This Project solves a math riddle... Two rats, one male and one female were castaways on a ship from which they disembarked on a deserted island in late December to make a new life together in the island paradise. With no predators and plenty of food, these conditions are ideal for the rats to start a great big rat family. In estimating the size of the population, you should make the following assumptions: 1. The number of young produced in every litter is six, three of which are males, three of which are females. 2. The original female gives birth to six young on January 1 (Day 0) and produces another litter of six every 40 days thereafter as long as she lives. 3. Each female born on the island will produce her first litter 120 days after her birth and then produce a new litter every 40 days thereafter. 4. No rats will die. What will be the total number of rats by the following January 1, including the original pair? After 2 years? Press the space bar to advance 40 days and one breeding cycle.
Adapted from Fendel, D.M., Resek, D., Alper, L., & Fraser, S. (2004). Interactive Mathematics Program: integrated high school mathematics, year 2.
