Rewards shall be handed out
(Polynomial functions - Advanced Functions) (No derivatives)

The model P(t) = 2t^2 + 3t + 1 estimates the population of fish in a reservoir, where P represents the population in thousands and t is the number of years since 2000.

Estimate the rate at which the population is changing in 2002. Solve this algebraically.

Question

Rewards shall be handed out 
(Polynomial functions - Advanced Functions) (No derivatives)

The model P(t) = 2t^2 + 3t + 1 estimates the population of fish in a reservoir, where P represents the population in thousands and t is the number of years since 2000.

Estimate the rate at which the population is changing in 2002. Solve this algebraically.

anonymous · Answer

No derivatives? Seriously? Sometimes the teachers just hate us.

abb0t · Answer

Use limits.

anonymous · Answer

I have forgotten how to do that, may you please remind me?

abb0t · Answer

$$\lim_{h \rightarrow 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}$$

cruffo · Answer

As @abb0t said, you can use the difference quotient (use 2 for x  since you are interested in 2002 (two years after the start of the model)).

anonymous · Answer

Isn't limits from calculus though?

anonymous · Answer

4.1231056256176
Sometimes it's easier to just use derivatives.

abb0t · Answer

limits is the only thing from calculus, the calculation is all algebra and is simply the difference quotient as cruffo stated earlier.