Final answer:
After 5 years, the change in the population of the small town, losing 24 residents per year, would be a decrease of 120 residents.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a small town is losing residents at a rate of 24 residents per year, and this pattern continues for 5 years, we can calculate the total change in population by multiplying the annual loss by the number of years. The formula for the total change is:Total Change = Annual Change × Number of Years
Plugging in the values from the question:
Total Change = 24 residents/year × 5 years
Total Change = 120 residents
Therefore, the change in relation to the original population after 5 years will be –120 residents, which means the population will have decreased by 120 residents over that period.