document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=277893>Question 277893</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The population of a small town has been gradually decreasing over the past number of years.  The equation: A = 1236(.97)t, where t is time in years, models the decrease in the town’s population.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "By what percent is the population decreasing yearly?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer:  %<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #202313 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Theo><B>Theo(13342)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Theo><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Theo><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=202313\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Your formula should read:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A = 1236 * .97^T\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The ^ sign indicates exponentiation.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The general formula for population increase or decrease is:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "F = P * (1+G)^T where:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "F = future population<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = present population<BR>\n" );
document.write( "G = annual growth rate<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T = number of years\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Since your equation is shown as:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A = 1236 * .97^T, then:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "F = A<BR>\n" );
document.write( "P = 1236<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1 + G = .97<BR>\n" );
document.write( "T = number of years.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Since 1 + G = .97, this means that G = -.03 because 1 - .03 = .97\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Your annual growth rate is -.03.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "That's equivalent to -.03 * 100% = -3% which is a negative 3 percent per year.\r<BR>\n" );
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