A town's population has been growing linearly

Question

In 2003 the population was 54,000.

The population has been growing by 2200 people each year.

Need to write an equation for the population, p, x years after 2003 and use the formula to find the population in 2009.

I have never been good at answering questions like this and have always struggled with them.

Answer 1

If the population in 2003 was 54,000, the population in 2004 was 54,000 + 2200. In 2005, the population was 54,000 + 2200(2).

So, x years after 2003, the population was 54,000 + 2200x. Of course, we write it backwards.

p = 2200x + 54,000

Now the 2nd part is up to you. Go!