Question

The population of a town can be modeled by the functionP(t) = 20,696(0.9974)^t, where t is the number of years that have passed sincethe year 2000.Which statement is true about the population of the town for each year since2000?A. It has been decreasing by 0.26% each year.B. It has been decreasing by 0.0026% each year.C. It has been increasing by 0.9974% each year.D. It has been increasing by 99.74% each year.

Answer 1

To calculate at what percentage is increasing or decreasing the function, we can make a value table:

So, to calculate the increasing or decreasing percentage, you have to:

1. Subtract the starting value by the next value

2. Divide it by the starting value

3. Multiply it by 100

`(20588-20642)/(20642)*100=-0.26`

Because it's a negative percentage we know that it's decreasing by a 0.26% each year.