Question

The population of a town is modeled by the equation P = 16,581e0.02t where P represents the population t years after 2000. According to the model, what will the population of the town be in 2020?

Answer 1

2020 is 20 years after 2000, so put 20 where t is in the equation and evaluate.

P = 16,581e^(0.02·20) = 16,581e^0.4

P ≈ 24,736

The model predicts the population in 2020 will be about 24,736.