ANSWER:
3063
Explanation:
The first thing is to create an equation that models the situation with the data of the statement:
![\begin{gathered} y=A\cdot(1-r)^x \\ \\ \text{ Where y is the best population prediction, A is the initial amount, r is the rate of decline, and x is the elapsed time.} \\ \\ \text{ We replacing:} \\ \\ y=3500(1-2.2\%)^x \\ \\ y=3500(1-0.022)^x=3500(0.978)^x \end{gathered}]()
We evaluate when x = 6, since the time elapsed between 2016 - 2022 is 6 years and we would be left with the following:
![\begin{gathered} y=3500\cdot\left(0.978\right)^6 \\ \\ y=3062.676\approx3063 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/2vuve5xv76iylmu4u20c76eund2308kx4i.png)
The best prediction of the population in the year 2022 is 3063