Question

In 1994, the moose population in a park was measured to be 3000. By 1998, the population was measured

again to be 3400. If the population continues to change linearly:
Find a formula for the moose population, P, in terms of t, the years since 1990.
P(t)
What does your model predict the moose population to be in 2005?

Answer 1

P(t) = 100t +2600

4100 in 2005

Explanation:

You are given two points for (year, population) = (t, p):

(4, 3000), (8, 3400)

It is useful to use the two-point form of the equation for a line.

p = (p2 -p1)/(t2 -t1)(t -t1) +p1

p = (3400 -3000)/(8 -4)(t -4) +3000

p = 400/4(t -4) +3000

p = 100t +2600

P(t) = 100t +2600 . . . . written in functional form

In 2005, the population is predicted to be ...

P(15) = 100×15 +2600 = 4100