The following formula models the number of prison inmates, P, in thousands, who are in U.S. prisons x years after 1980.

P = 2 x^2+24 x+336

Find the first year in which the population of U.S. prisons was approximately 1146 thousand people.

Question

The following formula models the number of prison inmates, P, in thousands, who are in U.S. prisons x years after 1980.

P = 2 x^2+24 x+336

Find the first year in which the population of U.S. prisons was approximately 1146 thousand people.

anonymous · Answer

Set P equal to 1.146 and solve for x add this to 1980 (base year) and you're done

anonymous · Answer

Thank You

anonymous · Answer

Does that make sense? 
It's 1.146 since they want it in thousands

anonymous · Answer

yes it makes a bit more sense.

anonymous · Answer

In this problem population is a function of years
If they asked you what was the population at a given year was it would be easy they want you to rework it