Problema Solution
In 1992, the moose population in a park was measured to be 4810. By 1996, the population was measured again to be 5850. If the population continues to change linearly:
Find a formula for the moose population, P, in terms of t, the years since 1990.
Answer provided by our tutors
a linear growth is represented by "y=mx+b" where 'm' is the slope and 'b' is the y-intercept.
The initial population in 1992 was 4810, hence b=4810.
slope is "rise/run":
m = (5850-4810)/(1996-1992)
m=260
Hence, to solve for 1990 and let 'p' represent the population:
p=260(1990-1992)+4810
p=4290
The moose population in 1990 would have been 4,290.