Alegebra 1: modelling linear growth in population

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Missy

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Jan 16, 2008
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I. Linear Growth:
Suppose that the town has a fixed increase in population growth number of population increase each year.

Choose the amount of population growth each year = __2_____
(Hint: Choose a whole number for your growth rate, rather than a percent.)

a) Fill in the following chart:

Year (t) Population (P)
t = 0
(2010) _2000_____

t = 1
(2011) 4000
t = 2
(2012) 8000
t = 3
(2013) 16,000
t = 6
(2016) 32,000

b) Find a linear equation in the form P = mt + b (y = mx + b), which gives the population, P, t years from 2010.
Can you tell me If I have done the chart correctly and what steps should I take for part be. Thank you
 
Re: Alegebra 1

Missy said:
I. Linear Growth:
Suppose that the town has a fixed increase in population growth number of population increase each year.

Choose the amount of population growth each year = __2_____
(Hint: Choose a whole number for your growth rate, rather than a percent.)

a) Fill in the following chart:

Year (t) Population (P)
t = 0
(2010) _2000_____

t = 1
(2011) 4000
t = 2
(2012) 8000
t = 3
(2013) 16,000
t = 6
(2016) 32,000

b) Find a linear equation in the form P = mt + b (y = mx + b), which gives the population, P, t years from 2010.
Can you tell me If I have done the chart correctly and what steps should I take for part be. Thank you
Click to expand...

According to my interpretation,

The growth rate is linear - thus it grows by constant amount (not %).

You have doubled the population every year so the population growth (as you calculated) 2000, 4000, etc.

Instead you need to choose a constant amount (say 2000.

So your table will look like:
Code: 
year     Population
 2010    2000
 2011    4000
 2012    6000
 2013    8000
 2014   10000...etc.
 
thank you for showing me how to do the chart, How would I go about finding a linear equation in the form P= mt +b (y=mx + b) these are the things that I don't understand is there a solution to understanding what these letters really mean. I know this may sound stupid but I am having a terrible time with algebra, and when you don't know anyone to teach you this stuff on a one on one and face to face and just taking notes from a computer screen its rough. Please help I'm really trying to learn this.
Missy
 
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