The value of lambda (?) for a population that has an equal proportion of males and females and produces on average one offspring per year for each pair of parents, assuming no mortality, would be: A. 1.25

B. 0.5

C. 1.5

D. 2.0

E. 1.0

The correct answer is option C, that is, 1.5.

Explanation:

As the population exhibits an equal ratio of males and females and the rate of mortality is zero, thus, assuming the following values:

N0 = 2, that is, population at present considering a solitary couple.

N1 = 3, that is, population at the end of one year comprising the offspring

Presuming that the population is demonstrating discrete exponential growth/geometric growth one can use the formula:

/lambda (finite/geometric rate of increase of a population) = / frac {N1} {N0}

/lambda = / frac {3}{2} = 1.5

Thus, the value of lambda for the given population is 1.5.