

0 0 0 F4 F5
s1 0 0 0 0
0 s2 0 0 0
0 0 s3 0 0
0 0 0 s4 s5

=


0 0 0 1.7 2.9
0.14 0 0 0 0
0 0.7 0 0 0
0 0 0.75 0 0
0 0 0 0.8 0.85

(1)
where F4 and F5 are the fecundity rates of adults and matriarchs, and s1, s2, s3, s4 and s5 the
age-specific survival rates of female cheetahs.
Question. The largest or dominant eigenvalue of L, denoted λd, determines the fate of the
cheetah population. If λd> 1 the population grows, if λd< 1 then it is in decline. The higher λd
the healthier the chances that the cheetah population will persist. What is the dominant eigenvalue
of L in equation (1)?