exponential growth

[jeca86]

Podunk had 500 people in 1988 and 605 in 1990. If the growth is exponential, find a formula for P(t)=the population of Podunk after 1988.

 

[stapel]

If the growth is exponential, then it is of the form:

. . . . .A = Pe^kt

...where "A" is the ending amount, "P" is the beginning amount, "k" is the growth (or, if negative, decay) constant, and "t" is the time.

Letting "t = 0" stand for "1988", you have been given:

. . . . .605 = 500e^2k

Solve for the growth constant, k.

Eliz.