The two groups of rabbits grow exponentially and linearly respectively.
For group M with an exponential growth model where the population doubles each year, we have the model to be:
[tex]P(t)=5(2)^t[/tex]For group N with a linear model, we have the model to be:
[tex]P(t)=10+mt[/tex]where m is the rate of change of the population of rabbits.
After 3 years, both populations are equal. Hence, we can put t = 3 into the equations and equate them to one another:
[tex]5(2)^3=10+3m[/tex]Solving for m, we have:
[tex]\begin{gathered} 40=10+3m \\ 3m=40-10=30 \\ m=\frac{30}{3} \\ m=10 \end{gathered}[/tex]OPTION D is correct.