1. **Problem statement:** We start with a fox population of 1,500 in 2010, which grows by 2.5% per year. We want to find the expression for the population in 2050. 2. **Formula for exponential growth:** The population after $t$ years with an annual growth rate $r$ is given by: $$ P(t) = P_0 (1 + r)^t $$ where $P_0$ is the initial population, $r$ is the growth rate as a decimal, and $t$ is the number of years. 3. **Identify values:** - Initial population $P_0 = 1500$ - Growth rate $r = 2.5\% = 0.025$ - Number of years $t = 2050 - 2010 = 40$ 4. **Substitute values into the formula:** $$ P(40) = 1500 (1 + 0.025)^{40} = 1500 (1.025)^{40} $$ 5. **Interpretation:** This matches option D. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{1500 (1.025)^{40}}$$