SOLUTION: The current population of a small city is 41000 people. Due to a loss of jobs, the population is decreasing by an average of 175 people per year. How many years (from now) will it

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: The current population of a small city is 41000 people. Due to a loss of jobs, the population is decreasing by an average of 175 people per year. How many years (from now) will it       Log On


   

Question 1146999: The current population of a small city is 41000 people. Due to a loss of jobs, the population is decreasing by an average of 175 people per year. How many years (from now) will it take for the population to decrease to 38025 people?
A) Write an equation you can use to answer this question. Be sure all the numbers given above appear in your equation. Use x as your variable and use no commas in your equation.
The equation is
B) Solve your equation in part [A] for x.
Answer: x=
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the current year be +t+=+0+
+P%5B0%5D+=+41000+
Let the population at year +t+ = +P+
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You are given the two points:
( 0, 41000 )
( t, 38025 )
You are given the slope:
m+=+-175+
Assuming the equation is linear,
+P+=+m%2At+%2B+P%5B0%5D+
+P+=+-175t+%2B+41000+
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Find +t+ at the point ( t, 38025 )
+38025+=+-175t+%2B+41000+
+175t+=+2975+
+t+=+17+ years
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Just use +x+ instead of +t+ as
they wish