months was less than p.
Explanation
For compound changes, multiply the factors: p × × 0.97 = p × 0.99813. This is slightly less than p, so statement (vi) is also true. The population decreased overall despite the initial increase.