Question

The population of Owsely County, Kentucky, has been decreasing at an average rate of about 0.3% each year.

In 2010, its population was 88,647. If the trend continues, predict the population in 2020.

Answer 1

To predict the population in 2020 given a 0.3% decrease each year from 2010, you can use the following formula:

Population in 2020 = Population in 2010 * (1 - Annual Decrease Rate)^Number of Years

In this case:
Population in 2010 = 88,647
Annual Decrease Rate = 0.3% = 0.003
Number of Years = 2020 - 2010 = 10 years

Now, plug these values into the formula:

Population in 2020 = 88,647 * (1 - 0.003)^10

Population in 2020 ≈ 88,647 * (0.997)^10 ≈ 88,647 * 0.970 = 85,980 (rounded to the nearest whole number)

So, if the trend of a 0.3% decrease in population each year continues, the predicted population of Owsley County, Kentucky, in 2020 would be approximately 85,980.