Question

The population of a small town increased from 25,056 people in 2002 36,720 in 2010 what is the percentage change in the population

Answer 1

well, we know in 2002 it was 25,056, then it ballooned to 36,720 in 2010, the difference is really 36720-25056 = 11664.

now, if we take 25,056(origin amount) to be the 100%, what's 11664 off of it in percentage?

`\begin{array}{ccll} amount&\%\\ \cline{1-2} 25056 & 100\\ 11664& x \end{array} \implies \cfrac{25056}{11664}~~=~~\cfrac{100}{x} \\\\\\ \cfrac{ 58 }{ 27 } ~~=~~ \cfrac{ 100 }{ x }\implies 58x=2700\implies x=\cfrac{2700}{58} \implies x\approx \stackrel{\%}{46.55}`