Question

A town’s population increases at a constant rate. In $2010$the population was $55,000$. By $2012$ the population had increased to $76,000$. If this trend continues, predict the population in $2016$.

Answer 1

Step-1: Find the rate of increase in population:

Given: Population in $2010$$=55,000$

Population in the year $2012$$=76,000$

Difference in the population over $2$ years $=76000-55000$

$\Rightarrow$ $=21000$

Rate of increase of population $=\frac{21000}{2}$

$=10500/yr.$

Step-2: Find the population in $2016$:

As population increases at a constant rate.

So, population after $6$ years $=55000+10500\left(6\right)$

$\Rightarrow$ $=55000+63000$

$\Rightarrow$ $=118,000$

Hence, the population in $2016$ is $118,000$.