When will the towns have the same number of people?

Question

The population of Smallville is 22,000 people  and is increasing by 500 people per year. The population of busy town is 43,000 people, but the population is declining by 200 people per year. 

Answer 1

y represents the number of years

 

22000 + 500y = 43000 - 200y      add 200 y to both sides

22000 + 700y = 43000                 subtract 22000 from both sides

700y = 21000                               divide both sides by 700

y = 3

 

The populations are equal after three years.