Question

A snake lives 6 years and
could begin reproducing at 1 year old or wait to a later age.
If it begins reproducing now it can produce 5 eggs per year.
If it waits and continues to grow, it can increase the number of eggs it can produce by 2 per year for every year it delays reproduction. To achieve the greatest number of eggs in its lifetime,
at what age would it be best for it to begin reproducing?

Answer 1

The snake produces when 1 year old = 5 eggs.

Ever year delay increases the number of eggs it can produce = 2 eggs per year delay.

The snake thus when 5 years old (as it lives for 6 years) will have the chances to produce the greatest number of eggs.

With every year delay increasing 2 eggs more per year, in the 4 year delay (5-1 = 4) there will be an increase by = 4 x 2 = 8 eggs more.

So the snake will produce 8 eggs more if it starts reproducing when is 5 years old and this will yield = 5 + 8 = 13 eggs per year.