In 1992, the moose population in a park was measured to be 4620. By 1996, the population was measured again to be 4020. If the population continues to change linearly:
Find a formula for the moose population, P, in terms of t, the years since 1990.
P(t)=
What does your model predict the moose population to be in 2002?
Let t = the number of years since 1992. Let k = the linear coefficient.
In 1992, we can represent the population as P=4620 + kt = 4620 + k(0) = 4620 (but we knew that). We can then use P=4620 + kt for our 1996 population:
P=4620 + k(4) = 4020
4k = 4020 - 4620 = -600
4k = -600
k = -150
So our equation is P = 4620 - 150t.
I'll leave it to the student to determine the 2002 population.
Was the 1992 moose population 4280 or 4620? This will make a big difference in the slope and intercept of your equation and the expected value for 2002.
Eric H.
Robert L.
Jessica P.
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