Final answer:
To find the population of the city in 2000 before a 42% increase, divide the 2010 population by 1.42. The population in 2000 is approximately 88,599 residents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The city population in 2010 after growing by 42% is given as 125,812. To find its population in 2000, we need to calculate the original population before the 42% increase. The calculation can be done by dividing the 2010 population by 1 plus the percentage growth expressed as a decimal:
Population in 2000 = Population in 2010 / (1 + Percentage Increase)
So, the population in 2000 would be 125,812 / (1 + 0.42), which calculates to:
Population in 2000 = 125,812 / 1.42
Population in 2000 ≈ 88,599 (rounded to the nearest whole number)
The city had approximately 88,599 residents in the year 2000.