Question 277893
Your formula should read:


A = 1236 * .97^T


The ^ sign indicates exponentiation.


The general formula for population increase or decrease is:


F = P * (1+G)^T where:


F = future population
P = present population
G = annual growth rate
T = number of years


Since your equation is shown as:


A = 1236 * .97^T, then:


F = A
P = 1236
1 + G = .97
T = number of years.


Since 1 + G = .97, this means that G = -.03 because 1 - .03 = .97


Your annual growth rate is -.03.


That's equivalent to -.03 * 100% = -3% which is a negative 3 percent per year.