Exponential Growth and Decay Algebra 1

Question

Suppose the population of a town is 127,000 in 2014. The population increases at a rate of 5.2 percent every year. What will the population of the town be in 2020? Round your answer to the nearest whole number, and show all work.

Answer 1

We can use the exponential model of P = P₀(1 + r)^t where P is the current population, P₀ is the initial population, r is the rate of population growth and t is the time that has passed. When we plug the known values into this equation, we get

P = 127000(1 + 0.052)⁶

P = 172146

Answer 2

y= (127000)(1.052)^t where t is 6 years from 2014 to 2020

y=(127000)(1.052)^6= 172046