Chapter 6: Problem 11
Devise the exponential growth function that fits the given data; then answer the accompanying questions. Be sure to identify the reference point\((t=0)\) and units of time. The population of a town with a 2010 population of 90,000 grows at a rate of \(2.4 \% /\) yr. In what year will the population double its initial value (to \(180,000) ?\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Convert the percentage growth rate to a decimal
Write the exponential growth function
Set up the equation to solve for t
Solve for t
Calculate the year when the population doubles
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Population Growth
Various factors affect population growth, such as:
- Birth rates
- Death rates
- Migration trends
Exponential Function
- Expression: \(N(t) = N_0 \times (1 + r)^t\)
- \(N(t)\) is the population at time \(t\)
- \(N_0\) is the initial population size
- \(r\) is the growth rate (as a decimal)
- \(t\) is the time that has passed
Logarithms
When we solve for time \(t\) in an exponential growth equation like \(2 = (1.024)^t\), we use logarithms to isolate \(t\):
- Take the logarithm of both sides: \(\log(2) = \log((1.024)^t)\)
- Utilize the power rule of logarithms, \(\log(a^b) = b\cdot\log(a)\): \(t \cdot \log(1.024) = \log(2)\)
- Solve for \(t\): \(t = \frac{\log(2)}{\log(1.024)}\)
Growth Rate Calculation
To calculate the growth rate, we convert the percentage into a decimal by dividing by 100. For example, a growth rate of 2.4% becomes \(0.024\).
The exponential growth model, \(N(t) = N_0 \times (1 + r)^t\), relies on:
- A known initial population, \(N_0\)
- A growth rate, \(r\), dictating how much the population increases annually
- Time \(t\) to predict future population size