Question

The current population of a small city is 37000 people. Due to a loss of jobs, the population is decreasing by an average of 275 people per year. How many years (from now) will it take for the population to decrease to 35350 people?

A) Write an equation you can use to answer this question. Be sure all the numbers given above appear in your equation. Use x as your variable and use no commas in your equation.
The equation is:

B) Solve your equation in part [A] for x.
Answer: x=

Answer 1

Part A

x = number of years

275x = number of people that left the city after x years go by

37000 - 275x = number of remaining people after x years

37000 - 275x = 35350 is the final answer to part A

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Part B

37000 - 275x = 35350

-275x = 35350 - 37000

-275x = -1650

x = -1650/(-275)

x = 6

It takes exactly 6 years to have the population reach 35350.