The population of a town decreased from 217,000 to 213,000 in 2 years. Assuming this trend continues what will the pop be in 3 additional years??

Question

anonymous · Answer

12.000

campbell_st · Answer

is a linear function or exponential growth and decay..

anonymous · Answer

Difference of 217,000 and 213,000 is 4,000. So the population decreased by 4000 in two years to 213,000 people. So for three additional years it will decrease by 213,000 – (4000+2000) =  207,000

campbell_st · Answer

I'll assume exponential 

find the decay constant 

$$P _{0} = 217000, t = 2$$

$$ A = P _{0}e^{-kt}$$\

$$213000 = 217000e^{-2k}$$

$$-2k = \ln(213000/217000)$$

k = 0.009303

so the equation is

$$A = 217000e^{-0.009303t}$$

substitute t = 5 and solve to find the population