Lol. You guys are silly.
@leeor_net: I want to see that calculation! :p
Actually, using your figure of child bearing by 6, needing 2 people to produce offspring, needing 4 offspring per couple to double the population every generation (assuming no premature deaths), then each couple could meet their "quota" of 4 kids by age 10, giving 35 doubling periods in a 350 year span (350/10 = 35). That means the population will multiply by 2**35 at that growth rate, over a 350 year period.
2**35 = 34359738368 (34 billion)
Assuming you start with at least 2 colonists, that is possible. Granted, not every couple is ready to procreate by age 6, and of course there are occasional premature deaths. However, there is some wiggle room in that estimation. The initial number of colonists is likely larger than 2, so multiply by a bit. Plus, the estimation assumes 4 kids appear suddenly at 10 year increments, rather than 1 per year between the years 6-10, so that simplification actually retards the growth rate that is possible. Further, with artificial insemination, available today, it's possible to have many kids at once. It also extends the period of fertility for each female, since they can continue having kids even when their own eggs are no longer suitable. That means kids beyond age 40, not just kids beyond age 10. Mind you, the Outpost 2 storyline mucks with longevity, so who knows what number is appropriate.
As for how they'd manage that growth, I have no idea.
The thought also leads to some potentially disturbing conversations.
F: How many kids do you think we'll have?
M: We're going to have an army!
