Question

Need Help Immediately!!!!! In 2010, the population of South Carolina was approximately 4,600,000. During the next two years, the population increased by approximately 45,000 people each year.

a. Write an equation in slope-intercept form that represents the population, y, of South Carolina in terms of the number of years, x, since 2010.

b. Estimate the population of South Carolina in 2030 if this trend continues.

Answer 1

a. y = 22,500x + 4,600,000

b. 5,050,000

y = mx + b

4,600,000 is our b intercept because it is the population we start out with (since 2010).

y = mx + 4,600,000

Half of 45,000, 22,500 acts as the rate per year (the m). This is because the problem had stated that South Carolina gained 45,000 people in 2 years.

This gives us: y = 22,500x + 4,600,000

For b, just input 20 years in the equation just made. The 20 is from the difference of 2030 and 2010.

y = 22,500(20)+4,600,000 Multiply 22,500 & 20

y = 450,000 + 4,600,000 Add 450,000 & 4,600,000

Then you get

y = 5,050,000