Answer:
y = 32,000 + 2560(x)
Explanation:
After maintaining a stable population of 32,000 for several years, an exponential growth of 8% from 32,000 occurs in the next year, raising the population to 34560.
To calculate this,
8% of 32000 = 8/100 × 32000 = 2560
Now, adding this growth to the original population results in:
2560 + 32000 = 34, 560
The figure of 34560 represents the population after 1 year.
To predict the town's population over x years, expressed with y as the population, the following formula can be applied:
y = 32,000 + 2560(x)
Testing the equation with values of x = 4 years and 3 years yields:
y = 32,000 + 2560(4) = 32,000 + 10240 = 42240 people will reside in the town in four years
y = 32,000 + 2560(3) = 32,000 + 7680 = 39680 people will reside in the town in three years.