In 1990, the population of the Midwest was about 60 million. During the 1990s, the population of this area increased an average of about 0.4 million per year. The population of the West was about 53 million in 1990. The population of this area increased an average of about 1 million per year during the 1990s. Assume that the rate of growth of these areas remains the same. Estimate when the population of the West would be equal to the population of the Midwest.

Question

math&ing001 · Answer

Let x be the number of years that's gonna take for the two populations to be equal. 60+0.4x=53+x
Solve for x. The year when the two populations to be equal will be 1990+x.

anonymous · Answer

I do not get it

math&ing001 · Answer

Did you study how to solve a linear equation ?

anonymous · Answer

X = 11.6667

math&ing001 · Answer

Yep ! So the population of the West would be equal to the population of the Midwest at around 2002.

anonymous · Answer

do you write it like this 
60 + 0.4 x = 53 + x

Solve for x. 

1990+x

X =  11.6667

math&ing001 · Answer

Yeah, all I did after was 1990+x=1990+11.6667=2001.6667
And because it's a year we round it up to 2002.