the population of spring city was 15,000 in 1990, and 7250 in 2000. Create a linear equation to represent this situation. According to your equation, what will the population be in the year 2006?

Answer 1

If there are 15,000 people in 1990 and

- 7,250 people in 2000, I first subtract to find out the difference in 10 years

= 7,750 people and divide by 10 to = 775 people decrease per year.

So I make a linear equation of y= 15,000 -775x . ( x equals the number of years from 1990, my starting point).

2006 = 16 years from 1990. So, y= 15,000 - 775(16)

= 15,000-12,300

= 2,,700 people left in Spring City in year 2006

Answer 2

Start with two point form:

(y - 15000) / (x - 1990) = (7250 - 15000) / 2000 - 1990)

(y - 15000) / (x - 1990) = -7750 / 10

y - 15000 = -775(x - 1990)

y - 15000 = -775x + 1542250

y = -775x + 1557250

For the population in 2006, substitute 16 for x and simplify.