Final answer:
It will take approximately 11.67 years for Washington State University to double its online student population from 71,946 to 143,892 with an annual increase of 6%, according to the Rule of 70.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using the Rule of 70, we can estimate the number of years it will take for Washington State University to double its online student population given a yearly increase of 6%. The Rule of 70 states that to find the doubling time of a quantity growing at a constant annual percentage, you divide 70 by the growth rate. In this case, we divide 70 by the 6% growth rate.
70 ÷ 6% = 70 ÷ 6 = approximately 11.67 years
Therefore, it will take approximately 11.67 years for Washington State University to double its online student population from 71,946 to 143,892 at a 6% annual growth rate.