SOLUTION: The population of the Northgoat neighborhood has been growing steadily since 1987. In 1990, the population was 50600 people. In 1999, it was 61400 people. Find an equation in the f

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: The population of the Northgoat neighborhood has been growing steadily since 1987. In 1990, the population was 50600 people. In 1999, it was 61400 people. Find an equation in the f      Log On


   

Question 1010792: The population of the Northgoat neighborhood has been growing steadily since 1987. In 1990, the population was 50600 people. In 1999, it was 61400 people. Find an equation in the form y=mx+b, where x is the number of years past 1987 and y is the population of Northgoat.
Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
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Call m the number of people the population grows each year. Then from y = mx + b, we can write
y = mx + b
61400 = m(1999-1990) + 50600
We can find m by solving this...
61400 = 9m + 50600
9m = 10800
m = 1200 people per year