Question

select the correct answer.
which of the following situations would lead to the largest overall increase in population?
a. high death rates, low birthrates
b. low death rates, high birthrates
c. low death rates, low birthrates
d. high death rates, high birthrates

Explanation:

To determine the situation with the largest population increase, we analyze birth and death rates. Population growth depends on the balance between births (adding to population) and deaths (subtracting from population).

• Option A (high death rates, low birthrates): High deaths and low births would likely decrease or minimally increase population.
• Option B (low death rates, high birthrates): Low deaths mean fewer people are removed from the population, and high births mean many are added. This combination maximizes net population growth.
• Option C (low death rates, low birthrates): With low births, even low deaths may lead to slow or no growth.
• Option D (high death rates, high birthrates): High deaths offset high births, leading to less growth than Option B.

So, low death rates (fewer losses) and high birthrates (more gains) create the largest overall population increase.

Answer:

B. low death rates, high birthrates