In 2009, the number of feral Quaker Parrots living in Austin was 250. In 1992, there were only 15 feral Quaker Parrots. Let Q represent the number of feral Quaker Parrots at t years since 1990.
a) Write Q as a linear function of t. What is the slope? What does it tell you about the trend of Quaker Parrots in Austin?
b) Now, rewrite Q as an exponential function of t. What is the growth rate? What does it tell you about the trend of Quaker Parrots in Austin?
c) What is the predicted number of Quaker Parrots in 2020 based on the linear model? With the exponential model?
d) If, in 2020, the actual number of Parrots observed turns out to be 1400, which model seems to be a more reliable predictor of the data? Explain how your know this.