A town's population has been growing linearly. In 2003 the population was 35,000. The population has been growing by 1700 people each year.

Question

A town's population has been growing linearly. In 2003 the population was 35,000. The population has been growing by 1700 people each year.

Write an equation for the population, P, x years after 2003.

P = 

Use the formula to find the population in 2009:

Answer 1

P(x) = 35000 + 1700x; where x number of years after 2003

In 2009 time x = 2009 - 2003 = 6, so P(6) = 35000 + 1700·6 = 45200

Answer 2

P(x) = 3500 + 1700x

P(6) = 3500 + 1700(6)