Question

People who are 65 years of age or older make up 12.5% of a certain country's total population. If there are 31.4 million people in this age group, find the total population of the country.

The total population is approximately:
A) 235.7 million people.
B) 251.2 million people.
C) 251.6 million people.
D) 256.8 million people.

Answer 1

To find the total population of the country, divide the number of elderly people (31.4 million) by the percentage they represent as a decimal (0.125). The answer is 251.2 million people, which corresponds to option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks for the calculation of the total population of a country given that people who are 65 years of age or older make up 12.5% of the total population and number 31.4 million. To find the total population, we use the proportion:

12.5% of total population = 31.4 million people

We can convert the percentage to a decimal (0.125) and set up the equation:

0.125 (Total Population) = 31.4 million

Dividing both sides by 0.125 gives:

Total Population = 31.4 million / 0.125

Total Population = 251.2 million people

Therefore, the correct answer is: B) 251.2 million people.