Question

In 2000, the total population of the U.S. was 281.4 million people. In 2010, it was 308.7 million people. What is the average rate of change in the total population over this time period?

2.73 million people per year


27.3 million people per year



13.6 million people per year



1.36 million people per year

Answer 1

2.73 million people per year

Explanation:

Turn sentences into coordinates/points:

In 2000, 281.4 million people

• (x₁, y₁) = (2000, 281.4)

In 2010, 308.7 million people

• (x₂, y₂) = (2010, 308.7)

Rate of population per year:

`\sf (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2- x_1) \ \ where \ (x_1 , \ y_1), ( x_2 , \ y_2) \ are \ points`

`\rightarrow \sf (308.7-281.4)/(2010-2000)`

`\rightarrow \sf 2.73 \ million \ people`