In 1992, the moose population in a park was measured to be 4580. By 1998, the population was measured again to be 4820. If the population continues to change linearly:

Question

In 1992, the moose population in a park was measured to be 4580. By 1998, the population was measured again to be 4820. If the population continues to change linearly:

Find a formula for the moose population, PP, in terms of tt, the years since 1990.

P(t)=

What does your model predict the moose population to be in 2008?

Answer 1

1992 4580 moose

1998 4820 moose

2008 5220 moose

in 6 years moose increased by 4820-4580 = 240 moose

each year the moose increase by 240/6 = 40 moose

let t=0 mean 1992

t= number of years since 1992

t=6 means 1998

for 2008, t= 16

P(t) = 4580 +40t

P(16) = 4580+40(16) = 4580+640 = 5220 moose in 2008