College Algebra, linear equation

[flauta.lizzy1126]

Please I need help finding a linear equation in the form of P=mt+b(y=mx+b), I am trying to find the linear growth of a population of a town.
Population 7000
linear growth rate 0.20

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Please I need help finding a linear equation in the form of P=mt+b(y=mx+b), I am trying to find the linear growth of a population of a town.
Population 7000
linear growth rate 0.20

P = mt + b

if growth rate is 0.2 ? what part of above equation is given to you?

Next, given (present) population = 7000

I would assume at t= 0 ? P = 0 ? b = ???

Please share your work with us, indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we may know where to begin to help you.

 

[BigGlenntheHeavy]

$\displaystyle First \ of \ all, \ populations \ don't \ grow \ linearly, \ they \ grow \ exponentially.$

$\displaystyle Man \ will \ always \ produced \ faster \ than \ the \ land \ he \ occupies \ can \ sustain \ him, \ hence$

$\displaystyle a \ land \ grab \ (known \ as \ war) \ is \ in \ order. \ Thomas \ Malthus.$

$\displaystyle Hence, \ the \ usual \ exponential \ growth \ model \ is \ P(t) \ = \ Ce^{kt}.$

$\displaystyle Therefore, \ for \ the \ data \ given, \ we \ have: \ P(t) \ = \ 7000e^{.2t}.$

$\displaystyle Note, \ if \ we \ put \ the \ data \ given \ into \ a \ linear \ function, \ then \ we \ get:$

$\displaystyle P(t) \ = \ .2t+7000 \ which \ doesn't \ make \ any \ sense \ (assuming \ t \ is \ in \ years).$

 

[Denis]

Kinda silly, but seems they're looking for: p(t) = 7000 + 7000(.2)t = 7000(1 + .2t)

http://www.brainmass.com/homework-help/ ... bra/163233

 

[mmm4444bot]

The poster used an indefinite article ("a population of a town"), so the implication is that the particular population to which the exercise refers is only one of a set of populations in the town.

This particular population could be, for example, the influx of illegal immigrants, who arrive in linear fashion at the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain their driver's license.

On second thought, that's a bad example. The given slope is way too low.

 

[Denis]

That town of 7000 has 1400 married couples (2800 people) who have no TV, and produce a kid per year.
The other 4200 are are the kids these 1400 couples created in the PAST 3 years. And there ya have it :idea: