Question

In 2003, the population of an African country was about 19.5 million people, which is 1 million more than 5 times the population in 1950. Enter and solve an equation to find the approximate population p (in millions) in 1950.

Answer 1

Part 1) An equation is 15.7=3p+1

Part 2) The approximate population in 1950 was 4.9 million people

Explanation:

Let

p -----> the population in 1950 in million people

y -----> the population in 2003 in million people

we know that

y=3p+1 -----> equation A

y=15.7 ----> equation B

substitute equation B in equation A and solve for x

15.7=3p+1

3p=15.7-1

3p=14.7

p=4.9

therefore

The approximate population in 1950 was 4.9 million people