SOLUTION: I have no idea how to solve this? The population of a small town is given by the table: Year: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 P: 3500, 3512, 3548, 3608 If the population is modele

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: I have no idea how to solve this? The population of a small town is given by the table: Year: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 P: 3500, 3512, 3548, 3608 If the population is modele      Log On


   

Question 1038728: I have no idea how to solve this?
The population of a small town is given by the table:
Year: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010
P: 3500, 3512, 3548, 3608
If the population is modeled by p(t) = at^2 + b where t is in years and t=0 corresponds to the year 1980 and t=1 corresponds the year 1990, find a.

Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use your data points.
3500=a%280%29%5E2%2Bb
b=3500
.
.
.
Then use any other point,
I'll use the 2010 data which would correspond to t=30
3608=a%2830%29%5E2%2B3500
900a=108
a=108%2F900
a=3%2F25
.
.
.
P=%283%2F25%29t%5E2%2B3500