A town has a population of 1700 people at time T=0. In each of the following cases, write a formula for the population P, of the town as a function of year T. Hint: One of the answers is linear and one is exponential.

(a) The population increases by 90 people per year

(b) The population increases 4 percent a year

Given:

town population = 1700 at time 0.

formula for the population of the town as a function of year T.

a) population increases by 90 people per year.

This is a linear function.

p (t) = 1700 + 90t

b) population increases by 4% per year

This is an exponential funtion.

p (t) = 1700 (1+0.04) ^t

Assuming t = 5

p (5) = 1700 + 90 (5) = 1700 + 450 = 2150

p (5) = 1700 (1+0.04) ^5 = 1700 (1.04) ^5 = 1700 (1.2167) = 2068

I believe it's (b) because you multiply the population each year ... not 100% sure tho