Question

A town’s population increases at a constant rate. In 2010 the population was 56,000 . By 2012 the population had increased to 81,000 . If this trend continues, predict the population in 2016. The population will be Number in 2016.

Answer 1

Given: A town's population increases at a constant rate. In 2010 the population was 56,000. By 2012 the population had increased to 81,000.

Required: To predict the population in 2016.

Explanation: The population is increasing at a constant rate. In 2 years, the increase in population is-

`81000-56000=25000`

Thus the slope (or rate of change of population per year) is-

`(25000)/(2)=12500`

Thus, in 2016 after 6 years, the increase in population will be-

`12500*6=75000`

Hence, the population in 2016 will be-

`56000+75000=131000`

Final Answer: The population will be 131,000 in 2016.