Math Problem Statement

Consider this scenario: A town's population has been decreasing at a constant rate. In 2010 the population was 5,200. By 2013 the population had dropped to 4,300. Assume this trend continues.

Identify the year in which the population will reach 0. (Round your answer down to the nearest year.)

Solution

To solve the problem, we first need to determine the rate at which the population is decreasing per year.

Step 1: Find the rate of decrease per year

The population in 2010 was 5,200, and by 2013 it had decreased to 4,300. The number of years between 2010 and 2013 is:

20132010=3 years2013 - 2010 = 3 \text{ years}

The decrease in population over these 3 years is:

5,2004,300=900 people5,200 - 4,300 = 900 \text{ people}

The rate of decrease per year is:

900 people3 years=300 people per year\frac{900 \text{ people}}{3 \text{ years}} = 300 \text{ people per year}

Step 2: Determine when the population will reach 0

To find when the population will reach 0, we use the initial population (5,200 people) and the rate of decrease (300 people per year). We set up the equation:

Population=5200300×t\text{Population} = 5200 - 300 \times t

where tt is the number of years after 2010.

We need to find tt when the population reaches 0:

5200300t=05200 - 300t = 0

Solve for tt:

300t=5200300t = 5200

t=520030017.33 yearst = \frac{5200}{300} \approx 17.33 \text{ years}

Step 3: Determine the exact year

Since tt is the number of years after 2010, we add 17 years to 2010:

2010+17=20272010 + 17 = 2027

Since the problem asks us to round down to the nearest year, the population will reach 0 in 2027.


Would you like more details on any of the steps or have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. What would be the population in 2020 if the trend continues?
  2. How would the model change if the population decrease rate was not constant?
  3. Can the rate of population decrease be expressed as a percentage per year?
  4. How would an external factor causing a sudden decrease in population affect this prediction?
  5. If the population decreases by a fixed percentage instead of a fixed amount, when would it reach 0?

Tip: When working with linear models like this, always check the rate of change and ensure it matches the context of the problem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Rate of Change

Formulas

Linear equation: Population = Initial Population - (Rate of Decrease × Time)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8